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WAS JESUS REALLY POOR?

by John Seun  
1/25/2012 / Christian Living

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for
your sakes he became poor, that ye through
his poverty might be rich. 2Cor. 8:9

I often laugh when I hear people attack the prosperity preaching pastors or churches. Some will even go as far as arguing erroneously that Christ was humble (poor).

Christianity is a call to enjoyment not endurement, it is a call to freedom not bondage, a call to wealth and riches not to be poor and a call to dominion not tribulations.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. Psalm 34:10

You (as a Christian) are not permitted to suffer lack of any kind. That is what separates you from the unbelievers and that is your proof of redemption. You are sick spiritually if, after you have been genuinely saved by Christ, you are still poor. You can not have a rich father and be poor. Something must be terribly wrong with a fine and fresh looking tree not to produce good fruits.

The book of Revelation shows how beautiful and elegantly furnished heaven is in Rev. 21:21: The twelve gates were twelve pearls; each gate was made from a single pearl. The street of the city was of pure gold, transparent as glass. Oh! Your father is very very rich and it should be "like father like son". When you are redeemed you gained visa to heaven, that is, you are not affected by the things in the 'world'.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33.

When you see a good looking church that you think must have cost a fortune to build don't squints, a wealthy God deserve an elegant house just like the one Solomon built (2 Chronicles 3 &4).

JESUS A RICH MESSIAH
Many will agree with me that Jesus came from heaven, that is, from God. He was sent from God as the second Adam to redeem mankind. So how can a son of God that He has sent to give wealth to the poor be poor?
I will try to give few instances in the Bible that support the fact that Jesus Christ ran a wealthy ministry and despite his riches he always have around Him people who are willing and ready to finance His activities (Luke 8:1-3).

Feeding the five thousand:
This is a clear demonstration of God multiplication power. The disciples asked Him to let the multitude go because the day was far spent according to the account of Matt. 14:13-21 but Christ insisted that they should feed over five thousand people before sending them back home. Verse 16 says:
They don't have to leave, answered Jesus. You yourselves give them something to eat! (GNT)

He knew there should be food to feed all of them if not there was money to buy more than enough that is why He did not ask if they had food or money. He just gave them a direct order: 'feed them' but the disciples tried to embarrass Him by saying we don't have enough and He shew them that He has no intention of questioning how the food was eaten or how the money was spent or shared by writing a cheque on the heavenly account which fail not. And just like the Israelites in the wilderness men were given angels' food.

He paid tax with money from fishes' mouth:
Another clear demonstration of Christ's affluence is seen in the book of Matt. 17:24-27.

When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter. They asked him, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"
"Certainly," he answered. Peter went into the house. Before he could speak, Jesus asked him, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the world collect fees or taxes? Is it from their family members or from other people?"
"From other people," Peter answered. Jesus said to him, "Then the family members are exempt. However, so that we don't create a scandal, go to the sea and throw in a hook. Take the first fish that you catch. Open its mouth, and you will find a coin. Give that coin to them for you and me."
When the tax collectors asked Peter for tax he said 'certainly' and was heading toward the house to bring out money but Christ demonstrated how easy it should be for all believers to meet their needs by directing Peter to go get a fish and remove a coin to pay the tax collectors. As if He was trying to say: 'oh! You thought I am poor? Peter let show them that in this kingdom we lack nothing, go get a fish and remove money from it mouth to pay this man'.
Casting of lots on His garment:
After the crucifixion of Christ the Bible made us understand that the same soldiers that crucified Him cast lots on His garment. Why would they do that? Some people may say to fulfill prophesy but honestly the soldiers did not do that to fulfill prophesy. They might not even be aware that such prophesy ever existed. So if not prophesy why will they bet or throw dice to win His garment? The only logical explanation is because the garment was made of high quality textile or would they have thrown dice to win a rag?

It shows that Christ was up about His father's business in fine and expensive clothing- does that sound like a poor messiah? No.

The soldiers said to each other, "Let's not rip it apart. Let's throw dice to see who will get it." In this way the Scripture came true: "They divided my clothes among themselves. They threw dice for my clothing." So that's what the soldiers did. John 19:24

A rich man burial:

There was a good man who had God's approval. His name was Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish council, 51but he had not agreed with what they had done. He was from the Jewish city of Arimathea, and he was waiting for the kingdom of God.
52He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53After he took it down from the cross, he wrapped it in linen. Then he laid the body in a tomb cut in rock, a tomb in which no one had ever been buried. 54It was Friday, and the day of worship was just beginning.
55The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed closely behind Joseph. They observed the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56Then they went back to the city and prepared spices and perfumes. But on the day of worship they rested according to the commandment. Luke 23:50-56

The above scripture shows that Christ received a dignified burial as He was buried not just in any how tomb but a tomb that no man has never been buried and His body was adorned with ointment and perfumes.

Right from birth Christ has demonstrated wealth. You may recall the wise men that traveled several miles to bring Him gifts. So for any one to think Christianity is all about accepting whatever comes one way is wrong. He said he has come to give us life in abundant, to take something less is nothing but ignorance.

I like to worship in expensive churches because my God is not poor and there is nothing that we can give Him that he does not have- He owns the heaven and earth.

Friends, please take your birth right. The prodigal son knew this and He returned. If you are out already you need to return so you can take your inheritance.

Like father, like son.

Seun John Elere
[email protected]

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