March 9

Poor or Rich?

Poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything (2 Corinthians 6:10).

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Song: “A Child of the King”

Our temporary medical clinic in the mountains of Jamaica felt like a sanctuary. Patients joyfully sang praises to God while they waited to see doctors and dentists. Little girls in fancy dresses with multiple matching hair bows looked like flowers in bloom. My counseling office had the quaint aura of an era long past. I felt wonderfully at home there, handing out toothbrushes, combs, and soap as I listened to stories from the people and talked with them about Jesus.

The day was nearly over when she came in, a simply dressed, solitary older lady with braided hair and warm eyes. As we chatted, I handed her a bar of soap. I was not prepared for the intensity of her response. She clasped the gift to her chest with both hands, as if it were gold, and looked at me in wonder.

“Last night I used my last tiny sliver of soap,” she exclaimed. “Who can I trust but God?”

She shared with me how God faithfully meets her needs. She counts on Him, even if everyone else fails her.

Though poor, the worshipping lady enriched me. Having little of the world’s goods, she yet possessed everything, because she had intimate fellowship with the ultimate source, God himself. Wealth and poverty in the kingdom of Heaven look different than they do in kingdoms of the world.

We are amazed and grateful, Lord, that You gave up Heaven’s riches and became earthly poor in order to make us spiritually rich. Who can we trust but You? Amen.