BEING POOR AND UGLY

I was reading this morning in Acts chapter 3 when Peter and John encountered the lame beggar near the temple. And, I was listening to what Peter said to the man with fresh ears. “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” The first part of that statement captured my attention today. Basically, Peter was saying, “I don’t have any money.” I don’t know if Peter just didn’t have cash on him, because he was carrying his credit card. But, I seriously doubt it. I don’t know if Peter had a stash of gold back at the upper room, but I doubt it. I think Peter probably didn’t have much expendable income. I think Peter was relatively poor. By current American standards, he may have been incredibly poor, in fact. And so many times we can look at poverty as a negative thing. But, in this instance, I stop to ask myself, “What if Peter had money on him at that moment?” That was clearly what the lame man was looking and asking for. (Pause for a moment to wonder how many times we settle for asking for something lesser - like money - when what we really need is something greater - like healing. That’s another blog entirely.) If Peter had money on him, the whole situation may have turned out differently:

    Man sees Peter and John and asks for money.
    Peter reaches into his pockets and hands him a coin or two.
    Peter says “have a nice day! God bless you!” and goes away with a good feeling.
    The lame man keeps being lame, but has some money for a meal that day.

I have found that often, when we have plenty of physical resources, we can rely on those to solve the problems that arise. I’m sick. I have insurance. I go to the doctor and get medicine. Problem solved. My daughter needs clothes. I figure out what store is having the best sale and I go buy them. Problem solved. My car is out of gas. I go to the gas station and fill it up. Problem solved.

There have been times in the last year that someone in our family has been sick, and we couldn’t afford to go to the doctor. There have been times in the last year that our kids have needed clothes and we couldn’t afford to go to the store (even the thrift store!) and buy them. There have been times in the past year when our van was out of gas, and we didn’t have money to go fill it up. And, here is what I have learned: Having fewer physical resources can make it easier to focus on our spiritual resources. I pray more often for healing when I don’t have money to send someone to the doctor. I am quicker to celebrate how the Body of Christ can share resources (like hand-me-down clothes!) when I don’t have money to buy clothes. And so on.

Clearly, being poor can be a really good thing. James 2:5 says that God has chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him.  It’s interesting that I am much more aware of the promises of God when I have less money in my bank account or gas in my tank. The promises of God are my insurance policy. The promises of God are the currency by which I can live and move. Hmmm.

Do you find it noteworthy that when God sent His son into the world, he sent him to be poor and plain-looking? We as parents want our kids to be rich and beautiful. But, God the Father (who has all resources and all authority) sent Jesus into the word to be just the opposite. 2 Corinthians 8:9 tells us that, though He was rich, Jesus became poor so that we, by His poverty, might become rich. And, Isaiah 53:2 tells us that Jesus had no beauty that we should be drawn to Him. Jesus was poor. And, if not ugly, at the very least he was plain-looking. And, I wonder what would have happened if Jesus had been rich and handsome. He certainly would have been a better presidential candidate that way. But evidently not as good of a Redeemer. More people would have been drawn to Him, but apparently, God is not as concerned with big numbers as we are. and, it’s possible the people would have been drawn for the wrong reasons. Maybe that’s more important than we realize...

It is not wrong or bad to be rich and beautiful. (But, our society communicates this message very clearly.) So, today, I want to emphasize that it’s ok to be poor and ugly. In fact, it can be really good. I truly desire to be rich in faith, for without faith, it is impossible to please God. Whether I am poor or rich, I want to trust in God’s promises more than any insurance policy or money in my pocket. And whether I am good-looking or not, I can decide what (or who) I will depend on. And you can too.