Steve Nearman A sinner saved by grace. Fredericksburg, VA

There is no single one answer to this question. The scriptures tells of two kinds of riches and two types of poverty. One is physical and the other is spiritual. One can abound in this world’s goods and be spiritual destitute or or be living in a sub standard impoverish situation while abounding is spiritual wealth.

The bible talks a lot about the differences between the two and the source of the spiritual wealth and some factors concerning physical wealth.

Believers can have both or neither, while unbelievers can only gain physical wealth for they are always in spiritual poverty.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Eph. 1:3 Not physical blessings in earthly places.

God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col. 1:27

There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches. Prov. 13:7

Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? James 2:5

By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life. Prov. 22:4

He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty. Prov. 22:16

A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him. Prov. 28:22

For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. Mark 14:7

… Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all. Eccl. 9:11

Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase. Prov. 13:11

As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. Eccl. 5:19

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 1 Cor.3:11-14

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation… 1 Tim. 6:17-19

Satan is referred to as the god of this world’s systems. He can and does prosper the wicked in their efforts to their own hurt and believers also. 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. 1 Tim. 6:10

A question that many have; Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead with You; Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously? Jer. 12:1 Or this thought; What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked as mourners before the LORD of hosts? So now we call the proud blessed, for those who do wickedness are raised up; they even tempt God and go free.

God does address that observation of man in His word. I hope this will stir your thinking to search out the answers for yourself. It is a very profitable use of one’s time to study the scriptures. Here are a few references to get you started. There are many more!

Matt. 13:18-30; Lam. 3:21-26; 2 Pet. 3:8-9; Ex. 34:5-7; John 3:16-21; Psa. 58:3-11; Prov. 11:8, 22:8; Gal. 6:7-8; 1 Cor. 3:9-15, Luke 16

December 19 2014 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Ezekiel Kimosop

The Bible teaches us that God is the sources of all riches. Ecclesiastes 5:19 says "Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God." The Moral of the Parable of the Rich Fool makes it clear that God is in control of our lives and our riches should bring Him glory and honor (Luke 12:13-21).

Satan does not possess any resources and has no authority or capacity to make a person rich. However, we know from the Bible that he influences people to disobey God and worship their riches. Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:24 "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." 

This appears to suggest that there is a spiritual force behind the love of money even though money in itself is not evil. Ecc 10:19 says :"A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things."

Is poverty a spiritual problem? This seems the case, by reason of David's observation in Psalm 37:25. While riches come from God, Satan may use this blessing to draw away the faithfulness of a person to God. It happened in Solomon's case given his reflection in Ecc 1:2. We also note that Satan attempted to deceive Jesus by claiming title to the kingdoms of the world (Matt 4:8-10), over which he held no legal title because we know by reason of Psa 24:1 and Psa 50:10 that all the earth's resources and dominions belong to God. 

Can Satan cause poverty? The experience of Job does seem to reinforce this fact, because he lost all he had, but we know that God had permitted the tragedy to come to him as a lesson to Satan that Job was His faithful servant. God later reinstated all his loss on a double basis except for his children. Some Bible scholars say that God did not double his children because those who died had gone to heaven and hence lived on. 

In conclusion we can say that there may be a correlation between poverty and spirituality but not in all circumstances. A person may be materially poor but is rich toward God (Luke 12:21). James also teaches that spiritual riches are of greater value than earthly riches. James 2:5 says "...Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?" God remains sovereign to His saints whether they be rich or poor. He will supply their need according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). 

The New Testament teaches that we should observe contentment and moderation as God's people because we know where our true eternal riches are kept. Matthew 6:20-21 says "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." 

Earthly riches are not sinful per se, but there is a mortal danger that goes with riches of which every child of God should be wary. The warning of Jesus in Matthew 16:26 is instructive: "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

December 18 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report