Poverty and Prosperity in Proverbs
-Proverbs 13:7
Health and wealth have become the slogans for modern "Christianity." The Church has adopted the world's false philosophy of what prosperity and success really are. In Proverbs, We are taught a Biblical view of poverty and prosperity.
Definitions:
Poverty: The state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or
material possessions
Prosperity: The condition of being successful or thriving
1. Being Rich or Being Poor -Proverbs 30:8-9
A. In America, we have some people who will live for wealth, and some who do not desire
wealth, and are pleased to live in poverty.
B. God uses wealthy people. (Example: ____________________________________________)
C. God uses poor people. (Example: ______________________________________________)
D. The key is when your focus is on God, you will always be prosperous (eternal prosperity).
2. God's response to poverty and the poor
A. God shows us in Proverbs some things that lead to poverty.
i. LAZINESS/SLOTHFULNESS- Proverbs 6:10; 10:4a; 13:4a
ii. Love for Pleasure -Proverbs 21:17
iii. Alcohol -Proverbs 23:21
B. God is VERY concerned about how the poor/needy are treated
i. God honors those who help the poor. (Proverbs 14:21,31; 19:17; 22:9; 28:27a)
ii. God condemns those who despise the poor. (Proverbs 17:5; 21:13; 29:7)
3. The Road to Prosperity
A. Prosperity takes work, whether Spiritual or Physical. (Proverbs 24:30-34)
*Success requires work!
B. "Get Rich Quick" or "Easy Prosperity" are not success. ( Proverbs 22:16; 28:8,22)
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