‘Because you say,
“I am rich, and have
become wealthy, and
have need of nothing,”
and you do not know
that you are wretched and
miserable and poor and
blind and naked…

Revelation 3:17

Rich people can’t go to heaven.
Rich people can’t  enjoy fellowship with God.
Rich people cannot be saved.

 Let me elaborate a bit (now that I got your attention).

I’m not talking about monetary wealth (although that can sometimes
get in the way as well (see  Jesus’ statement in Matthew 19:24).

I’m talking about the attitude of the heart we have — that echoes that of the
Laeodiceans in Revelation 3. 

The one that that says: ” I’ve got it together. I’m sufficient in every area
of life. ”

Jesus said: 

                   “I didn’t come for people that think
                    they are healthy — I came for those
                     who know they are sick.” (Mark 2:17)

Jesus came to heal sick people. Poor people.
Jesus saves people in need of saving.

In my line of work, I deal with destitute people every day.
People who have totally messed up their lives with sin.
People who are distressed, depressed, miserable and
angry.

If everything was wonderful in their life —
they wouldn’t call me.

But they depend on my agency and other social service
agencies to help them, because they need help.

Sometimes we like to think that we are invincible.
We are proud.
We are self-sufficient.
We are in need of nothing.

As my daughter says: “I can do it MYSELF!”
And that’s pretty much our mentality.

I’ve noticed that the rich and many in the middle class
of America don’t really experience God because in a sense,
they don’t really need God.

Because if an emergency arises — there are:

• Credit Cards
• Doctors
• Pills
• Overtime
• Savings accounts
• Good old Fashioned hard work
• and worst case scenario… Government benefits and services.

Money might not be able to buy you love, but it can
insulate you to some extent from the effects of sin –
at least for awhile.

And it can protect you ( to some extent)
from the uncertainties of life.

But money isn’t the only thing that we hide behind.

You can be broke and stubborn.
You can be falling and deny it.

It’s not only our money and economic situation.
It’s our heart.

Our own stubborn, self-sufficient hearts can
keep us from our Savior.

From salvation and from experiencing
the daily reality of Christ.

It’s like this:
I go through my day on my own strength,
thinking I can’t handle any situation that
arises– pushing myself hard to get everything
done and everything right.
An unexpected bill comes up — No problem.
I’ve got it covered.
A family member is sick — no problem.
I’ll run to the pharmacy.
My child is out of control — no problem.
I can be tougher.

And because I don’t make a habit of
running with every little situation to
Jesus — I don’t experience

• His power
• His wisdom
• His provision
• His voice
• His gifts
• His presence
• His REALITY.

Beautifully, the converse is true as well.

When I realize that basically I’m an idiot –
I can’t do anything apart from Christ
and I better run to him for every little
thing — I get it all.

And Jesus becomes REALITY to me.
I experience

And it’s a beautiful thing.

Are you rich?
Are you in need of nothing?

 Those who are rich and in need of nothing, get nothing.

Those who are weak enough to admit their poverty —
get everything.

Choose wisely.