The Poverty Pit

I'd like to introduce you to several couples. You may even recognize one or more of them.

You'd never guess by the way they talk that Michael and Michelle Mizer are both successful professionals. Michael can tell you where to get the best deal on just about anything, and he always knows which gas station has the cheapest prices. Michelle knows which restaurants have the two-for-one specials, where to get off-season bargains, and which stores have double coupon days. They live frugally and seem proud of it.

Frank and Frances Fierful can't seem to save enough for a rainy day. Although they have a stable, comfortable income, they are constantly aware that “life can change in an instant.” All too often they are hounded by thoughts of “what if.” What if we have a catastrophic accident, what if our business goes bust, what if the stock market crashes again?

Randy and René Rashunal like quality and can afford it, but seem to have difficulty enjoying it. When complimented on his new top-of-the-line leather briefcase, Randy shrugs it off by saying, “I'll get years more wear out of this than I would from a lower quality one, so it's actually a cost-effective purchase.” Renée is quick to explain to a friend that their annual Hawaiian vacation is really done on a shoestring budget because Randy's parents have a timeshare and they use their frequent flyer miles.

Then there's Peter and Pat Poore. They've been struggling ever since the economic downturn in 2008. Peter lost his job and hasn't been able to find comparable employment, so he's doing odd jobs. Pat’s hours were cut, but since she has the stable income, she feels stuck in her current position. Actually, even before the recession Peter and Pat were just making ends meet. Financial hardship has been an ongoing problem in their lives.

Although only Peter and Pat are living in actual poverty, all four couples are in what I call “the poverty pit.” They are living their lives under the influence of a spirit of poverty. None of them understand God's perspective on prosperity and the truth of His promises to abundantly bless them.

All of them are focused on their own efforts to gain security by living modestly and strictly controlling their finances. Without realizing it, they are trusting in their ideas and persuasions about how to have financial security instead of believing God's words and promises. In effect they are worshiping poverty, for they are giving the fear of it control over much of their lives.

The spirit of poverty seeks to deceive those in the poverty pit by encouraging them to focus on finances as the source of their security, and to trust in their own ability to accumulate and protect their prosperity. They're all so caught up in this pursuit that they can't even enjoy the prosperity they do have!

The only way out of the poverty pit is to know and believe that Father God wants each of us to prosper. This prosperity includes both spiritual and material blessing. Philippians 4:19 assures us that: “God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Proverbs 10:22 promises: “The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and He adds no trouble to it.” Jesus echoed this when He said: “I am come that you might have life and have it in abundance.” (John 10:10b)

Father God wants us to focus on Him as our provider and the source of our security. Only He gives us the wisdom that brings lasting prosperity.

Please join us this Sunday at 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM. We are beginning a new series, “The Keys to Prosperity,” and I will be speaking on “Prosperity and Righteousness.” Don't forget our afternoon healing service now begins at 2:00 PM.

Pastor Che