the power of poverty
"I offer You praise, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because what You have hidden from the learned and the clever You have revealed to the merest children." —Luke 10:21
Do you want to make demons subject to you in the name of Jesus? (Lk 10:17) Do you want to watch "Satan fall from the sky like lightning" and tread on "all the forces of the enemy"? (Lk 10:18-19) Power over Satan comes from knowing God, for our power is in His name. When we are on a "first name basis" with the Lord, when we know Him deeply and personally, we have His power working through us.
To know God and thereby receive His power we must not depend on being learned and clever. Rather, we must be like infants, totally dependent upon God our Father (Lk 10:21). Therefore, the key to knowing God and using His power is dependence on Him. The people closest to God, who are the most powerful people in the world, are those who realize that without Jesus they can do nothing (Jn 15:5).
St. Francis chose and loved poverty. This helped him be conscious of depending on God for everything. In this way, St. Francis of Assisi knew God very deeply, and the power of Francis' life has reverberated throughout the world for centuries.
Be poor. Be like infants. Be close to God. Be powerful.
Prayer: Father, I need You for my next breath, heartbeat, minute, and meal. Thank You for providing everything for me.
Promise: "As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, turn now ten times the more to seek Him; for He Who has brought disaster upon you will, in saving you, bring you back enduring joy." — Bar 4:28-29
Praise: Francis, a rich, young man, sold all that he had, gave to the poor, and followed Jesus.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our book, The Bible on Money.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, March 22, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 26, 1997