Daily Devotional

On January 12, 2010, Haiti made headlines when a 7.0-magnitude earthquake killed more than 222,000 people, displaced 1.3 million people, and destroyed nearly 100,000 houses. Even more than a decade later, the Caribbean country is still suffering from the aftermath.

In ad 60, an earthquake likewise decimated Laodicea. But though Roman Emperor Nero offered financial relief, the citizens refused it—and rebuilt the entire city using their own resources alone. Indeed, the Laodiceans were a famously wealthy people, and they knew it too. Even in the face of a natural disaster, they were unfazed.

God’s last-day church is “rich” in doctrinal truths: It has studied the Word; it understands prophecy. In full view are the lives of the patriarchs and the prophets, of the apostles and the martyrs. Indeed, this church possesses more light than any other church in history.

But there is a danger that it will go the way of the Laodiceans. The prophecies have been interpreted; the book has been opened. When trouble comes, the church already knows what to expect. Intellectually, they are prepared for the end of the world—but are they spiritually prepared?

This church has more responsibility to shine the light that has been given it than any other in history. But has this privilege been manipulated to its own use? Does it wear knowledge as baubles to be flaunted and not heavenly wisdom that sanctifies the heart? (John 17:17). The church’s heart is what matters to Christ: “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

Jesus is not condemning us for being “poor.” It was Him who declared, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). His admonishment is for the church’s oblivious arrogance. It thinks it has “need of nothing”—and that includes Christ. And the irony lies in that, for all its spiritual knowledge, it is dead wrong.

Can any of us ever have enough wealth—spiritual or otherwise—to win eternal life? Never. Eternal life is not won but given—by the grace of Jesus Christ.

My Redeemer, may the knowledge I learn of You keep me humble. May I not allow the things of this world to neutralize the spiritual truths that will sustain me.

For Further Study: Psalm 34:6; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5