The Blessing of Pathos in Poverty (Draft)

Four Categories of Poverty

It has been said that there are more than 2,000 references to poverty in the Bible, and that Scripure has more to say about poverty than it does about salvation.

Poverty is a very broad term that can be better understood and addressed as we frame it within four generally accepted categories: material need, oppression, affliction/suffering, and illness.

We could call these poverty of health and wealth, life and liberty

Understand the division between internal and external forces behind poverty

Oppression vs Affliction

Wealth vs. Health

The Kingdom belongs to those who are poor in spirit.

Luke records this blessing as being applicable simply to 'the poor'. Is Jesus' blessing focused on the materially poor, or is it symbolic and metaphorical of those who have been humbled by circumstances of life, whatever they may be?

The blessing of the kingdom belongs to those who can feel their need of it.

Recognize their need in their spirit

Feel the oppression of their spirit

Afflicted and suffering in their spirit

Sick and wounded in their spirit.

Not all who are poor recognize their poverty. And not all who are rich are self-sufficient

Rev 3.15 “15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.”

you need to recognize your need