Are You Poor in Spirit Or Are You a Snob? Do you think you are better than thou? I hope not: (Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3). Anyone of us who live in America could be considered rich compared to people in a third world country. Some have many things handed on a silver platter and others have worked their way up through an education. The rich elite are a small population, most people fit in the category of working class.
Many times I’ve tried to associate with different people as a Christian and when I was a non-Christian, and I’ve come to conclusion, it was not going to work. I cannot befriend them because frankly they are a snob. Jesus came to a poor family and in Mary’s declaration to the Lord it was how he exalts the poor and puts down the proud. Jesus was born to a woman of humble birth and Mary prophesied that rulers would be brought down. A baby was such a threat to King Herod that he had all the babies killed three and under. (He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. Luke 1:51-52)
The Bible warns about being “high-minded” It’s really getting rid of the snobby attitude and give it to God, because it says that “God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.” I don’t want to be resisted by God. (But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6)
Be not high-minded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shall be cut off. Romans 11:20-22
Not all rich people are snobs. Many rich people use their money for humanitarian causes. I realize that children become snobs because most likely their parents were snobs. I know because in my attempted association with running around with a rich friend in junior high school, I had problems with her snobby attitude, and witnessed first-hand she copped the bad attitude (from her parents).
(Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17)
Remember what Pilate said ----don’t you know who you are talking to? I have authority to kill you. Jesus said he would not have any authority unless it was given to him---which he got his authority from Satan to kill Jesus. (Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." John 19:10-11)
I see the example of Joseph, that although he was second in command to Pharaoh, he purposely told Pharaoh that his family was shepherds because the Egyptians despised shepherds. He was trying to keep separate from the Egyptians, their gods and bad attitudes. That may be a reason that Saul never accepted David as his son-in-law in that he was a shepherd too. (Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, "I will go up and speak to Pharaoh and will say to him, When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, 'What is your occupation? You should answer, 'Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.' Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians." Genesis 46:33-34).
What is interesting if you look at the children of Israel even though they were making bricks and were in bondage they complained about when God only fed them manna and quail in the wilderness. They kept complaining what they missed eating in Egypt. (We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost--also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. Numbers 11:5...And do not grumble, as some of them did--and were killed by the destroying angel 1 Cor. 10:10)
Recently, when I was praying about God’s anointing in my life to minister, He showed me that He has called me to minister to the poor. If I want His anointing, I have to abide in His calling ("The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19). It’s those who are poor in spirit and brokenhearted, who recognize their need for the gospel. Some may be called to minister to the rich, but it’s not my calling. When I first became a Christian, I spent a lot of time in street evangelism and some prison ministry.
(For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10)
It says that some have "wandered from the faith." We can trace the love of money to the root of crime, prostitution, gambling, the mafia, drug and human trafficking, theft and robberies. I was talking to my friends how life used to be simple. I used to spend most of my time as a child playing "Mother may I" when I was growing up, or hide n' seek outside. Children had to use their imagination. Now we can flop in front of a $50.00 video game or the television and veg out and it programs our imaginations. We don't have to use our imagination. My friends were talking how watching a movie made from a novel can be a disappointment at times.
2 Timothy 3:1-5: from such turn away; for"highminded" is listed among "unholy" things:
(This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.)
(Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits (do not be conceited). Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Romans 12:16-17)
(Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. Proverbs 11:28)
(People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 1 Tim. 6:9)
Many times I’ve tried to associate with different people as a Christian and when I was a non-Christian, and I’ve come to conclusion, it was not going to work. I cannot befriend them because frankly they are a snob. Jesus came to a poor family and in Mary’s declaration to the Lord it was how he exalts the poor and puts down the proud. Jesus was born to a woman of humble birth and Mary prophesied that rulers would be brought down. A baby was such a threat to King Herod that he had all the babies killed three and under. (He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. Luke 1:51-52)
The Bible warns about being “high-minded” It’s really getting rid of the snobby attitude and give it to God, because it says that “God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.” I don’t want to be resisted by God. (But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6)
Be not high-minded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shall be cut off. Romans 11:20-22
Not all rich people are snobs. Many rich people use their money for humanitarian causes. I realize that children become snobs because most likely their parents were snobs. I know because in my attempted association with running around with a rich friend in junior high school, I had problems with her snobby attitude, and witnessed first-hand she copped the bad attitude (from her parents).
(Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17)
Remember what Pilate said ----don’t you know who you are talking to? I have authority to kill you. Jesus said he would not have any authority unless it was given to him---which he got his authority from Satan to kill Jesus. (Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." John 19:10-11)
I see the example of Joseph, that although he was second in command to Pharaoh, he purposely told Pharaoh that his family was shepherds because the Egyptians despised shepherds. He was trying to keep separate from the Egyptians, their gods and bad attitudes. That may be a reason that Saul never accepted David as his son-in-law in that he was a shepherd too. (Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, "I will go up and speak to Pharaoh and will say to him, When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, 'What is your occupation? You should answer, 'Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.' Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians." Genesis 46:33-34).
What is interesting if you look at the children of Israel even though they were making bricks and were in bondage they complained about when God only fed them manna and quail in the wilderness. They kept complaining what they missed eating in Egypt. (We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost--also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. Numbers 11:5...And do not grumble, as some of them did--and were killed by the destroying angel 1 Cor. 10:10)
Recently, when I was praying about God’s anointing in my life to minister, He showed me that He has called me to minister to the poor. If I want His anointing, I have to abide in His calling ("The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19). It’s those who are poor in spirit and brokenhearted, who recognize their need for the gospel. Some may be called to minister to the rich, but it’s not my calling. When I first became a Christian, I spent a lot of time in street evangelism and some prison ministry.
(For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10)
It says that some have "wandered from the faith." We can trace the love of money to the root of crime, prostitution, gambling, the mafia, drug and human trafficking, theft and robberies. I was talking to my friends how life used to be simple. I used to spend most of my time as a child playing "Mother may I" when I was growing up, or hide n' seek outside. Children had to use their imagination. Now we can flop in front of a $50.00 video game or the television and veg out and it programs our imaginations. We don't have to use our imagination. My friends were talking how watching a movie made from a novel can be a disappointment at times.
2 Timothy 3:1-5: from such turn away; for"highminded" is listed among "unholy" things:
(This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.)
(Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits (do not be conceited). Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Romans 12:16-17)
(Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. Proverbs 11:28)
(People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 1 Tim. 6:9)
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