Jesus looked around at the multitude of His followers and said "Contrary to what the world may tell you, you should be happier than anyone else if you're poor and you recognize it. Poor in spirit, poor in resources, poor in ability, just generally poor. Why is this? Because you're the ones who will inherit the eternal kingdom! If you've got a ravening spiritual appetite, you should be inextinguishably happy because I'm going to feed you the best food you've ever tasted! If you're crying over your wretched condition right now, take heart because you'll be rolling over laughing in just a little while longer! And I don't mean the shallow, vapid kind of laugh you hear coming from people who are amused with stupid little trifles! I mean the kind of laugh you hear coming from people who have been through a lot when something indescribably great happens! And if people hate you right now... if you're being treated as the scum of the earth and nobody shows you any love or respect... if you're being taken advantage of and looked at as foolish or stupid or offensive or evil because you belong to me... well, let's just say the day is coming when you will realize how fortunate you were to be treated this way. Special treasures will be given to those who suffer for kingdom of God. So when you're insulted and belittled and hated and teased and ruthlessly attacked, either through words or physically, jump up and down with joy. You don't realize how great what you're going to get in eternity is because of these things! You'll be getting the same prize that other "great" servants got! Think of it... you'll get the same reward as Moses and Elijah and the other famous guys!
"But now, let's look at the flip side. If you're rich in spirit and able to handle life yourself and perform well in this life, watch out because you'll be defenseless when you face the great Judge. You're enjoying life now but the day is coming when everything is going to flip on its head. If you think you're doing just fine without God and you're satisfied right now, be careful. You're full now but the day is coming when you'll be ravenously hungry and there will be no food. You're laughing now but you'll eventually have many things to cry about. If everyone is congratulating you and looks up to and admires you, remember that they treat God's enemies the same way. If nobody has any complaints about you and you're liked by many people, that means you're not living according to what God says you need to live by.
"Here are some guidelines for living in the eternal kingdom. Remember, you're going to be swimming upstream against the current. What I'm about to tell you to do, the world is going to say is stupid and dangerous. Here's the deal though. You need to love your enemies. People are going to hate you when you do what I tell you to do. You're not going to be popular or well liked. They hated Me so they'll hate you also! You need to love them in return! You need to do good things for them and bless them and pray for them! Even in the midst of them doing bad things to you and cursing you and mistreating you and taking advantage of you! If someone spits on you, look for ways to serve them! If someone robs you and takes something of great earthly value, don't let them get away with just that! Give them something else also! This will show them that you have a greater treasure than these puny things. Maybe it will even wet their appetite for those things that really matter! If someone takes what belongs to you, don't sue them or try to get even with them or even ask for the item back. Hold your earthly possessions lightly but grab hold onto Me! In summary, treat everyone you meet as you wish they would treat you.
"If you only love your friends and family, what good is that to you? That doesn't make you any different from the rest of sinful humanity. If you only do good things for those who treat you well, what good is that to you? That's the way God's enemies live. If you lend money or goods to others knowing that you will receive it back, what's the point? Sinners do the exact same thing. Here's how I want you to live though! Love those who want to kill you... those who hate what you say and how you live! Do good to them! Lend to everyone and don't expect a dime back! If you do that, your reward will be greater than you could ever begin to imagine in your wildest dreams! THAT is how your heavenly Father loves! That's how I love! You're all ungrateful, backstabbing, wicked people! You trample My glory! You desecrate that which is pure and holy and you are careless and apathetic about matters of eternal importance... But I love you... I'm going to practice what I preach... I freely give you Myself... My righteousness, My glory, My sinless perfection... I give you My best in the face of your worst! I... love... you! In the face of such love and compassion and grace... I will make you merciful and loving... just... like... Me.
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