Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. Paul set forth the example
of a man who has been caused to see the value of those things
which are eternal, as they are compared with the things of this
world. For he said, But what things were gained to me, those
I counted lost for Christ? Yea, doubtless, and I count all
things but lost for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus
my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do
count them but done, that I may win Christ, and be found in him,
not having mine own righteousness which is of the law. but that
which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which
is of God, by faith. The fleshly gain of which he
spoke is not limited to money, but is found in anything which
is of this temporary world which men might value. James describes
the glorious blessing of the sons of God, which makes the
poor of this world rich for their benefit, and makes the rich poor
for the same purpose. This can only occur in the kingdom
of God. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is
exalted, but the rich in that he is made low, because as the
flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no
sooner risen with the burning heat, but it withereth the grass,
and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion
of it perisheth. So also shall the rich man fade away in his
ways. Both rich and poor alike are
taught the source and extent of their blessings, which are
found in Christ alone. Thus we read Paul's words to
the Corinthians as he describes the true riches of the kingdom
of God. In everything he are enriched by him. The brother
who is lacking in this world's goods is enriched by the gift
of grace, which satisfies his needs with that which is from
above. Those who possess many things in this world, if they
are taught by the Spirit, are enriched as they are made to
count their possessions as worthless, apart from those true riches
which only He can bestow. The common denominator in this
transaction and its results is the work of Christ. The sons
of God are enriched by him, just as surely as he causes the rain
to fall on the just and the unjust according to his purpose, so
he does administer his enrichment upon his children for their good.
For I say through the grace given unto me to every man that is
among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to
think, but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to
every man the measure of faith. There is neither a place of boasting
in an abundance of spiritual enrichment nor a place of complaint
for those who might be called the weaker brethren. The strong
were made so for the good of the body, even as the weaker
are so as well. Regardless of the gifts given
to the brethren, the purpose in the giving of them is that
the whole body might be edified together and built up in the
most holy faith. So we being many are one body
in Christ, and every one members one of another. But the manifestation
of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal, that is,
the whole. For to one is given by the Spirit
the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge by the
same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit. But all these
worketh that one and selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man
severally as he will. For as the body is one and hath
many members, and all the bodies of that one body being many are
one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all
baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether
we be bond or free, and have been all made to drink into one
Spirit. We are enriched by Him in all
utterance and in all knowledge. Utterance is the ability to speak
what is necessary. Often many who fancy themselves
as preachers and teachers think that every word they say is true
because of the amount of study which they invest. This is not
the case, for all men are prone to error regardless of their
preparation. But this is certainly true, that every true word that
is spoken is the gift of God and is sent to accomplish His
will and the benefit of those whom He loves. How can any of
us know anything except the Lord should enrich us with all knowledge?
He has not promised that we shall ever know all things, either
in this world or that to come. Yet we are given to know all
things which are needful, and nothing is withheld from the
sons of God which they need. But my God shall supply all your
need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. And
God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye always,
having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good
work. All of this is done in the body
of Christ, that he might be glorified, and that he might present it
to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or
any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish,
being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causeth
through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this
service not only supplieth the womb of the saints, but is abundant
also by many thanksgivings unto God. Are you a part of the body
of Christ? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.