Find a poor church

There is a saying, "If you want something done, ask a busy person." Maybe we should also say, with similar irony, "If you want a rich church, find a poor one."

I am guessing that many churches are feeling the financial crunch about now, as that glorious theory of "trickle down economics" has finally come true with a perverse vengeance, the sins of Wall Street reverberating in the empty offering plates of Main Street.

But I am encouraged by remembrance of two churches in the first century. Is it not ironic that the only congregations of the seven whom God commends in Revelation are the ones suffering from "poverty" (Revelation 2:9) and from "little strength" (Revelation 3:8)? Rejoice! We don't need to be rich to be pleasing to God.

I suppose it is possible to be rich and be pleasing to God (though, remember the camel and the eye of a needle-Mark 10:25). I suppose it is not an absolute prerequisite to be hard up financially. Maybe it is just a coincidence that the rich churches at the Revelation awards night ceremony are not the ones sweeping up the "crown of life" and the "white stone" (See 3:17).

I feel quite certain that both the church of Smyrna and the church of Philadelphia prayed and prayed for an end to financial destitution, and for greater strength. But evidently God told them, "My grace is sufficient for you." And then he went ahead and did what he likes to do best-advancing his kingdom with one hand tied behind his back.