Being poor before the Lord means we realize we cannot live without God—in the sense of being called to rely on Him—and points to a helplessness that is not about meeting physical needs. Believers do not worry about that, because those redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ belong to God. We need not hope or wait for God’s protection, for we are already under His protection; we are His possession. So, relying on God is not about physical needs but about perfection, in which we must deal with God at every moment.
Have you ever lamented your past life—when you did not live in truth, lived for yourself—and mourned how far you were from the standard of holiness God desires? Have you realized how dangerous that condition is and that, if persisted in, it will lead you to eternal fire? Have you pondered this? Regarding physical needs, people who live without God—even atheists—can still exist. The universe maintains order: you reap what you sow. But concerning perfection, a person must be active, must seek God, and say, “Lord, without You I cannot reach You. Only You can reach me. If you reach me, I will reach those you want me to reach.”
Paul says in Philippians 3, “As he who has captured me, I press on to capture what he has captured me for.” Grace places us in a demanding position, because everyone who receives it must continually move toward perfection; there, we recognize our helplessness and our need for God’s intervention. Matthew 10:28 tells us not to fear what can kill the body. In terms of food and drink, those without God can still survive and even feel content by their standards. People who worship other gods can have functioning lives. So do we only ask God’s help to do the same? Do we think the Father does not protect us so that we must constantly beg for physical things?
We need not whine, for that can damage work ethic. Strive and be responsible. Do not treat physical matters as if you intend to overturn the order God has established. We must be God’s spokespeople who understand this truth and convey it to fellow believers. The church should be the center of teaching, while the center of ministry is our lives at home. God cannot forget us.
Yet regarding perfection, we must pay with seriousness—our whole lives. If we seek truth, then in earning a living, we will also be wise, diligent, responsible, and honest. Remember that with God we can overcome every problem.
Do not doubt the Father. How often God says, “Do not doubt My strong hand that protects you. You are mine, My beloved. All you possess is Mine. I will not betray this faithfulness. But I do this so you will be willing to be trained by Me, so you will be worthy to enter My house.” That is the point. We are in a crisis. The world is moving into eternal darkness; how can we be complacent? Scripture says, “Do not fear those who can kill the body.” The only one to fear is God. So, when we say, “Lord, I am poor before You,” we mean: Lord, without You I cannot live. Not living here does not mean lacking food and drink, but being unable to live in perfection and favor before the Father.
The real issue is not food and drink, but striving to become a person pleasing to God. We often live carelessly—especially when we possess money or power —leading to insolence. Yet life is short, about seventy years. We must feel the tension and awe of eternity now to be prepared.