Poverty is a complex issue, and the Bible doesn’t provide a single cause for poverty. But it does offer some clues as to how we might go about addressing it.
The Bible teaches us that sin is the cause of poverty in two ways: by creating a heart that’s hardened against God and by causing the poor to be burdened with debt. This burden can come from things like medical bills or student loans—and even from gambling or alcohol addictions.
In addition to this, the Bible teaches us that some people are born into poverty due to circumstances beyond their control (such as natural disasters, war, or political unrest). The Bible also points out that wealth can be gained through illegal means such as theft or embezzlement (see Proverbs 13:11).
What Is Poverty According to The Bible
Poverty is defined as the state or condition where people and communities cannot meet a minimum standard of living because they lack the proper resources. These include (but aren’t limited to) financial resources, basic healthcare and education, clean drinking water, and infrastructure.
Anyone who lacks “sufficient money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society” is considered poor. There are many reasons someone could be poor. Sometimes poverty is the result of foolish decisions (Prov. 6:10-11, 10:4, 14:23), and other times poverty is no fault of one’s own (John 9:3).
In the New Testament there are four terms that refer to poverty: ptochos, penes, endees and penichros. The term ptochos refers to poverty in its most literal sense, and actually indicates those who are extremely poor and destitute, to the point of begging, thus implying a continuous state (Louw & Nida 1988:564).
- Unemployment
- Underemployment
- Low wages
- Lack of education
- Health issues
Biblical Perspectives on Poverty
- Prov. 6:10-11 – Laziness leads to poverty
- Prov. 10:4 – Diligence leads to wealth
- Prov. 14:23 – Hard work brings profit
- John 9:3 – Poverty is not always a result of personal sin
Types of Poverty in the New Testament
- Ptochos – Extremely poor and destitute
- Penes – Those lacking resources for basic needs
- Endees – Those who are completely destitute
- Penichros – Those who have little or no resources
Causes of Poverty According To The Bible
The Bible is a book that has had a profound impact on the world. It is written in many different languages and has been translated into more than 2,000 languages. It also contains many stories that have been told for generations and are still being told today.
One of these stories is about poverty. The Bible describes poverty as an issue that affects everyone in some way or another. It also states that there are certain things that can cause poverty, such as greed and a lack of compassion for others. These factors can cause one to become poor, which can lead to other issues such as homelessness and hunger.
Poverty is an issue that affects millions of people around the world, and it’s one that can be difficult to understand. The Bible has a lot to say about poverty, but do you know what causes poverty?
Let’s look at some of the causes of poverty, according to the Bible.
- The Curse of Adam: According to the book of Genesis in the Bible, Adam’s sin brought “curse” upon all of creation. This curse includes death, pain, suffering, and scarcity. In other words, Adam’s sin brought poverty into our world.
Right here on Churchgist, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on what sin causes poverty, spiritual causes of poverty, biblical causes and cure of poverty and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.
What Is Poverty According To The Bible
Riches were commonly accumulated through oppressing workers, exploiting slaves, and taxing people heavily. A second cause of poverty resulted from laziness or moral foolishness such that an individual failed to create wealth through honest work (2 Thessalonians 3:11; Ephesians 4:28; Luke 15:11- 24).
Today we continue our series of excerpts from IFWE’s forthcoming book, For the Least of These: A Biblical Answer to Poverty. Today’s post begins Visiting Scholar David Kotter‘s examination of the New Testament’s teaching on poverty.
Can the advance of the gospel reduce poverty until it is ultimately eliminated in heaven? Can the gospel change hearts and lives in ways that lead to the creation of wealth?
This brief series will attempt to answer these questions, beginning with a survey of the causes of poverty described in the teachings of the New Testament.
The New Testament has much to say about poverty, its causes, and the principles undergirding its solutions.
Jesus Christ incarnated the love of God through personal ministry, which included proclaiming “good news to the poor” (Luke 4:17–18). The Apostle Paul coordinated a relief mission for the poor while preaching the gospel. He reported that remembering the poor was “the very thing I was eager to do” because the gospel provides solutions that address the underlying causes of poverty (Galatians 2:10).
Indeed, Jesus did something even greater for the poor: he sacrificed his life on a cross so that both the rich and the poor could be forgiven and enter the kingdom of God. This gets to the heart of God’s compassion for the poor: poverty and hunger are problems that should be alleviated on earth, while the ultimate solution is the full realization of the kingdom of God (Luke 6:20–22)
How To Overcome Poverty Biblically
The Distinction between Wealth & Riches
First, however, we want to start the discussion with what the Bible says about people who have money. The Bible uses both “wealth” and “riches” when describing such people. Though “wealth” and “riches” are often used interchangeably, there is a conceptual distinction based on heart attitudes and the means of procurement.
In the New Testament, riches were associated with ostentatious displays of gold and fine clothes (James 2:17), sumptuous feasting (Luke 16:19), self-indulgence (Luke 19:16–20), stinginess toward the poor (Luke 16:19–31), fraud against workers (James 5:4), and wandering away from the faith (1 Timothy 6:9–10). With this in mind, the New Testament appropriately condemns rich people with self-indulgent heart attitudes while also encouraging the creation of wealth.
Wealth is created as people obey the cultural mandate of Genesis 1:28 to subdue the world and make it useful for human beings. In the first century, this was mostly accomplished through diligent farming and honest trading (2 Timothy 2:6; Acts 18:1-3). As wealth was created, people were prepared to share with those in need (Ephesians 4:28). Such people were expected to view wealth as a stewardship (1 Corinthians 7:29-31). For example, Lydia was a wealthy merchant but was not distracted by her expensive goods from hearing the gospel message from Paul (Acts 16:14).
Therefore, amassing riches is one of the causes of poverty, but the creation of wealth through obedience to the cultural mandate alleviates poverty.
Causes of Poverty in the New Testament
One cause of poverty in the New Testament was those who became rich by oppressing the poor (James 5:1-4) or by hoarding riches in the face of obvious needs (Luke 12:15-21). In the first century, creating wealth was difficult because the vast majority of the population was employed in subsistence farming. Riches were commonly accumulated through oppressing workers, exploiting slaves, and taxing people heavily.
A second cause of poverty resulted from laziness or moral foolishness such that an individual failed to create wealth through honest work (2 Thessalonians 3:11; Ephesians 4:28; Luke 15:11-24). Church leaders were instructed to admonish the idle (1 Thessalonians 5:14) and rebuke the lazy (Titus 1:12-13). The expectation of believers was to “aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).
A third cause involved sudden disasters that destroyed wealth, or calamities—such as droughts—that inhibited farmers from creating wealth (Luke 15:4-9). Limited technology and markets made recovery from loss much more difficult in the first century, and this contributed to ongoing poverty. For example, a shepherd could only expect to increase his flock in the birthing season, whereas a modern factory could make up for lost production using three shifts around the clock.
Problems associated with living in a fallen world – such as old age, illness, or loss of family members – constituted a fourth cause of poverty. Blindness or other infirmities prevented many from working to create wealth. Women were frequently widowed and needed to rely on their children or even grandchildren to care for their needs (1 Timothy 5:3-4).
However, altogether, each of these causes had one thing in common. Essentially everyone was poor and lived at the edge of subsistence because of one root cause: sin. We’ll discuss this idea further in the next post.
Being poor is a choice. . . this is true anywhere in the world but especially if you live in the United States.
A person or family may not have chosen to be living in poverty but they definitely have made a mental decision to accept their situation and have chosen to stay there. They may not even mentally ‘know’ they’ve chosen the lifestyle . . . but it all hinges on choices we make. Included in that is the decision to not change where we’re at.
A decision not to change is a decision to remain the same.
I can cite examples of people in countries. . .industrialized and third world who decided they were tired of being poor and took control of their financial destiny.
How can I be so sure that poverty is not a predetermined destiny?
Deuteronomy 15:4-5 in the Message Bible says:
“There must be no poor people among you because God is going to bless you lavishly in this land that God, your God, is giving you as an inheritance, your very own land. But only if you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, diligently observing every commandment that I command you today. Oh yes—God, your God, will bless you just as he promised.”
This verse doesn’t say that God is going to bless some people.
It doesn’t say God is going to bless those who live on the right side of the tracks or in the right country or have a certain color of skin.
The scripture does say that we must diligently follow His commandments . . .His instructions but let me tell you this . . . there are unsaved successful people who follow biblical principles . . . they just don’t realize they came from the Bible.
First, let’s deal with the fact that if God commanded us to be poor. . .we would obey. But God’s Word does not advocate poverty for anyone!
Too many Christians are operating in a poverty mentality while the devil’s crowd lives the best life possible.
Ephesians 1:18 says:
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.”
Paul talks about “. . . the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.”
The Greek word translated riches in this verse is ploutos. It is a form of a base word meaning to “fill.” Its literal meaning is “money, possessions.”
Even figuratively it refers to “abundance, riches, valuable bestowment.”
Our inheritance as sons and daughters of the King of all kings is a life free from want and poverty.
Read carefully what the Scripture says. Our inheritance is “. . . the riches of the glory of his [God’s] inheritance.” Yet, most Christians are settling for the used shells while the world eats the peanuts.
Psalm 24:1 says:
“The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”
God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, but He doesn’t eat hamburgers! Have you ever wondered what all those cows are for? They are for us, His children!
Poverty is not godly and it certainly isn’t biblical. God wants us to open our eyes to see the invisible world—to see the blessings He has in store for all those who love Him.
2 Peter 1:3 says:
“According as his divine power hath given unto usall things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.”
Does gasoline pertain to life? Do shoes pertain to life? Does food pertain to life? Yes! Your Heavenly Father knows you have need of many material things.
It is no surprise to God that your car needs tires. It is no surprise to God that you need a coat when the temperature is cold.
God intends for you to have all your needs supplied according to His riches in glory.
In some Christian circles, poverty may be popular, but it is not a Bible-founded principle. Poverty goes against everything the Bible teaches and finds its roots, causes, and effects in its author, satan.
Let me also point out that poverty will never make you happy nor for that matter neither will prosperity.
Rich people commit suicide, take drugs, get drunk, and get divorces and so do poor people.
There is nothing sacred, holy, or happy about being poor.
Happiness has very little to do with the presence or absence of material things, but unhappiness can come from a lack of certain material necessities, such as food, clothing and housing.
Happiness has to do primarily with the inner man. If you aren’t happy on the inside, neither wealth nor poverty will make you happy.
You see, neither money nor the lack of it will change your inner man. Being poor does not make you holy or happy.
If you are prosperous and have a Christ-controlled inner man, the Spirit of Christ within you will influence the way you spend your wealth.
You will meet your own basic needs and wants, and you will support local and world mission projects, strategic television outreaches, special projects in your local church and other gospel outreaches.
You will be happy because you will be accomplishing God’s purpose with your money.
Poverty or wealth will not bring happiness.
Happiness only comes from Jesus Christ. When you make Jesus Christ Lord of your life, you will be able to bring much joy to the Body of Christ with the money you supply for the spreading of the gospel.
Now let’s go a little further.
What does it mean to be poor?
Is a person poor if they’re unable to pay their bills? Think twice before answering.
Because the answer is “no.” I hear from large numbers of people every day. . .many of whom can’t pay their bills yet they have a six-figure income! That’s definitely not being poor but it is being broke.
- How do we define “poor” in our contemporary society?
- Does living on the wrong side of the tracks make you poor?
- Does having your house in foreclosure make you poor?
- Does losing your job make you poor?
- Does being an inmate make you poor?
- Does being homeless make you poor?
- Does living in a bad neighborhood make you poor?
- Does driving an old, beat-up car make your poor?
Being poor is simply not having enough food, clothing and shelter for your family. But let me quickly point out that not having enough food in the United States is much different than not having enough food in other parts of the world where poverty is a common way of life.
One of the most dangerous things that can happen to a person is developing a poverty mentality.
Let me just tell you that the number one opponent of prosperity is the devil. . .he is also the number proponent of poverty.
Satan is a thief. He is a deceptive, calculating plunderer.
If left unchecked, he will move in and out of your life at his own discretion, trying to find ways to rob and defraud you of all the promises God has planned for you.
Understand this: James 1:17 says every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father. It also adds that He never changes His mind on wanting to see you blessed.
Sadly, the devil has stolen finances from many of the saints by convincing them that poverty is godly, and prosperity is evil. Not according to God!
His lies have kept many Christians crippled, ineffective, and impotent long enough! Satan has stolen the quality of life God intends for all His saints as much as he can.
Establish this principle clearly in your mind. God wants you to be prosperous, and the devil wants you to be poor.
Prosperity is a mental attitudebefore it can become a materialstatebut it can only be attained through a spiritual battle!
Ephesians 6:12 says:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
I want you to see Ephesians 6:10-12 in the Message Bible.
“And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.”
It is time we expose the devil for the father of lies that he is (John 8:44).
It is time we depose him from his position as the ruler who keeps people in the darkness of this world.
The devil has used his lies about money to destroy good relationships, break up families, and even split churches.
But, that doesn’t make money evil. It was Satan’s lies about money that were evil!
It is time to serve notice on the devil! He has deceived long enough.
For too long he has “ripped off” our possessions and indiscriminately robbed the saints of God, literally diminishing our quality of life.
The spirit of poverty can affect everyone. Poverty can be defined as “the fear of ‘not getting’ that causes you to hold on more tightly to what you do have.”
It’s important for you to understand that poverty will not keep you out of heaven but it might keep somebody else out!
It’s also important to understand that poverty happens inside you before it ever happens around you. Poverty first manifests in the spirit and then the natural.
And yes, there is something worse than being poor . . .it’s having a poverty mentality.
Being poor is not being without money . . .it’s being without a dream that will take you out of “poor.”
It is time to take a stand. But first we need to have a scriptural understanding of why poverty is evil.
