Living poor

Although the Jews in the time of Jesus were waiting for an earthly king to come and save them, he was born into the working class family of a poor carpenter and his wife.  It is difficult to imagine they had much in the way of extras, although I suppose they had the basic necessities.  Every society has its haves and have nots, and the world that Jesus lived in was no different in that way than the one we inhabit today.  Jesus learned to live life the hard way, in preparation for the ministry years to come.  And I think he learned about what life is like for the majority of the people he came to save for eternity.

It is easy to envy those with a lot of money.  Life looks a lot easier when you never have to worry about paying the mortgage or the electric bill, and no is what you say because you want to instead of have to because you can't afford something.  But having too much money comes with its own set of problems, and there is a reason that Jesus said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than the rich to get into heaven.  Money allows you the illusion that you have control, and creates the impression that you don't need any help with your life.

I have spent quite a lot of my life living on the edge.  I have had to balance which bills to pay, how to manage with too little money and too many obligations, and have had to learn how to say no.  It has forced me into prayer, to ask for help, to realize my dependence on a God who provides for every need, but not necessarily every want.  Although having more money would be nice, it is not a substitute for the understanding I have gained by my dependence on God's mercy, and my trust that somehow God will make it all work out.  And he has.  Every single time.

Today I am grateful for being poor.  It has given me an understanding of my dependence on God for all my needs, and keeps my eyes focused on him.  There is nothing more I truly need.