Spiritual Poverty



All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full (Eccl 1:7)
We are greedy after this world's things, and never can get enough of them; but of the real things, the things that will last through eternity, we are satisfied with very small portions. "What seek ye?" (John 1:38) asks the Master, his hands filled with precious blessings; and we ask for some little thing, some trifle, when we might have glorious fullness of blessing. How very strange it must seem to the angels and saints to see us poor mortals giving our life, our very soul, to get some paltry thing of earth that will perish to-morrow, and then not taking the precious spiritual boons that we might have for the mere asking!

Proverbs 27:20: Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. (KJV)
Ecclesiastes 1:8: All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. (KJV)
Matthew 6:33 (also Luke 12:31): But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (KJV)
Matthew 16:26 (also Mark 8:36 and Luke 9:25): For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (KJV)
Luke 10:38-42: Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (KJV)
John 16:24: Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. (KJV)
1 Timothy 6:6-11: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (KJV)
1 John 2:15-17: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (KJV)


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