Rcih vs. Poor

Tradition: If you need a good leader in the church get a rich man, someone who knows how to manage

                  money surely must know how to provide Godly leadership.

       Truth: The leader by faith and the Holy Spirit supply Godly leadership

     Therefore, many deacons, elders, committee members are picked on their outstanding ability to get ahead in the world. But, this is not always God's plan. As a matter of Biblical fact: "God hath chosen the poor to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him." (James 2:5) Now, this does not mean that all poor people are rich in faith, but it sure looks like a good place to start looking for leadership in spiritual matters!

     Isn't being rich in faith what we need for our spiritual leaders? To be rich in faith is the right qualification for leadership, because that was the main characteristic of the first deacons chosen by the Apostles: "And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost". Faith and fullness of the Spirit were the main considerations in this listing of characteristics of the deacons chosen to serve God.

     The rich, in direct contrast, are spoken of by Jesus in this manner:

"But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation." (Luke 6:24); "There was a certain rich man...in hell he lift up his eyes" (Luke 16:19, 23); "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" (Luke 18:24).

     This certainly does not mean that all of the rich are condemned, go to hell, or can not enter into the kingdom! No, but it does mean that riches are a disadvantage, a hindrance, if they are a means in which they trust in, rather than trusting in God! This is why the traditional wisdom of choosing the rich because they are rich is unwise, for again the Truth of the Word of God triumphs over traditional wisdom!  

Chaplain L.E.Wolfe www.btmi.org I-85 Exit 35 SC  McPilot  Stop in, and please pray for our ministry!