"Blessed are those who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied." - Luke 6:20-21

Contrast the Lord's words above with what He says in verses 24-25:

"But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry." -Luke 6:24-25

Poor and hungry or rich and well fed. Which would you rather be?

Poor and hungry. At the heart of those words, what do they mean? If you're poor and hungry, you recognize that you have a need. If you're wealthy, you can't honestly ask God to "Give us this day our daily bread". But if you're dirt poor? Yes, you can sincerely and honestly rely on God, each day, for your bread. If you're hungry, you have a need, and you recognize it. How many of you have ever, when you're really hungry, decided you liked the way it feels? If offered food, would you say, "No thanks, I'm good and hungry". You have a need, a real need, and you recognize it.

Rich and well fed. What do those adjectives indicate? The word "rich" here means "abounding in wealth". Like, really rich. No material worries in the world. Well fed means you never have to feel hungry. You can completely rely on yourself for material goods, food, shelter...anything you want or need. Rich and well fed indicates self-reliance. The feeling that, "I've attained everything I need to be safe, sound, and secure". Your life's work has been to be self-sufficient, and that is your reward. You have no "needs" you can point to.

Blessed are those who recognize they have a need for a Savior! Blessed are they!

But woe unto those who scoff at the Savior, puffed up with pride, as if they are their own god!

Poor and hungry or rich and well fed. Which would you rather be?

-G