"Jesus was poor, so true disciples should embrace poverty too."
How it sounds in your head: Jesus had nowhere to lay His head. He rode a borrowed donkey, used a borrowed tomb. The disciples left everything to follow Him. Prosperity preachers are false teachers. Real Christianity is sacrifice and simple living.
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."
-- 2 Corinthians 8:9Religious misinterpretation of Jesus' 'nowhere to lay His head' comment; poverty theology tradition.
You've heard this preached by respected teachers for decades, and the imagery of Jesus' humble birth and death seems to support it. Contrast with flashy televangelists makes poverty look righteous.
A RICH man who was Jesus' disciple, wealthy enough to own a new tomb near Jerusalem. Jesus didn't rebuke his wealth or tell him to give it all away—He accepted his discipleship and his resources.
I REFUSE the lie that Jesus' poverty is my pattern instead of my redemption. IT IS WRITTEN that He became poor so I might become RICH—it's an exchange, not an example to mimic. He had a treasury, wore expensive clothing, was supported by wealthy followers. I don't honor His sacrifice by staying in what He died to deliver me from. IT IS WRITTEN in Galatians 3:13-14 that Christ redeemed me from the CURSE so the BLESSING of Abraham could come on me. The curse includes poverty; the blessing includes abundance. I receive the wealth transfer He purchased. The Father doesn't want me emulating Jesus' sacrifice; He wants me ENJOYING Jesus' victory. I am Abraham's seed, and the BARAK blessing makes me exceedingly rich like it did my covenant father.
Jesus didn't stay dead to prove a point about graves—He rose so you could live. He didn't stay poor to model poverty—He became poor for three years so you could be rich forever. The Father wants you enjoying the victory, not imitating the battle.