4 Types of Poverty to Overcome

Although the definition of poverty can differ from person to person, I want to share with you 4 types that people can experience in their life.

Before we get into this, I want to make it clear that we should not think that poverty is somehow an indicator of how close or far someone is to God. There are different reasons why a person may be in the financial circumstance they are in.

4 Main Reasons for Poverty

1. Poverty as an attack from satan (It’s a curse).

One of the first things that happened as a result of the fall of man was the need for him to work for his food.

Then to Adam, He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil, you shall eat of it all the days of your life.

Genesis 3:17

It’s important to know that satan can attack our health, our relationships, and even our finances. The Bible says he comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). That isn’t just limited to our spiritual life, but can affect our physical life as well.

Sometimes satan is successful in doing so as a result of an open door like stealing or denying someone financial help when we were able to. Other times it can be generational. If you notice that there is a constant attack on your finances, regardless of your hardworking family, you should come against it.

Repent of anything that might have opened the door to that curse, and ask God for mercy and grace. Begin to live a generous life, full of faith and trust in God.

Read: 10 Steps to Break Curses

2. Poverty as an affliction while serving God (It’s a test).

This type of poverty can happen to anyone. It’s not a curse, but rather a test. The Bible says,

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Psalm 34:19

This type of poverty is temporary. During this season, view it as a purification. An example of this sort of poverty is Job. He did not have an open door for the devil to come and attack him, yet he still suffered poverty.

Despite that, he remained loyal to the Lord. And as a result of his solid trust in God and his character, he received double for his trouble.

In another portion, the Scripture says,

…For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Matthew 5:45

During these tough seasons in our lives, it can be easy to start chasing the devil, especially when things begin to pile on. I want to encourage you to be faithful to God at this time. Continue to serve, love His people, and continue being generous. You may not be able to be generous financially but do so with your time.

Be a person who does not allow your Christian character to be paralyzed and crippled because of financial hardships. And never allow greed to enter your heart. Especially in trying times like these.

Be wise and don’t allow satan to draw you to make money in ways that are deceitful and do not glorify God.

3. Poverty as an act of love (It’s a choice).

This type of poverty is what Jesus experienced. He became poor so that we would become enriched. This is when we choose to have less out of an act of love toward others.

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.

2 Corinthians 8:9

Keep in mind, in order to become this poor you have to be rich first. 

Many people throughout history have given all they’ve had for the sake of the gospel and eternity. Why?

Because of the love they had for the Lord. For instance, remember the story of the woman who broke the oil at Jesus’s feet that was worth a year of income? Even people that were witnesses of that event wondered why she would do that if the money could clearly have been spent on a project. However, it was the love she had for the Lord that drove her to do that.

The love of money is the root of all evil, and the love of God is the root of all giving.

This type of poverty is also temporary because while we lose our riches on earth we gain eternal treasures in heaven.

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Matthew 19:21

4. Poverty as a result of a poor decision (Addiction, rebellion, laziness, greed, pride).

Lastly, there is a fourth type of poverty and it is one that comes about from certain choices that we make or habits that we form.

If you read the book of Proverbs, you will see so many tips not only teaching us how to know God, but also how to prosper financially. Now, I am not a prosperity preacher, I am a preacher of the Gospel.

However, I do believe that God desires people to be blessed so that we can be a blessing to the poor. God doesn’t expect the government to take care of the poor. The Bible teaches us that He expects us to do that. And how can we do that if we are always in desperate need?

When God blesses us, it’s not just for us. It’s so God can be a blessing through us.

In order to do that we must be faithful to God and walk in purity, holiness, and integrity. It’s important to understand that your prosperity has a purpose; your blessing has an assignment.

If you have made bad choices and are now facing the consequences of that, it’s never too late to turn to God. Humble yourself before Him and decide to make an honest living. Honor God with your finances.

No matter what season of life you may be facing, keep your eyes on God, and remember,

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1