27/09/2026
SUNDAY SERVICE
DEALING WITH POVERTY
Speaker: Pastor Clinton Tasie
DEFINITION OF POVERTY:
POVERTY IS THE FEAR OF NOT GETTING, WHICH CAN CAUSE YOU TO HOLD BACK WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE.
- Poverty is a curse. It is subtle and has a strong power of deception.
- The fall of man brought two major consequences: (1) sickness and disease, and (2) poverty.
- The destruction of a poor man is his poverty.
- Poverty is a choice you make, not a gift from God.
- Poverty is a curse, not a blessing.
- No matter how evil money is, poverty is not holy.
- Do not associate poverty with holiness. Matthew 25:29
- A wealthy man is liberal.
- Lack of giving can contribute to poverty. Your spirituality is demonstrated by your giving, not just by your prayers.
THINGS POVERTY CAN CAUSE
1. Poverty humiliates a man.
Proverbs 18:23
2. Poverty causes rejection.
It can become a sponsor of rejection.
Proverbs 14:20; Proverbs 19:4
3. A poor man is a conquered man.
He can be conquered physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.
2 Kings 6:24–30
4. Poverty destroys those who accommodate it.
Proverbs 10:15; Ecclesiastes 5:9
5. Poverty despises intelligence.
Ecclesiastes 9:13–16
- Don't love money, but don't lack money.
- The highest form of affliction is poverty.
CAUSES OF POVERTY
1. SIN
A blessing obtained through iniquity is corrupt. God cannot bless you in iniquity.
The foundation of poverty can be traced back to the fall of man through Adam.
2. IGNORANCE
Poverty is often rooted in ignorance.
Isaiah 5:13–14
- True freedom comes when one has knowledge.
- One of the keys to building wealth is financial literacy.
3. DISOBEDIENCE
Obedience-based Christianity produces results.
Proverbs 13:8
4. LOVE FOR PLEASURE
Proverbs 21:17
5. DRUNKENNESS AND GLUTTONY
Proverbs 26:20–21
6. QUEST FOR UNGODLY WEALTH
Proverbs 28:22
7. LAZINESS
This includes mental, spiritual, and physical laziness.
Ecclesiastes 10:18; Proverbs 19:15; Proverbs 24:30–34; Proverbs 6:4–11
8. SCARCITY MENTALITY
2 Corinthians 6:11
9. STINGINESS
Proverbs 11:24
10. DEFRAUDING ONE ANOTHER
Leviticus 19:13
11. OWING VOWS TO GOD
Deuteronomy 23:21
12. LACK OF PAYING TITHES AND OFFERINGS
13. UNFAITHFULNESS
Luke 19:16–26; Luke 15:13
SOLUTIONS TO POVERTY
FOUNDATIONAL SOLUTIONS
1. LOVE FOR THE LORD
1 Kings 3:3
2. RIGHTEOUSNESS, HOLINESS, GODLINESS, AND PURITY
3. KINGDOM ADDICTION
God is interested in those who have a genuine interest in Him and His Kingdom.
4. COVENANT
Wealth in the Kingdom of God is connected to covenant.
Don't love money, but don't make poverty your identity. Pursue God, walk in righteousness and obedience, develop financial wisdom, work diligently, give generously, and remain faithful to God.