The Rich,
Poor
Church
“I know your… poverty but
you are rich” (Revelation 2:9)
The church of Smyrna was poor by all human measurements.
They were probably a small church with not many members.
Financially, they were also not prosperous like the church of Laodicea. No doubt others had mocked them
because they were not big and thriving like some
churches, or like the Jewish synagogue in town.
Certainly, in comparison to the massive temples to the
heathen gods, this group of persecuted believers seemed
totally insignificant.
Maybe your church is like
the
church of
Smyrna – small, financially
weak and lacking many of the facilities, staff and
budgets of some other churches. Maybe there is just a
handful of believers meeting in a home but seeking to be
obedient to the Lord and His Word.
I know exactly how it
feels to be part of a small church. I know the
embarrassment (not that we have need to be) when someone
asks how big our church is and then proceeds to tell you
that they are part of a church of several thousand. I
know the look that implies that there is something wrong
with you and your church. The raised eyebrows that seem
to question whether you are part of a sect or a cult and
even the direct statement that indicates that there has
to be something wrong for your church to be so small. I
know how it feels to see the wonderful facilities and
technology of bigger churches not to mention the staff
running around doing all sorts of wonderful projects. I
also know how it feels not to be able to tackle various
ministry projects because there just is no money for
more than just the basics.
Yes, sometimes we feel we
must be doing something wrong and, surely the Lord
should bless if we are in His will. There are many
questions and struggles that flood the minds of those
who are part of a small church. Then, of course, the
Devil is always ready to sow doubt, fear and accusation,
and often he uses other Christians to do his dirty work.
Maybe you feel this way
about yourself – that you are not prosperous and seem to
just make it from one week to the next. I have heard
many Christians say they are tired of struggling
financially, spiritually and emotionally. No wonder the
empty promises of the prosperity deceivers sound so
attractive to so many. Off course we all want to be the
head and not the tail. Off course we all want to be
people of influence and none of us want to have to count
the pennies to survive.
BUT Jesus says of the
church in
Smyrna that they are rich, even
though they are poor in human terms! Now I have to
immediately add that this does not mean that all poor
people are rich in God’s eyes. Financial poverty or
numerical weakness is no guarantee of spiritual
prosperity just as there may be a few (people and
churches) that are financially prosperous and who are
spiritually blessed as well. The Lord says of the church
that He knows their works and that their works
prove their richness. The point is that we cannot count
God’s blessing in money, numbers, health or size because
God’s standards are very different to man’s standards.
What we need is people and churches that are rich in
God’s eyes, even though they may be poor from man’s
perspective.
Of the seven churches the
Lord addresses in Revelation only two do not receive any
rebuke or correction and it was the two weakest ones in
human terms. In only one of the seven cities represented
by those seven churches did the Christian witness
survive through to the 21st century – the
city of Smyrna
(modern Izmir).
Yes, they were poor,
persecuted, and many of them were killed for the Faith,
but the Lord was pleased with them because they had
discovered the true riches laid up in heaven. In this
respect they continued the brave tradition of the saints
from the Old Testament who “were tortured… had trial of
mockings and scourgings… chains and imprisonment… (who)
were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were
slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins
and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented…”
(Hebrews 11:35-37)
It is hard not to listen
to, and be affected by what people say, but we need to
learn to be concerned with the Master’s opinion only. We
all want approval, but man’s approval is almost
certainly a sign that we do not have the Lord’s
approval. “…We have been approved by God to be entrusted
with the gospel… not as pleasing men, but God who tests
our hearts… Nor did we seek glory from men” (1
Thessalonians 2:4-6).
We would not be human if
we did not look for some outward sign of God’s blessing
and approval. We all wish that fire would come down from
heaven, consume the sacrifice and vindicate us before
all the scoffers and false prophets. But the reality is
that we may die without seeing any outward manifestation
of God’s blessing. But, again, we are not alone. It says
of the heroes of the Old Testament that “These all died
in faith, not having received the promises, but having
seen them afar off were assured of them (and) embraced
them” (Hebrews 11:13).
So, take courage and say
with Paul: “I take pleasure in infirmities, in
reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses,
for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am
strong…” (1Corinthians 12:10). There is just one
condition: It has to be “for Christ’s sake”. If we are
small, weak, poor, mocked and persecuted because we are
walking in obedience to Him and His Word, then we can
rejoice. “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a
thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's
matters” (1Peter 4:15). If we are financially
embarrassed because we have lived wasteful lives or have
not worked diligently, then we are suffering the natural
consequences of our own slothfulness. So, lets work for
the Master with all our might and if He chooses to
confirm our labors with blessings and fruit in this
life, then that is good, but if He chooses to reward us
only on That Day then let us…
“be patient, brethren,
until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits
for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently
for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You
also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming
of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:7,8)
Anton Bosch
antonbosch@sbcglobal.net
3310
W Magnolia Blvd
Burbank,
CA, 91505
Tel
818 846 5520
www.abcd.co.za/plumbline/
www.abcd.co.za/offi