A poverty spirit is not limited to only the poorest in our world. It can be found in all income levels.
There is a difference between being poor--having little or no income--and having a poverty spirit. Before we can overcome it, we must recognize it! How does a poverty spirit manifest in a life?
A poverty spirit devours everything in its control. We have all heard news stories about someone winning a million+ dollar lottery and within a year or so they are broke, bankrupt and worse off than before they won the lottery. That is a poverty spirit. As with lust, a poverty spirit is never satisfied. It always wants more and always lives beyond its means.
A poverty spirit is selfish, only concerned with itself. It doesn't give freely. It says "mine" "my money" "my stuff". It doesn't give. It clenches money in hand and only releases it to buy "stuff". Then it will clench and hoard the "stuff".
A poverty spirit is destructive. Show me a home and the possessions of a person and I can tell you if a poverty spirit is at work. If they are a mess, unkempt, in disrepair and heading toward ruin, that is a poverty spirit. You can live in a tiny one-room shack and keep it clean, swept and neat. Being poor doesn't mean being dirty and trashy; living with a poverty spirit does.
There is a difference between being poor--having little or no income--and having a poverty spirit. Before we can overcome it, we must recognize it! How does a poverty spirit manifest in a life?
A poverty spirit devours everything in its control. We have all heard news stories about someone winning a million+ dollar lottery and within a year or so they are broke, bankrupt and worse off than before they won the lottery. That is a poverty spirit. As with lust, a poverty spirit is never satisfied. It always wants more and always lives beyond its means.
A poverty spirit is selfish, only concerned with itself. It doesn't give freely. It says "mine" "my money" "my stuff". It doesn't give. It clenches money in hand and only releases it to buy "stuff". Then it will clench and hoard the "stuff".
A poverty spirit is destructive. Show me a home and the possessions of a person and I can tell you if a poverty spirit is at work. If they are a mess, unkempt, in disrepair and heading toward ruin, that is a poverty spirit. You can live in a tiny one-room shack and keep it clean, swept and neat. Being poor doesn't mean being dirty and trashy; living with a poverty spirit does.
Recognize--- Renounce--- Renew your mind!
If you recognize that poverty spirit wreaking havoc in your life, renounce it with your speech and actions! Tell it to GO in Jesus' name. Tell it to loose it's hold over your life. Daily renew your mind. Change your thoughts, find the blessings in your life, meditate on those things and thank God for them. Remember that the billionaire who is dying would gladly trade his wealth for your health. He knows that he can always make more money, but time and health are priceless!
He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Luke 16:10 If you don't handle the "little" that you have now, why would God bless you with more?
Cultivate a giving heart and a listening ear to God's leading. Remember that it is all the Father's and you "own" nothing. You have access to it and may freely use it, but God owns it all. When God tells you to help someone, do it. When He tells you to give to a ministry, do it. When God sees your obedience, He can release more finances into your life.
Cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Whatever your situation, you have things to be thankful for. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. Philippians 4:11
Be a good steward of what God HAS already entrusted to you. As much as it is in your power, keep your possessions--your home--neat, clean and in good repair. If you are living in a section 8 rent subsidized project apartment, it can still be clean and neat. It is only a "dump" if you aren't a good steward of what you have. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. Read the whole story of the parable of the talents here: Matthew 25:14-46
Cultivate an attitude of saving. I know all too well about living paycheck-to-paycheck. But to cultivate an attitude of saving, you just have to start somewhere. Even $5 a check. In time, that will increase as you change your mind from being a consumer to a saver. Try it and see!
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. I Timothy 6:10 Money isn't evil, but the LOVE of money is evil. Remember, if you are clenching what you have, tightly in your hands, you aren't able to grab hold of all that God has to give you.
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:31-33
Be blessed,
Arlene
He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Luke 16:10 If you don't handle the "little" that you have now, why would God bless you with more?
Cultivate a giving heart and a listening ear to God's leading. Remember that it is all the Father's and you "own" nothing. You have access to it and may freely use it, but God owns it all. When God tells you to help someone, do it. When He tells you to give to a ministry, do it. When God sees your obedience, He can release more finances into your life.
Cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Whatever your situation, you have things to be thankful for. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. Philippians 4:11
Be a good steward of what God HAS already entrusted to you. As much as it is in your power, keep your possessions--your home--neat, clean and in good repair. If you are living in a section 8 rent subsidized project apartment, it can still be clean and neat. It is only a "dump" if you aren't a good steward of what you have. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. Read the whole story of the parable of the talents here: Matthew 25:14-46
Cultivate an attitude of saving. I know all too well about living paycheck-to-paycheck. But to cultivate an attitude of saving, you just have to start somewhere. Even $5 a check. In time, that will increase as you change your mind from being a consumer to a saver. Try it and see!
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. I Timothy 6:10 Money isn't evil, but the LOVE of money is evil. Remember, if you are clenching what you have, tightly in your hands, you aren't able to grab hold of all that God has to give you.
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:31-33
Be blessed,
Arlene
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