Monday, January 07, 2008

Poverty

The blessings of poverty I ask from Thee now…

A coarse robe.

A rope belt.

A mat of reeds.

Plain and honest fare.

The good company of my fellows.

Lady Poverty, romance me now:

Away from my comforts—

My clothes

My books

My bed

My food

My gadgets—

Away from myself and all that is mine…

Let it be yours instead.

If I am rich,

May I be rich in giving,

To spend myself for others.

If I am poor,

May I still be rich in giving,

To spend myself for others.

Give me charity enough

To give humbly and gladly

And humility enough

To gladly accept,

With thanksgiving,

The charity of friends.

May Christ and His Kingdom be

My security

My peace

My pleasure

My hope for years to come.

May I be rich enough to aid my neighbors

And poor enough to value nothing

That is not found in Christ.

These blessings of poverty I ask from Thee now—

To use Your money as you would have it used, O Lord,

And to be myself,

Apart from property or station,

As You would have me be.

Poor to the world

And rich to the Kingdom;

Poor to myself

And rich to my neighbors;

Poor to my will

And rich unto Christ.

All I have is from Your hand,

And all do I give back to Thee—

For grace,

For life,

For Your design,

For the fellowship of poverty.