1. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18).

1. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18).

 Christ didn’t mean the financially destitute. The Greek word for “poor” is ptochos, indicating “utter helplessness, complete destitution, afflicted, distressed.” I think God is far too faithful to let anyone make it through life without confronting seasons of utter helplessness. Look at the remainder of the definition: “subsisting on the alms of others.”

God created us to need something or someone else. Sooner or later, any healthy individual discovers that autonomy doesn’t cut it. Once we confront our need for someone or something beyond ourselves, we will subsist on the alms of others if we don’t discover Christ. Like beggars we go from person to person with our empty cup, crying, “Can’t you add anything to my life?” They might throw in a coin or two. In fact, a few may be weekly . . . and probably weary . . . tithers. But when we shake the cup, the tinny echo reminds us how empty we remain. Until we allow Jesus to fill our cups daily, we simply subsist. The good news Christ may want to preach to you today is that you don’t have to subsist. You were meant to thrive. Sooner or later, God will make sure we confront the poverty of living on the alms of others so that we may learn to feast on Him.