Acting Rich When You Are Actually Poor

Introduction

In 2019 Anna Delvey was sentenced to 12 twelve years in prision for pretending to be a wealthy heir to a fortune valued at $60M.

She lied to her friends.

She lied to many NY banks where she applied for loans to open an art gallery.

She lied even to many high profile people in business and the entertainment industry.

…but she was really just an ordinary person with no money. She was simply a really good con artist…or better said - a poor con artist.

She acted rich…but at the end of the day she had no money to her name.

Jesus confronts a similar situation in the church of Laodicea.

Laodicea was a prosperous city in the ancient world.

They were famous for their school of medicine, their well-funded banks, and their textile / fashion industry.

It’s very likely that the christian believers in that church were also very prosperous.

Unfortunately, there came a point when even the christian believers felt so secure in their social class and financial security that they felt like they had everything.

Apocalipsis 3:17 ESV

17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

They would say, I am rich.

I am well off.

I have so many resources…that I don’t know whether I’ll ever be able to spend what I have.

In fact, I need nothing - I have everything that I need and much more.

…and yet when Jesus examines this church he sees their true state.

He sees them as wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

How could Jesus call this group of believers - poor?

Isn’t he overlooking the fact that they had many financial resources at their disposal?

Remember that Jesus examines our entire live - and not simply our bank statement.

Jesus examined their spiritual life and although they prospered financially, their spiritual lives were dwindling.

Many people believe that their spiritual life will truly grow when they do not need to worry about money.

Sometimes we think that if we have a good job, a good retirement plan, if we max out our 401k, if we make the right investments, then we’ll have enough financial security that we’ll be in a good place to become more serious about our faith.

But, what actually tends to happen is we become so consumed in the things of this world that our spiritual life starts to fall by the wayside.

We start to become overly concerned with our finances, investments, our education, our personal growth, our professional and personal goals, that our spiritual life and christian walk is no longer a priority.

…and although we prosper financially, we are really living in a state of spiritual poverty.

This is exactly what the Laodiceans were facing - spiritual emptiness, spiritual poverty.

They had many material things, but they were lacking Jesus.

They had the power to buy many earthly goods, but they were lacking a vibrant christian faith.

They were missing that which was most important - a close relationship with Jesus Christ.

So Jesus calls them to repentance and draws a word picture.

Apocalipsis 3:20 ESV

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

He draws for them a picture of him standing at the door of their heart and knocking.

If they would just open the door - he would go inside and enjoy a grand feast with them.

So how will we lifted out of spiritual poverty - by enjoying time and fellowship with Jesus Christ.

Through prayer.

Through the reading of his Word.

Through worship.

As we meditate and think upon what Jesus accomplished on the cross.