Perceptions Of Poverty

There is a key verse that The Lord gave me as He began to teach me as a young man how to lead my family out of poverty and off of welfare. Of course there were many scriptures He used to correct, convict and guide me. Many having to do with work, attitude and diligence. He corrected me many times on laziness, slothfulness and cleanliness, both natural and spiritual.

However, the verse that He placed deep in my spirit and impregnated my soul with was key to all He has done for me. I believe it  has a prophetic significance to the time we are living in now. I will explain further in this blog post. Here is that verse in the translation The Lord sowed into me.

Proverbs 22:9 King James Version (KJV)

9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

 Such a short verse but within it holds all we need to know about The Lords heart and will when it comes to finances and poverty. Within it is a plan to not only use wealth to help the poor, but also to escape poverty itself. From the those who have severe lack, to those with an abundance, this verse speaks Heavenly Wisdom and Godly Instruction on how The Lord wants to provide for all mankind, so that none starve, none die from lack and that He may be glorified even in this fallen , sick world.

 I recently returned from a trip to Honduras. There I witnessed both abundance and poverty, living side by side. Much like here in The United States, but at quite different contrast. Being poor here many times causes the poor to choose between healthy and unhealthy food. Quality food verses what is seen as less quality. Food purchased or food given through food banks or charity. This goes for health care, medicine , transportation. Here being poor means choosing between quality and base.

 What I noticed there is there for many, sometimes whole villages, being poor means you have no choice. You have no food, no medicine, no access to even the basic health care. Being poor means choosing life or death, starvation or eating from scrap piles, stealing, begging...etc. 

Honestly there is no need for them to starve, the resources are there. There is no reason for them to die because of lack of basic medicine, the resources are there. There is just as much waste among those who have money there than there is here. To bring this on to a grander stage, there is an abundance of resources in The Body Of Christ in this world to meet the basic needs of the starving and dying on this planet.

Proverbs 22:9 King James Version (KJV)

9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

 Why don't we give more? Why don't we care more? Why don't we take on the responsibility of caring for those who truly have nothing and are crying out to just be fed, clothed, sheltered and loved? Why do we value stuff, comfort, fancy technology, nice furniture, expensive cars, jewelry, clothes over the lives of our brothers and sisters, our neighbors who are dying and begging for the scraps from our tables?

 This is a question I am asking myself. I believe there are a few key answers to this. First I believe we have grown to value comfort over sacrifice. We want the most comfortable churches with the most expensive decor and technology available to further our comfort and  entertainment experience. I believe this is just as much the "fault" of the Modern Christian as it is the leaders of The Church.

 Many modern Christians have become soft, comfort seekers, pleasure seekers, not disciples of Christ who are willing to DENY THEMSELVES, take up their crosses and follow HIM. That though is not the message of this post, because I believe there is even a deeper reason we are not having the impact on the poor , and our own prosperity, that we have the potential to have. It is because we have failed to see the Wisdom and Instruction in our key verse, we do not have a bountiful eye in connection with giving our supply to the poor.

 It is easy to have a bountiful eye when obtaining the things we desire. It is easy to have a bountiful eye to purchase things and services that will directly impact our comfort and security. It is easy to say I don't have a poverty mindset so I can enjoy the best things in life, trinkets and stuff. And blessings are okay and from God.  

 However, we seem to have more trouble having that same bountiful eye when it comes to the poor. Those truly dying because we are not giving them the life sustaining things they need. In America we don't see the life and death choices of poverty as much. We have food stamps, medicaid, emergency rooms that must treat. These are all good , abused but good. 

The best example in this nation of the scourge of poverty being allowed by those who have the means to stop it, is our education system.  It has been greed, oppression and neglect that has led to the conditions in our inner-city schools. The nation's eyes are turned away and will not be bountiful to those in poverty, and for that reason, blessings are withheld in ways we will weep over someday.

What would a Church or a person with a bountiful eye look like today. There are many already, but what could we do collectively, if we all came together and determined to save as many lives from the the death grip of the enemy? What is we determined people were more important than stuff? Mission more important than possessions? That feeding and medicating whole villages was more pleasing to us that a million dollar light and sound system so our churches can be better entertained? Do we have a bountiful eye for lives?

 The LORD promises us blessing if we will choose to have a bountiful eye in connection with giving our supply to the poor. This message is a message of joy. We have not even scratched the surface of the great blessings both natural and of the soul that we can obtain by understanding the joy of bringing life giving supply to those dying to receive it from us. 

 I starting this blog stating how The Lord used our key verse to lead my young family out of poverty and off welfare. He gave me a bountiful eye. Even while we were on Food Stamps we began to give to those who I saw as in need. We gave even out of lack, we probably gave too much at times, didn't use wisdom while giving, but The Lord gave us a bountiful eye. We had lack but there were others who were suffering true pain and poverty.  

 Where we couldn't reach those in need we gave to ministries that reached them on the ground, that showed that they had a bountiful eye toward the hurting, not toward their own wealth and kingdoms. We actually gave ourselves out at one point, because it held true that The Lord would bless us in more ways than just financial.

 Did we have the best of everything? No, fancy jewelry, cars, furniture, nope, never needed it. We did have many great vacations, adventure and trips that blessed us greatly. 

 Now this verse has resurfaced in my life. I want to have a bountiful eye again. I want to see all the bounty God has placed around us and see it flowing toward the poor and dying. I want to build churches where there is no Shepherd. Train ministers in The WORD AND THE SPIRIT to bring revival and joy to the broken hearted and oppressed.  I want an eye so bountiful that I can say in faith NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD!  

 I want to see a Church that would trade in all the comforts of ease and come receive the word in a plain building, with the basics functions and still worship with all their hearts and substance. So that our eye would not be distracted by lights , but be filled with His Light, so we could see with His eyes the plight of those waiting for the scraps from our table. I want to see a liquidation of stuff in order to provide wells in every village, clinics in every village, meals in every village.

 I want a bountiful eye of faith to turn the hearts of even the wicked to guard our righteous cause. There is no limit to the blessings God will bring to a people with a bountiful eye toward the poor and the nations. 

Someone will say: "That is pie in the sky, not possible, there is too many obstacles".  You are in need of faith and have a sparse eye, not a bountiful one. You may be wealthy according to world standards but are poor in the eye of faith.

This women is the shining example of a bountiful eye!

Luke 21:4 New Living Translation (NLT)

4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

The Gospel .....

Proverbs 22:9 King James Version (KJV)

9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

Luke 4:18-19 New Living Translation (NLT)

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

    for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,

    that the blind will see,

that the oppressed will be set free,

19     and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.

Acts 10:38 New Living Translation (NLT)

38 And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Luke 7:22 New Living Translation (NLT)

22 Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.”

Proverbs 14:31 New King James Version (NKJV)

31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker,
But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

Proverbs 28 New Living Translation (NLT)

1 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,
    but the godly are as bold as lions.

2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
    But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.

3 A poor person who oppresses the poor
    is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.

4 To reject the law is to praise the wicked;
    to obey the law is to fight them.

5 Evil people don’t understand justice,
    but those who follow the Lord understand completely.

6 Better to be poor and honest
    than to be dishonest and rich.

7 Young people who obey the law are wise;
    those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.[a]

8 Income from charging high interest rates
    will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

9 God detests the prayers
    of a person who ignores the law.

10 Those who lead good people along an evil path
    will fall into their own trap,
    but the honest will inherit good things.

11 Rich people may think they are wise,
    but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.

12 When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.
    When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
    but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

14 Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,
    but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.

15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor
    as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.

16 A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,
    but one who hates corruption will have a long life.

17 A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave.
    Don’t protect him!

18 The blameless will be rescued from harm,
    but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.

19 A hard worker has plenty of food,
    but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.

20 The trustworthy person will get a rich reward,
    but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.

21 Showing partiality is never good,
    yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.

22 Greedy people try to get rich quick
    but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.

23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism
    far more than flattery.

24 Anyone who steals from his father and mother
    and says, “What’s wrong with that?”
    is no better than a murderer.

25 Greed causes fighting;
    trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.

26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish,
    but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.

27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
    but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.

28 When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
    When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.

He Is Waiting