But Thou Art Rich

Revelation 2:9 

I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 3:17 

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:

There is a sort of poverty that is wealth and a sort of wealth that is impoverished. This is true both materially and spiritually. Countless stories can be given of people who had very little of this world's good but were blessed with joy in their soul, wealth of relationships and deep and abiding contentment in life. On the other hand, there are so many accounts of rich people whose lives were miserable it is almost stereotypical. Multitudes of wealthy and famous people are unhappy, live in depravity or depression and large numbers of them take their own lives. They are rich but they are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked"

As it is true in the material realm, it is also true in the spiritual realm. It matters not whether a person has climbed to the highest rungs of ecclesiastical success. A person may have achieved a position of stature in his church or denominational organization.

·       Deacon

·       Teacher

·       Pastor

·       College professor (or president)

·       Bishop

·       Cardinal or

·       Pope

Men may regard a man as most holy or reverend. That is no promise of success or regard before the Lord. On the other hand, a person might be lowly in the sight of his spiritual peers. He may serve the Lord in some small and secluded spot, out of the way of the movers in the world of religious influence and have great wealth in his walk with God.

From the perspective of eternity the later is much to be preferred to the former.