“For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.” (John 12:8 NASB) Jesus spoke these words responding to Judas complaining about Mary, a worshiper, pouring expensive perfume on Christ’s feet. Judas claimed, selling it could have fed the poor; in truth this thief lost an opportunity to steal. Here is my opinion: Truth then will continue to be truth when Christ returns. There will always be poor with us. And this is why it will happen.
The works of the saved, what we have built upon our foundation, Christ, will one day be tested by fire. Imagine that! Really, imagine your trophies. How will they hold up against a heavenly fire? “If anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:14-15 NASB) That describes coming through to the other side POOR.
So, how can we avoid being one of the poor during the Millennium? It is simple, listen to Christ’s words and do them. Hear and obey.
“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and its collapse was great.” (Matthew 7:24-27 NASB)
Ruin because of a foolish disregard for the word of God. According to Jesus, the difference between hearers is wither or not they are also doers. James is not the only one teaching the importance of works. They don’t save you, but they will be rewarded. Who wants to be poor for the next thousand years?
His Family Table 