OIL AND SPIRITUAL POVERTY

A famous oil field in Texas is called Yates Pool. During the American economic crisis, a man named Yates had a sheep ranch. He was not able to earn enough money with sheep farming to pay his debts. Then men from an oil company came and informed him that they thought they might find an oil deposit on his property. The company proposed doing a trial drilling, and so Yates signed a contract.

At about 1,200 feet deep, the drill found a huge oil deposit. And it all belonged to Mr. Yates! On the day he had purchased the land, he had also received the right to any oil or any other natural resources on it. He didn’t realize that he was a multimillionaire living in poverty. What was the problem? He didn’t know about the existence of the oil. (Story found in Dr. William R. Bright, Erfüllt mit dem Heiligen Geist—Wie erfährt man das? (Neuhausen, 1971), S.27)

Do you know what is written in 2 Peter 1:3,4?

“His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (KJV).

The rest of the verse could be translated as follows, through an intimate relationship with Jesus, and while in this relationship, praying with the “exceeding great and precious promises” (KJV).

CHILDREN AND HEIRS

At the moment we, by faith in Christ, become the children of God, we also become God’s heirs, and all His resources are at our disposal. Everything we need in order to be men and women of God and fruitful witnesses for Christ — including wisdom, love, and strength — is at our disposal. However, many Christians live in spiritual poverty, because they do not know how to make use of the spiritual riches which God has already bestowed on them! Like Mr. Yates before oil was discovered on his property, they live in ignorance of their unlimited possessions.

And what does that mean?

“Without this connection, no man can be saved. Without the life of Christ in us, we cannot withstand the storms of temptation. Our eternal safety depends upon our building upon the sure foundation. Multitudes are today building upon foundations that have not been tested. When the rain falls, and the tempest rages, and the floods come, their house will fall, because it is not founded upon the eternal Rock, the chief cornerstone Christ Jesus.” Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 599, 600

QUESTIONS FOR MEDITATION & DEVOTION

1. Why will someone live in spiritual poverty?

2. Which one would you choose, wisdom, love or strength?

3. Now, knowing that all God’s resources are at your disposal, does it change the way you see/manage life? What about your prayers, should they change?