Trading Poverty for Wealth

May 20, 2013

"And He said to those who sold doves, 'Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!' " 

John 2:16

     Righteous anger had come over Jesus at the sight of the merchandisers making a profit out of the poor by selling doves. Why would such a sight spark so much zeal fro our Lord? I believe it was for many righteous reasons, but the two that strike my heart this day is: the character of the dove, and Christ's desire that all men be found rich in Him.
     Just a chapter before we read the account of Jesus' baptism when the Spirit of God defended upon and rested upon Him in the form of a dove--giving us a picture of the character of a dove. The dove serves as a representation of His Holy Spirit upon a life. 
We know that our Savior never despised the poor, but He made Himself poor for our sakes. 2 Corinthians 8:9 reads,

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."

     Christ desires that we be found rich in Him. He is not concerned with the material wealth of this life, but the spiritual wealth of His people in their living within this life.
With these two things upon His mind, I believe a sight of doves being sold at a price to harm or hinder the poor irked the heart of Jesus, and so He defended His Father's house by overturning the tables and re-establishing a call for prayer.
It is through prayer that one receives the anointing of the Spirit upon his or her life, and it is through prayer that we attain our spiritual wealth from the storehouses of His grace.
     Beloved, what need do you find within yourself this morning? Do you feel too poor to buy what you need to overcome? 
Come to your Father's house in prayer. The price of the dove has been paid for by His blood. No man can now try to take advantage of your poverty and sell you such a gift at a high price. No. The price was high indeed, but your Jesus took it for You and paid in full upon that cross. You now no longer ought to walk in poverty of Spirit, but in fullness and abundance, trading your lack for His sufficiency, and your weaknesses for His strength. This day, trade your poverty for His riches and in Him overcome. Romans 8:37. Amen.