Overcoming the Spirit of Poverty: The Process

24 Sep Overcoming the Spirit of Poverty: The Process

The process of overcoming poverty starts with prayers. Then we need to have a change of identity, change in our consciousness of who we are; are we blessed or under a curse? Poverty is part of the curse of the law. Change in our expectations and hence change in our lifestyles.

In overcoming the spirit of poverty deliverance is needed: the casting away of the spirit itself, the renunciation of the hold of that spirit on its victim, then the change of thought structures and patterns that the spirit of poverty has developed in its victims, then a change of lifestyle which includes a new vision of oneself, with new expectations and new habits of giving and thinking of being a blessing to others.

For many, poverty was inherited. You know poverty thoughts when you see how the thoughts are centred around being a ‘victim’ of one’s circumstances: how you feel you should be pitied, and how people should feel sorry for you as your circumstances were beyond your control. You could not help yourself. You are poor. All that may seem true before you got born again. After being born again, your status changed. You are now a child of the Most High God. This change of status should affect every area of your life. You are no longer the victim but a victor; greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. The internal change that took place in your spirit should be allowed to affect your mindset and hence your expectations in life!

Jesus not only bore your sin and mine on the cross, He bore our shame, poverty and sickness too! He did all these so we can be righteous, walk in His glory, walk in prosperity and health.

2 Corinthians 8:9

For you are becoming progressively acquainted with and recognizing more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (His kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favor and spiritual blessing), [in] that though He was [so very] rich, yet for your sakes He became [so very] poor, in order that by His poverty you might become enriched (abundantly supplied).

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace (every favour and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the needbe self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].

Galatians 3:13-14

Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified);

To the end that through [their receiving] Christ Jesus, the blessing [promised] to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might [all] receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit.

For abundance to be ours we need to plant the seeds. The first seed is the Word. Then we plant our talent, treasures and time into God’s Kingdom

Mark 10:28-30

Peter started to say to Him, Behold, we have yielded up and abandoned everything [once and for all and joined You as Your disciples, siding with Your party] and accompanied You [walking the same road that You walk].

Jesus said, Truly I tell you, there is no one who has given up and left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for My sake and for the Gospel’s

Who will not receive a hundred times as much now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.

Luke 6:38

Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.

Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it” ) giver [whose heart is in his giving].

The blessings of God makes rich and adds no sorrows. Think and act like the blessed, give and talk like a blessed person, help others, and see yourself as Christ has made you. Plan for greatness not failure, and plan for successful outcomes not otherwise. Overcome the spirits of poverty and help others overcome those spirits too. Think abundance not lack anymore. Think of blessing others not just taking from them. God is your source. The lifestyle of one delivered from poverty includes: giving, joyful expectations, as well as working as unto the Lord in everything we do. It includes exercising your faith in the covenant of provision in God’s word. Speak, think, and expect the Word to be fulfilled in your life.