Rags to Riches

Iíll take off these old clothes and throw them away

The sackcloth and ashes Iíve worn

Iíll strip myself bare from these close clinging cares

Theyíre only fit for those who mourn.

For the right righteous raiment of one who must reign

Is prepared for the state which in Christ we attain

The clothes of the dead man are tattered and plain

They suit the old life they adorn.

From rags now to riches a new life is mine

Iíll put off the old man and claim what is mine

Iíll put on the new man and live the new way

Iíll take off the old man and cast him away.

Reborn now to live a new day.

Since rags became riches the rich became poor

Our substitute made the great switch.

He laid down his rights to share His righteous robe

Through His poverty we are rich

WeÝ can still live like weíre poor and weíre weak,

We live ëneath our privilege in all that we seek

So we need to turn more than just the other cheek

To turn from the life that weíve known

And choose to possess what we own.

Anthony Foster

July 6, 2005