Troubles/Poverty

Poverty is easy to get into and difficult to leave. It's causes are well known. For any young people in school; you need to stay in school and graduate. And don't abuse drugs. Not once, not ever. They are Satan's candy and never an answer to any problem. "The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy." John 10:10. The thief is Satan. Drugs are one of his many weapons. They are a lie and a deceit. They will steal your life, kill and destroy your body and soul.

And don't have children until you are married. If you do these three things, it is unlikely you will ever truly be in material poverty. You may meet Hard Times but not true poverty.

If you are living in poverty and waiting for a government program to change your circumstances, you will probably have a long wait. You are looking to the wrong place. Look to yourself for hard work and to God to open the door for favorable circumstances through Faith. True poverty is more than a lack of money. So what does God say about poverty or riches?

He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea. Psalm 132:15 NIV.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer 29:11 (NIV)

Looking at his disciples, he (Jesus) said: Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Jesus or Nazareth, Luke 6: 20 & 21 (NIV).

Does that mean Christ wants Christians to be poor? The short answer is no. We may have to walk "through the valley of shadow and death " (see Psalm 23:4) but the key word is "through," we do not have to stay there. We will walk "through" it and praise God, as we are going through it, and when we get through it to the other side. Praising God while you are in "trial" is difficult but powerful. I believe it will allow God to release a real anointing on your life. "Through" it does not only mean poverty but other trials that we walk through. And you may rest assured, life does bring troubles. And often the only way out of these troubles is to go straight through them. Otherwise we just go round and round the same mountain time and time again. Going through it is unpleasant, hard to bear, and brings difficult circumstances. There will be pain, fear, confusion of thought along with obstacles. You will make progress only to be blocked and stopped. People runaway or hide but that never works. The only way out is through.

In Psalm 69. the Psalmist states:

I am in pain and distress;
may your salvation, O God, protect me.

I will praise God's name in song
and glorify him with thanksgiving.

Right after talking about his pain and distress, the Psalmist praises God and demonstrates his thankfulness. Attitude is important. And only you can give yourself a good attitude.

From Psalm 70:5.

Yet I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD , do not delay.

God works at his own pace. He is not in a hurry. If you are in need, it seems slow. I know this from personal experience. But find some comfort from Paul.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Paul (Romans 5:6 NLT)

Being poor in spirit is even a greater burden than being poor in finances. It often leads to suicide in the rich and famous who seem to have it all. God created us, on purpose, with an emptiness only He can fill. This was not an error in engineering but done on purpose. He wants us to feel complete only in relationship with Him. Money. love. or good will from others will not make us complete. As in so many things, this is also your choice. Choose life.