11th September

One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. Proverbs 13, 7

...the unsearchable riches of Christ... Ephesians 3, 8

False poverty and true wealth

A few years ago this news item was written in a French newspaper Nice Matin: A man with a certain age, an easy-going aspect and worn clothes sleeps on the sea shore near the French town Toulon. He cannot prove that he has a place of residence and he does not carry the minimum of money with him which is obliged by law. He is taken to the police station as a vagabond. "Alfred" suggests the dumpfounded policemen to phone his notary. This notary sends a telegraphic mandate.

Is this a doubtful joke? Not at all! After having enquired it is found out that this man is a millionaire in "heavy" French francs. This man left his castle and households to live a roaming life: this is a new game for him!

We rather have this search for simplicity than the display which sometimes is odious wealth. However, this man hardly shared the deprivation and anguish of real deprived but in appearance he was like them! Was he particularly rich in regard to God? (Luke 12, 21)

However, we think of him who is an almighty Creator, heir of everything, the Son of God who was rich but who lived in poverty for us so that we might be enriched by his poverty (2 Corinthians 8, 9). What a grace and what a humiliation! If he comes down to us then it is to lift us up to him. To believe in Jesus the Saviour is really to understand the poor (Psalm 41, 1).