what they have in reserve. Galatians 2:20 tells us in Paul’s words, “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Him self for me.” In the course of the years I have made a number of friends who are wealthy and have some wonderful ma terial things I can enjoy. There are some who have a speed boat, and every summer when I go to New England they take me to their lake home. I de light in speeding across the smooth waters just as though the boat were mine. Now, how do I get to have these privileges? It is because I have come into a close friendship and fellowship with them. They tell me that anything that is theirs is to be considered mine when I am in their home. There is no selfishness but a happy blending of our spirits. This is what God wants us to have. We come to the Lord in our pov erty and He gives us His riches, and together we are joined in Jesus Christ. We might freely translate the verse, “I am crucified to my poverty, but by His wealth, although I am dead, nevertheless I live in Christ; He dwells in me, and the life I now live in my poverty, I live by the wealth of the Son of God who loved me and gave not only His wealth but also Himself for me.” When we begin to live from our re sources rather than from our poverty, we will find just how well off we really are. We will not only be on the re ceiving end of the material wealth but also on the giving end of spiritual wealth. We can use these hidden riches God has given us not because we are deserving but simply because it pleases Him so to do. The little word “according” is the yardstick. Throughout all eternal ages we will enjoy these blessings for we read, “That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). 4
see, he was actually illustrating this verse. The yardstick which God uses to bless us is not that by which He measures our poverty but by which He measures His wealth. God blesses us not on the basis of what we need but on the basis of what He can give. In our outward poverty there can be NOT HIS CROSS It is not His cross that is heavy; It is those that our hands have made That hinder us on our journey, On our aching shoulders laid; There is strength for the load He gives us, And balm for the thorn He sends, But none for the needless burdens And none for our selfish ends. We bear a burden of sorrow; We carry a weight of gold; We cling to some treasured idol. And will not loose our hold; We bend beneath troubles and worries; We drag the load of a wrong; And we cry that the cross is heavy, And sigh that the way is long. Let us drop the sin that besets us; Let us cast aside our fears; Let us give our grief to Jesus, And break our pitcher of tears; Let us learn of the Meek and the Lowly Who giveth the weary rest; Let us take His yoke upon us, And walk with Him abreast. For His yoke is easy to carry. And His burden is light in weight; He will do His share of the labor, For He is a true yoke-mate. Are we weary and heavy-ladened? Are we anxious and full of care? That is not the cross of His giving, But the one that we make and bear. great hidden wealth. When we’ be gin to capitalize on this wealth and to use it, it will be reflected in our entire make-up. But having a wealth, many people will want to know how they can “cash in” on their resources and enjoy
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