Title: Don't Live in Need
1 Thessalonians (12) Do not live in poverty (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12)
"Do not live in poverty"
Believers must show a modest and blessed appearance to unbelievers (verse 12). Even if you don't get the respect and praise of unbelievers, at least don't be insulted. You can't live without hearing "why do believers do this?" in an evil world, but don't be the target of hearing them anyway. Above all, keep your credit. The biggest problem in the Korean church right now is that the members have lost their credibility. The Saints have to be terribly good at one credit issue. Be good at believing, but also good at being trustworthy. “Faith” and “credit” must go together.
The Apostle Paul also said, “Let there be no need.” Living in poverty to such an extent that it is difficult to solve the problem of eating is not a virtue. Even if the saints do not become rich, they must solve the problem of eating by themselves. If you sweat, you can at least solve the problem of eating on your own, so even if you suffer all other hardships, do not suffer from poverty. As such, believers must have a higher level of life and attitude than non-believers. Faith without life support is dead faith.
Do not live in poverty with the pride of being a star in heaven. No matter what happens, do not lose your dreams and confidence. If you fall into the fear of failure and do not take up the challenge for a rich life, you will live a life that is far worse than your ability. The biggest reason for not receiving blessings is not because of sin or bad habits, but because of self-deprecation. Do not forget that you are a child of God, even if you sometimes commit a big sin and have a very bad habit to think of yourself.
Poverty is not an innate destiny. Therefore, cherish the holy ogi and say, “I can be blessed! I can be happy! I can live with the light of the world! I can be used before God!” Believe. God does not use superstars, but always uses the foolish and weak people and gives them enough grace to do the job. After all, among the saints, there is no one who has an inherent reason not to be used and not to be blessed.
<Have a dream of sharing>
Above all, have a big dream of missionary work and sharing. Now front-line missionaries are working in difficult circumstances. I often hear the stories of missionaries in tears. Many people who went on a mission after selling their house to bury their bones in the mission field fell into depression and withdrew from the mission field. That is why missionary work is so difficult. Therefore, do not listen lightly to the prayer requests of the missionaries, but listen and pray sincerely.
There was a woman who grew up in a family that worshiped idols from generation to generation. When her husband, who runs a home-based industry, was experiencing ups and downs in her business, she went to the fortune teller to make sure the business prospered whenever she had spare time. But one day, the fortune teller looked at her and said, “You have received a shaman god!” Suddenly, fear came over me. It's good to foretell my husband's well-being, but I was afraid and hated to be abandoned by my family and live as a shaman for the rest of my life.
Even when I get home, I can't sleep just thinking about it. While I was thinking about it, I remember at first hearing the saying, “Even if you receive a shaman god, it is okay if you believe in Jesus and go to church. There was a person going to church in my neighbor's house, so I started going to church with him. Knowing this, the shaman threw a curse. “If you go to church, you will be shot and killed!”
At other times, hearing those words made me move, but then, strangely, it gave me courage. So, I thought, "Even if I die when I die, it's better than living as a shaman for the rest of my life." I kept going to church. Then, instead of dying in a hurry, my heart was happy. Before that, when I went to a fortune teller, I lived in dread, anxiety, fear, and fear, but whenever I went to church, I was always happy and comfortable. But, as the fortune teller said, he was killed by a sudden death.
From one day, I found out that my husband was going to church, and I was beaten up from time to time, and I felt like I was going to die suddenly. Still, I thought, “It’s better than being a shaman,” and I prayed every morning even as I met him. "God! Save my husband and help the factory prosper! Show me that you live!” The prayer of her tears came up, and the strong husband followed his wife to church within a year and was blessed with the business place, so that he was able to become a big hand in missions and sharing.
The stars of the world live on popularity, but the true stars of heaven live on the reward and joy. Even if life is difficult and difficult right now, ask for the faith and blessings that can overcome the world. So, become the light of the world and a channel of blessing through sharing, so become a ‘real star in the kingdom of heaven’ who shares joy and reward to many people.