What's Your Struggle? Financial

Revelation 2:8-11  The Church in Smyrna
Do you know what it's like to be broke?  I do.  There was a time in the early years of planting Real Life that I didn't make any money.  In fact, when the economy crashed we lost our home to the bank.  It was a devastating time in our lives.  I questioned everything I thought God had called me to do here in ElDorado.  My life, ministry, direction, decisions... everything.  Isn't strange how a lack of financial resources will make you question life more than just about any other situation or challenge?

The church in Smyrna knew this all too well.  They were in such a terrible financial place Jesus says, I know your afflictions and your poverty.  That's not where anyone wants to be.  What's worse, perhaps because of their poverty, there were Jews there that slandered the church.  They said that because the church was poor they weren't really following God.  That was a common misconception in Jesus day (and today), that financial blessing and abundance follows faithful service.  I think the Apostles would disagree with that.  They were often broke, destitute and struggling without adequate financial resources.  But being poor also puts you at a disadvantage because often people believe that, because of your situation, they can exploit you, ridicule you, treat you badly or even persecute you simply because of your position.  You have nothing, so they can offer scraps and expect you to be grateful and happy with that.

This is a great struggle for churches today.  Especially when they see the mega church down the street with money to burn and they feel inadequate and can begin to feel that God doesn't love them or what they are doing in the Kingdom as much as the bigger churches.  This church was in a bad spot, financial burdens within and slander and oppression from without.  It was maybe because of their poor financial position that the Jews felt it was okay to go so far as to persecute them.

This is a big struggle for Church people as well as non-church people.  Poverty and affliction are followed closely by depression.  You look around at others in church and notice what they have and what you lack.  Those "with" can begin to believe it's because they are living right that God is blessing them.  Many a rich person has gotten to their eternal destination surprised because they thought they were doing everything right based on what they had in this life.  On the other hand, if you don't have financial resources you can begin to feel as though there is something wrong with your service, your life, your devotion to God.  While giving/tithing do a play a part in our financial success it's important to remember that financial success is not the litmus test for faithful followers.  Nowhere in the Bible is financial blessing tied to righteous living, again, ask the Apostles about this.

Jesus encouragement to the church is not to strive more or do more or be more, it is simply to endure for a short time more in order to receive the reward.

If you're smuggling with a lack of financial resources God wants you to know that in His sight you are rich.  What is going on in your life on earth is not indicative of what is happening in the heavenly realms.  Your poverty here may be exposing your riches there.  Check out James 1:2-4 and be encouraged that through these temporary struggles you are being made mature, complete and lacking nothing.   In fact, the poor should take pride in their high position... (while you're in James read verses 9-10 too!).