Luke 6:20 “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”
There was huge persecution under Emperor Valerian in 250AD because of the rampant growth of the church. It was said at the time that ‘all of Rome were becoming Christians’, so Valerian’s officials did their best to stamp it out. They began a ruthless campaign of stripping all Christians of their property, and they zealously carried out Valerian’s edict to arrest and execute all bishops, priests and deacons.
Brother Laurence was deacon and treasurer of one of the better known churches. He encouraged his people to give all their belongings away to the poor rather than have them taken by the corrupt officials. He was then approached by the officials and offered amnesty if he would show where all the church’s treasures were located. He agreed to do so, and asked for three days to collect all the church’s riches into one central place. In the meantime he assembled the poor, disabled, blind, sick, widows and orphans. When Valerian came to inspect the treasure trove, Laurence flung open the doors and declared emphatically: “These are the treasures of the church!”
Valerian was so enraged he ordered Laurence to face the most gruesome death possible – not just beheading but torture. Laurence was roasted on a gridiron and he died on 10th August 258AD. It’s reported he even managed to joke with his executioners: “You may turn me over. I’m done on this side.” Such courage had a profound impact on the observers at the execution, including several senators who gave their lives to Christ. Rather than suppress the growth of Christianity in Rome, his death only served to hasten its spread.
St Laurence had a deep grasp of what constitutes poverty and riches. Do we likewise understand that the poor are the treasures of the church? Our society tends to discard them, so will we buck or follow that trend?
Lord, I choose to be involved with your treasures. Show me what that might look like today. Amen!
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