How to Prosper in Hard Times God’s Way: Poverty Is a Curse

Hi, this is Dr. Mike Smalley. Welcome to this edition of Strengthen Your Walk™. I’m teaching today out of my book, How to Prosper in Hard Times God’s Way. Everything you and I do we want to do God’s way with His approval, His blessing, and do it right. Just do it God’s way. Scripture says there is a way that seems right to a man, but at the end of that way is the way of death. God’s way is the right way.

I want to remind you today that all through the Scripture poverty was always referenced as a curse. When you read Leviticus chapter 26, Deuteronomy chapter 28, these two lengthy chapters in the Old Testament, God said to His people, “If you walk in My ways and obey Me, these are the blessings that happen. And if you don’t, here’s the bad stuff that will happen. Here’s the consequences. Here’s what’s going to happen.” And poverty was always in the mix for the bad stuff. It was never forecasted in Scripture as a wonderful thing.

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You know, many people think that Jesus was poor in His earthly ministry, but think about it. He had 12 disciples that traveled with Him full-time. And some of them we know were married and they had commercial businesses and they had their own bills, their own family. There was no birth control in that day, so it makes sense. Married people who had been married a few years probably had some kids as well. So when Jesus said to the disciples, “Leave your jobs and come hang out with Me for three years,” He was assuming financial responsibility for all of those men. He was not poor.

When Judas watched the woman break the alabaster jar of ointment over His feet one day and pour the perfume over Him, he said angrily, “This could have been sold.” This was an expensive perfume. He said, “That could have been sold for nine months of an average salary.” Nine months. I don’t know what you make a year, but imagine what you make in nine months and buying one bottle of perfume for that amount and then pouring it all out instantly in one occasion. Judas said that money could have been given to the poor.

And Jesus didn’t say, “Who do you think we are?” He didn’t say, “Well, that’s what she did. It’s me.” He said this very interesting phrase. He said, “Judas, the poor, you will always have with you, but you won’t always have Me. She’s done what is right.” God’s never, ever aligned Himself as a poverty God. Now, God obviously loves the poor, but the best thing we can do for the poor is not to ever be one of them. Watching what God’s word says and implementing it into our lives, recognizing poverty was not a virtue. Poverty is something religion taught through the years to keep people under their control, keep them dependent on the wealthy. Governors and kings of old tribe as well. God never commanded us to be broke. He commanded us to love Him first and then promised us if we did, blessings would be in our house. God wants to prosper you. God wants to bless you. It’s never God’s will for you and I to be poor, to be broke and to be under a curse of poverty.

Jesus came to break the curse. So, be encouraged by that today. 3 John says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health,” 3 John 1:2. It’s God’s will that you prosper. It’s not God’s will that you walk in poverty. God’s word tells us how to prosper in hard times His way. God bless you and thank you for joining for this edition of Strengthen Your Walk™.

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