Spiritual poverty is not the same as “poverty of spirit”, which is a blessing upon those who, with meekness and an intense desire, seek more of Him.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3
Spiritual poverty is the result of an apathetic heart and a spiritual blindness as expressed by the Laodicean spirit that declares, “I have need of nothing”. Those who need nothing have nothing spiritual to impart to others.
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked…”
Revelation 3:17
Poverty of spirit lives in a true state of dependency upon the living Christ, while spiritual poverty lives independently from the resources of Christ. Poverty of spirit is the womb from which humility is born; spiritual poverty gives rise to complacency and is content in its own deception. (James 1:22)
The five foolish virgins saw no need for extra oil in their vessels and assumed they would be fine. The five wise, knowing that the Bridegroom could come at any time, ensured that they had enough for their lamps to burn long into the night.
Many today have let their lamps go out, as the Bridegroom tarries. They feel no need or desire to reach out into the world around them. Apathy and complacency are the harbingers of a stagnant life and uninspired living. When the Lamp of His life no longer shines, their world shrinks to a select few, and they no longer feel the impulse of the Spirit to make Him known.
Waiting on God can become a euphemism for those who no longer experience the press of His life. Though they may declare they are rich, God estimates that they are “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
The blessedness of being poor in spirit is revealed in hearts who feel the wonder of Christ pressing them to reach out to all around them, not because of their own resources, but because of the heart and life of the Son within who will provide for the needs of others.
The essence of a true faith in the living Christ causes their lamps to shine in a time of apathy and slumber.
“Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
The Light and Life of Christ is always revealed in “good works”, the nature of which glorifies our heavenly Father.
Spiritual poverty is bereft of any valid ministration of the Spirit.
Poverty of spirit is the matrix from which His abundance flows.
“The one believing into Me, as the Scripture said,
Out of his belly will flow rivers of living water.”
John 7:38 (LITV)
“Pride looks back upon its past deeds, and calculating with nicety what it has done, it commits itself to rest; whereas humility looks to that which is before, and discovering how much ground remains to be trodden, it is active and vigilant. Having gained one height, pride looks down with complacency on that which is beneath it; humility looks up to a higher and yet higher elevation. The one keeps us on this earth, which is congenial to its nature; the other directs our eye, and tends to lift us up to heaven.”
— James McCosh
Related Post:
Poverty of Spirit – Smith Wigglesworth
Spiritual Provision – (LINK)
Brian Troxel
The Blind Leading The Blind
As I was praying a few days ago I saw the following vision.
In the vision I saw a church service going on. I saw both pastor and congregation, none of which was anything strange or out of the ordinary. I saw the pastor reading from the bible and the congregation following along as he read, again, nothing out of the ordinary. Then I got a look at the pastor’s face and saw that he was blind yet the bible he was reading from was not in braille but he read like he both saw and understood the words he was reading. Then my attention was turned towards the congregation to whom the pastor was preaching and I saw that they too were blind yet followed along with bibles open even following along as the pastor read from the pulpit.
In the vision the eyes of both pastor and congregation were white, i.e., no pupils, so in the physical they would not be able to read nor understand. However, this vision is spiritual and the blindness is a result of deception and being deceived. Those there chose to be there and did not object to what was being taught. Deception is very patient. A little lie here, a little lie there and in time the truth is obscured.
In these last days it is imperative that one listens to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Pay close attention to what He says. If you are in a church where a compromised Word is being preached then leave quickly before you become deceived.
As with any dream/ vision I post here, take this to the Lord in prayer and see what He speaks to you
Very relevant. – I have a writing that I will be posting in the next few weeks and will include your link.
As always… Blessings
BT
https://tpuccio.wordpress.com/2019/06/17/the-blind-leading-the-blind/