There is a passage from Jeremiah that television preachers like to quote, "For I know well my plans for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope." Then they usually tie this in with "planting a seed of faith", which means sending them money. What they never quote are the verses before it, "Do not let yourself be deceived by the prophets and diviners who are among you; do not listen to those among you who dream dreams. For they prophesy lies to you in my name; I did not send them, says the Lord." There was a 70 year wait between these two passages. 70 years of prayer and obedience before the promise would be fulfilled. Jesus gave the people His guidance for a future full of hope, "Happy are the poor in spirit..." Why did He say this? He could have said, 'Happy are those who are detached from wealth of any kind.' Poor in spirit is sweet detachment! If someone is poor in spirit, they are detached from having or not having God's material blessings. They don't worship money, power, health, spiritual or religious blessings. They could care less. Their need is for the happiness of God, not their own. Jesus showed us what this looked like in person. The true promise that leads to real happiness and a future full of hope is the cross we are commanded by Jesus to pick up daily and carry. (And let's give our money to those who could use it.)
wkm
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