25 November 2013 - kingdom wealth

25 November 2013 - kingdom wealth

He said, “I tell you truly,
this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

Kingdom wealth is very different from worldly wealth.  From the perspective of the world we see a "poor widow".  But from the perspective of the Kingdom she gives "more than all the rest".  This may even mean that she gives more than all of the supposedly wealthy people combined. 

The wealthy are at risk for being very poor in the Kingdom.  We aren't necessarily poor because we are wealthy.  But worldly things can ensnare us.  They can captivate our wills.  We squander our Kingdom wealth when we choose these things instead of the higher goods of God and neighbor.  Our identities come to be associated with things instead of with who we are in God.  This is the trap to which the scribes succumb: 

"Be on guard against the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and love greetings in marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets."

When we do this, instead of offering God our "whole livelihood", we find that we "devour the houses of widows" and try to make ourselves feel OK about it when we "as a pretext, receite lengthy prayers."  Is this all our offerings are?  Pretexts to be recklessly selfish?  

Ultimately, we need to trust in God more than in our wealth.  Our self-image should be based on who he is rather than a false picture of our strength.  Only then can we give our "whole livelihood" to God, holding nothing back.  If he is first are able to use the things of this world as though not using them (1 Cor. 7:31).  We aren't be enslaved by the fear that they will be taken away.  God's grace is sufficient for us (cf. 2 Cor. 12:9). 

When we know who he is in a personal way we can rely on him more than things or status.

“Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.”

This is the secret that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah know.  They are able to turn down food from the royal table and thereby avoid defiling themselves because they know God will provide.

Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Then see how we look in comparison with the other young men
who eat from the royal table,
and treat your servants according to what you see.”

And indeed they end up looking "healthier and better fed than any of the young men who ate from the royal table."  And not only that, God blesses them in abundance for the roll he has for them. 

To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency
in all literature and science,
and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams.

This is how Kingdom wealth works.  When we trust in God we always have all we need.

“Blessed are you on the throne of your Kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.”