Poor In Christmas Time

I can’t help but think about unemployment and homelessness increasing these past few months in the USA. I am aware we are in a pandemic that caused many businesses to rewire their business plans. This and many other things related to the virus’ worldwide effect have affected everyone one way or another, most notibaly in terms of being poor.

How can this be?

I cannot make sense of this given the amount of Help Wanted signs I’ve seen on almost every corner. Sure, many of the job openings are closer to minimum wage, but like a wise person once said to me, “50 cents of the dollar you don’t have are always well-received”. 

Well, the other day, I watched The Shepherd, a short Christian film by Dallas Jenkins. I highly recommend it! The Short Film opened my eyes to how ungrateful I have been after seeing how poor people were. Nevertheless, they carried on with their lives and were hopeful that God would take them out of poverty someday because they were waiting for the Messiah to enrich their lives. 

Life Back In The Day

I want to take a second to make it clear that these people were LIMITED in resources. They had no wifi, no phones, no computers, no Gucci bags, no heaters nor ACs, no electricity, no green smoothies. If you were ill, you were likely to be cast out of society. 

*spoiler* The shepherd is overjoyed after finding witnessing the birth of the Messiah. All of his worries disappeared!!

Now, almost 2,000 years after the resurrection of Christ, we have seen an improvement in the quality of life. No doubt there are parts of the world still impoverished today, but that is NOT the case in average America. 

What Does It Mean To Be Poor?

I think it’s good to hear this now: in a time near the Lord’s nativity. Let’s start by reflecting on what does it mean to be poor? What kind of poverty are we talking about? Why does it matter? 

Here is what I think: 

To be poor means to lack or have minimal resources. This could be food, water, money, health care, and most definitely peace. In other words, it’s an intricate concept because it varies in its definition. 

 I argue that being poor in spirit is far more critical than being poor economically, for the pure reason that it’s biblical. 

Poor In Spirit

Our Lord Jesus Christ came to set us free of oppression and poverty. Poverty due to sin, that is. Think about it, there is no greater reward than reaching Heaven, but one will never get there if we are drenched in unworthiness. 

In Matthew 6:26-34 we read,

“ Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wildflowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”

Get this; it’s completely FREE, so your economic status will never interfere with God’s providence. 

The Good News

What I want to emphasize is that Jesus loves you and will always provide. Do not stress about whether or not you will find a job, how you will be able to afford your family and friends gifts, or how you will have money to feed your family, or if you will survive this pandemic.

Trust in God. He is a way maker. Remember that God gave the Israelites mana when they were in the desert, so don’t fall into despair. Don’t let the enemy win you over and pollute your mind with doubt. 

This year was tough, and many have lost their job, but I encourage you to pray. Also, take a walk around your town. Surely you’ll stumble around a sign that reads “Now Hiring.”

Take the job even if it’s something you would’ve never wished to work in or if it pays “too little.” You never know where God is calling you to. 

To close, remember these words from Psalm 34:10:

“Fear the Lord, you his holy ones;

    nothing is lacking to those who fear Him.”