Woe to the Rich - Luke 6:24

The beloved physician Luke shared how Jesus, “lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed are you poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are you that weep now: for you shall laugh. Blessed are you, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice you in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets”, and in chapter six and verse twenty-four of his book Luke shares how Jesus says, “woe unto you that are rich” where we read:

But woe unto you that are rich! for you have received your consolation.

The verse reads, “But woe unto you that are rich!” Luke began with the words, “But woe” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover alas” “unto you that are rich” which means “toward people whether male or female who are wealthy, abounding in material resources and abundantly supplied”. Luke shared how Jesus began to give warning to people who are “wealthy” in this world's goods.

The verse goes on to say, “for you have received your consolation.” Luke continued with the words, “for you have received” which means “because, since and on account that you people who are rich have acquired and obtained” “your consolation” or “the rich people's comfort, solace and refreshment”. Luke shared how Jesus said people who are “wealthy” have already obtained their “comfort and refreshment” in their lives.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see Jesus address people who are “wealthy” in this world's goods. His conclusion was that they already “received” their comfort, and the implication is those who are “poor” have not. God loves every person, both rich and poor, however there are many people who are more than amply supplied who have no desire or need to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. They are “self-sufficient” and give no credit or glory to God for anything they have obtained. People who recognize their “poverty” humble themselves before God and ask Him to supply their needs, and He becomes their “comfort, solace and refreshment” regardless of their material possessions.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “woe unto you that are full” and “woe to you that laugh now”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".