Causes of poverty

Poverty arises from human sin

Ge 3:17–19 Compare this with the description of Eden in Ge 2:9-14.

Causes of poverty

Divine retribution brings poverty

Deuteronomy 28:47–48 NKJV

“Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you.

See also Pr 22:16; Is 3:1; Am 4:6; Am 5:11

Idleness brings poverty

Proverbs 6:10–11 NKJV

A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep— So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.

See also Pr 10:4; Pr 14:23; Pr 20:13; Pr 24:33–34

Misfortune brings poverty

Job 1:13–21 These trials were inflicted by Satan but allowed by God as a test of Job’s faith.

Dissolute living brings poverty

Proverbs 21:17 NKJV

He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

See also Pr 6:26; Pr 28:19; Lk 15:14

Lack of discipline brings poverty

Pr 13:18; Pr 21:5

Rash promises bring poverty

Proverbs 22:26–27 NKJV

Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, One of those who is surety for debts; If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you?

Debt brings poverty

Matthew 18:23–25 NKJV

Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.

Neglect of God’s law of giving brings poverty

Pr 11:24; Pr 28:22; Ac 20:35

Neglect of God’s work brings poverty

Haggai 1:9 NKJV

“You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house.

Oppression brings poverty

Jdg 6:6; Job 20:19; Pr 13:23; Is 1:7; Jas 5:4

Famine brings poverty

Ge 45:11; Ge 47:20–21

Poverty affects good as well as evil people

The righteous often escape poverty

Dt 8:7–9; Ps 34:9–10; Ps 37:25

Many of the godly have been poor

2 Ki 4:1; Lk 16:20; Ro 15:26

Jesus Christ was poor

Matthew 8:20 NKJV

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Results of poverty

Poverty results in ruin

Proverbs 10:15 NKJV

The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

Poverty results in shame

See also Pr 13:18; Lk 16:3

Poverty results in misery

Proverbs 31:7 NKJV

Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.

Poverty results in crime

Pr 6:30; Pr 30:8–9

Poverty need not lead to ungodliness

Ps 119:71; Mk 12:44; 2 Co 8:2; Jas 2:5; Re 2:9

Voluntary poverty

Jesus Christ’s example of voluntary poverty

2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Voluntary poverty commanded of some

Mt 19:21–22 Jesus Christ did not say this to everyone.

Voluntary poverty experienced by others

See also Heb 10:34

Love essential in voluntary poverty

1 Co 13:3; 2 Co 6:10