BLIND OR BLESSED?

“I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) …” (Revelation 2:9a) written to the church at Smyrna.

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” (Revelation 3:17) written to the church of the Laodiceans.

The Smyrnian church was blessed through their works, tribulation and poverty, but they did not realize it. The Laodicean church had possessions aplenty, but without the blessings of God. It is just as blind to think oneself without the blessing of God as it is to believe that material things indicate the presence of God. Beautiful cathedrals do not a church make. Neither is one forsaken because he lacks physical substance.

The key indicator in the matter is “me.” “Woe is me” excludes God as much as “look at me.” For the child of God who is walking with Him, there is no time without blessing. In fact we are not qualified to determine what is a “bad day” and what is not. God never has a bad day. Likewise, we not are able to proclaim “God has blessed” because of finances or possessions to promotions. Our heart must always sing “to God be the glory.”

Faithful obedience to the Word of God and consistent service for our Lord will bring God’s blessing as long as “me” stays out of it.