I like many "moderately" wealthy people who have constructed a false narrative for myself. One in which I categorized myself as poor. Which I am not. I tell myself I am poor relative to my peers. At least the ones that have bigger houses than me. I am poor relative to my peers with newer cars than me. I am poor relative to my peers with higher-paying jobs than me. Poor relative to my peers who have fancy job titles and more advanced degrees. This is of course, false. I am not poor. If challenged for a second, by reality, I would have to admit that I am not worried about where my next few hundred meals are coming from. Although I don't want the heartache and headache of getting robbed; it would not destroy my station in life, because not only do I have stuff, most of it is insured in some way: home insurance, car insurance, life insurance.
Is it possible to be poor in spirit, if you are not actually poor?
Is it possible to be totally dependant on God, while carrying multiple kinds on insurance policies?
No, not if I think of myself as only me. Not if my identity ends at the parameter of my skin. At best or perhaps worst I could fake it through public prayer and acting humble while living in fear rather than freedom. Fear of being found out and fear of losing my amassed possessions and prestige.
So how does the rich man get through the eye of the needle?
- Larger identity: We rather than I.
- Stewardship: His rather than mine.
- Discipline: Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
- Vassal hood: Use bestowed authority in keeping with the desires of our Lord.
I am not poor. I am rich. Blessed with life, freedom to choose, and the ability to love.
I give thanksgiving to God.
I pray that my possessions are not chains and that I hold them lightly.
That I enjoy these things as if they are library books and that I return them on time.
I pray that accomplishments do not corrupt my soul to stand alone in pride.
Nothing is accomplished alone.
Thanks be to the Lord.
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