Listen to this articleThe following is a series of teachings I gave to a brother in response to his questions and statements concerning poverty and prosperity.
His statement
- God does not care about our physical needs , wether I am broke and no money even to buy food . i should be content with the little I have , If I am sleepin on the floor having just non to one meal per day , It is ok . God is smiling and happy if I accumulate the heavenly riches , my physical needs he doesnt care
My RESPONSE
This concept of saying that God does not care about our physical needs goes against the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you think that God does not care about whether you have nice clothes, a house, a car, food and such things, then you have missed the point.
Jesus taught us that it is God’s responsibility to provide us with physical needs
Luke 12:22-24, 27-28 (NET)
22 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.
23 For there is more to life than food, and more to the body than clothing.
24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than the birds!
27 Consider how the flowers grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these!
28 And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, how much more will he clothe you, you people of little faith!
The point that Jesus is making is this, God cares so much about your physical needs that you need to trust that he will cover you. The worry, should not be yours but trust that God will provide.
If God makes sure that birds have enough to eat, why would he not make sure you have enough, especially considering that you are more valuable than birds. If God makes flowers look good on the outside, and look beautiful, why would he not make you look beautiful on the outside.
This is the point that Jesus is making: The responsibility for your physical needs, is not yours but God’s. So, God cares about whther you look good or not, whether you have food and whether you have a house. He is your father and he provides.
Jesus continues…
Luke 12:29-30 (NET)
29 So do not be overly concerned about what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not worry about such things.
30 For all the nations of the world pursue these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
So, when the bible tells you not to pursue physical riches, its not because God thinks they are evil, NO, its because you have faith that God already knows you need money, you need a car, you need these things, and you have faith that as your Father, he will provide.
Jesus showed us this example in his earthly ministry.
a) He turned water into wine.
This miracle satisfied a physical need. Jesus did not say, I only do spiritual things. No. Jesus used spiritual power to make sure people at a party had enough wine.
b) Jesus fed the 5000 with bread and fish.
Matthew 14:15-20 (NET)
15 When evening arrived, his disciples came to him saying, “This is an isolated place and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away so that they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”
16 But he replied, “They don’t need to go. You give them something to eat.”
17 They said to him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”
18 “Bring them here to me,” he replied.
19 Then he instructed the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, and looking up to heaven he gave thanks and broke the loaves. He gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.
20 They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the broken pieces left over, twelve baskets full.
This miracle satisfied a physical need. People were hungry, Jesus used spiritual power so their stomachs can be filled. It’s that simple. Jesus cares about your physical well being. Your body is His Temple. He wants it in good shape.
c) Jesus caused miracle money.
Jesus produced miracle money in order for him and his disciples to pay tax.
Matthew 17:27 (NET)
But so that we don’t offend them, go to the lake and throw out a hook. Take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth, you will find a four drachma coin. Take that and give it to them for me and you.”
In the world we live in, we need money to pay bills and taxes and school fees. Here Jesus used his spiritual power to make sure that Peter and him could pay a bill. He is the same yesterday today and forever. If he cared about paying Peter’s bills, he cares about paying your bills.
IN CONCLUSION
Those who say God does not care about our physical needs are against the bible. The bible simply states that YOU SHOULD NOT FOCUS ON YOUR PHYSICAL NEEDS. You focus on HIS KINGDOM AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and GOD will focus and cover your needs.
Matthew 6:33 (NET)
But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
So, people who say God does not care about your physical needs are wrong. People who use the pulpit to focus on physical needs are also wrong. Man should focus on righteousness and kingdom, God focuses on physical wealth for us.
Statement Two
- Poverty is godly as long as you have riches in heaven
My Response
This statement is incorrect. Poverty id NOT godly or ungodly. Poverty is poverty. What matters is your heart to God. Money whether its little or much, has no reflection on your spiritual identity.
Jesus explains.
Luke 12:15 (NET)
Then he said to them, “Watch out and guard yourself from all types of greed, because one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Having lots of money does not make you unholy or holy. Money is not a reflection of your spirituality.
What God hates is greed. Covetousness. Covetousness is the state where you feel like, without money then you can not be happy. Both rich people and poor people can become covetous if they are not careful.
Money can easily become an idol in your life, but it is still true that God blesses his children with money and food in abundance.
2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (NET)
10 Now God who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your supply of seed and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow.
11 You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous on every occasion, which is producing through us thanksgiving to God,
God does not want you to be MONEY MINDED, he wants you to be KINGDOM MINDED. However, that does not mean he wants you to be physically poor.
God blesses you with money, but he also blesses us with suffering.
Romans 5:3-5 (NET)
3 Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
4 and endurance, character, and character, hope.
5 And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
The sufferings that come from God, are a blessing because they build our character and make us more like Jesus. Even Jesus was blessed and built up through suffering.
Hebrews 5:8-9 (NET)
8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through the things he suffered.
9 And by being perfected in this way, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
All those who hope to share in the glory of Christ must expect to go through a season where they partake in his sufferings.
Romans 8:17-18 (NET)
17 And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ) – if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him.
18 For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us.
So every Christian has a cross to bear and a glory that comes from it. You have a cup of suffering and a crown of glory. God blesses us with wealth and also with suffering. Each has its benefits. Even the hundredfold comes bundled with its form of suffering. But it’s not suffering for no reason, its suffering that produces character.
Mark 10:29-30 (KJV)
29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
This suffering that God gives is a blessing for which we must rejoice.
James 1:2-4 (NET)
2 My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.
CONCLUSION
Wealth or poverty does not add or subtract from our spirituality. God provides us with seasons in life. There is a season to experience Gods plenty, and a season to experience the sufferings of Christ. When we suffer with him, we also share in his glory.
Those who preach suffering without wealth from God are wrong, those who preach wealth from God without suffering are wrong.
As scripture says…
Job 2:10 (BBE)
And he said to her, You are talking like one of the foolish women. If we take the good God sends us, are we not to take the evil when it comes? In all this Job kept his lips from sin.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 (BBE)
1 For everything there is a fixed time, and a time for every business under the sun.
2 A time for birth and a time for death; a time for planting and a time for uprooting;
3 A time to put to death and a time to make well; a time for pulling down and a time for building up;
4 A time for weeping and a time for laughing; a time for sorrow and a time for dancing;
……………..
There are times when Jesus will say, I know that you are suffering, but I want you to learn endurance and patience,and I will reward you with heavenly riches.
Revelation 2:9-10 (NET)
9 ‘I know the distress you are suffering and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know the slander against you by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself.
So, it’s not always that God wants you to get out of poverty and its not always that God wants you to remain in suffering.
What’s important is to understand the seasons of your life and to be in constant fellowship to hear God always, to be led by the spirit, so you know whether its a season to rebuke the devil, or to endure the fire.
This is how Paul lived…
Philippians 4:12-13 (NET)
12 I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing.
13 I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.
