KFLCC Kingdom Economics

Provision for All Blessings is Found in the Atonement

among three groups. The Vatican has a piece of His cross, a shroud exists that is believed to prove the resurrection, and even the skulls of Peter and Paul are found in three different locations in Rome. Imagine the confusion if Christ had initiated and left an earthly kingdom of possessions when He departed earth! I believe that another reason Christ rejected the prosperity blessings promised in the law can be found in a powerful passage in 2 Corinthians 8:9: For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. I seldom quote from other translations, but notice how this passage is translated in the Amplified version: "For you are becoming progressively acquainted with and recognizing more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (His kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favor and spiritual blessing), [in] that though He was [so very] rich, yet for your sakes He became [so very] poor, in order that by His poverty you might become enriched (abundantly supplied). Here is the verse in the New Living Translation: You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. Christ could have chosen a road of great material prosperity. According to Luke, he had numerous wealthy individuals who supported his ministry: And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. L UKE 8:2-3 I once heard Dr. E. L. Terry explain from his research who he believed Joanna and Susanna were. He said that Susanna might have been the wife of Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy tin trader who owned many ships and was a secret disciple of Christ (John 3:1-12; Matt. 27:57, 60). The husband of Joanna was Herod’s steward, who would have assisted in Herod’s building programs. Historically, Herod was a great builder who spent years enlarging Jerusalem. Joanna’s husband would have been involved in this and would likely have been financially sound. These wealthy wives were linked to Christ’s ministry and supported Him financially.

73