Pilot Knob Lutheran Church Poverty for Abundance 4/2/2025
When we consider what Jesus did on the cross by providing The Divine Exchange we may not have considered poverty and abundance.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. Jesus endured our poverty that we might share His abundance. If Jesus endured our poverty; if Jesus had lost everything hanging from the cross we could say that poverty is not a blessed condition, it’s not a good thing. Poverty is the opposite of abundance.
What is abundance? Several hundred-thousand dollars in the bank, a million or more in a nest egg? Abundance according to scripture is having enough for our own needs and something lift over to give others. 2 Corinthians 9:8 God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. How does this happen? Hard work? No? It is a free gift given by grace from a loving God. Unfortunately, many Christians think that it is more spiritual to remain poor, which in my mind is a relative term. Some churches carry out this attitude toward their pastor thinking it will keep him humble and depending on God all the more to provide for his need apart from the church. In other words, keep him poor so he becomes more spiritual and closer to God.
Notice what we are to do with some of the abundance. We are to serve God with it with joy. It matters not the size and it’s not just referring to money. When we fail to serve God through unbelief or disobedience with what already belongs to Him, what will we experience. Deuteronomy 28:45, 47-48 All these curses will come on you…., because you did not obey the Lord your God….Because you did not serve the Lord your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the Lord sends against you. We will experience four things: hunger, thirst, nakedness and the need of all things. In other words, absolute poverty.
Jesus took the full poverty curse upon the cross that His children would have abundance. Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
God provides abundantly not simply for ourselves, but to give to the needy and organizations that support those in need and work to promote biblical principles. Giving is a very important principle of the Christian life. Giving has nothing to do with large amounts, at the same time I think He gets tired of seeing tips of one-and two-dollar bills. It’s the giver who receives the greater blessing.
More on Sunday.
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Today: 4:30 Confirmation class.
Sunday 6, 9:00 Morning worship. Sermon: Made Poor to be Rich
10:15 Sunday School for all.
2:00 Living Last Supper practice.
Tuesday 8, Council/deacon meetings.
Sunday April 27, 2:00 GriefShare session. Lesson # 13
Coming: April 13, 4:00 at PKLC: Living Last Supper performance.
If you have an article or God sighting you would like to share with the congregation please submit it for publication in the Briefings.pastorbob@pilotknob.org
Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran
Our service also airs on: KGLO 1300 AM at 10:00 AM, and KIOW 107.3 FM at 7:00 AM
