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| Rev Kola Ewuosho |
The above definition is from Wikipedia. It captures the natural expression of the state of poverty. There will be natural reasons for this state of poverty, like any situation in life will be a product of something in the natural. Whenever any uncomfortable state is perpetuated, we can suspect that there are spiritual dimensions that bring about the perpetual states. The spiritual dimensions affect the mindset, the actions and hence the imaginations and expectations of people whose lives experience things that perpetuate the state. These spiritual dimensions can be seen to be brought about by spirit beings who come into perpetuate the states. That is why we can have the spirit of destruction, or the spirit of anger or the spirit of death turned loose in any part of the world. They can be bound by those who know they have authority over them. This is done in prayers or simply declaring by faith what should happen to such spirits. But if the natural things that bring about their operations are not stopped, they are bound to return to enslave the victims who are ignorant of their operations.
Let us lay some scriptural foundation for this study.
Matthew 16:16-20
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.
Jesus says the authority to bind and loose remains in the hands of the called out ones, the church that is built on the foundation of the revelation of who He is, the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mark 16:17-18
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
The believers will have and exercise authority in His name to cast out devils or spirits. They must also be aware that there is a connection between the presence of a spirit and the characteristics of that spirit that permits its operations in a place.
Characteristics of a poverty spirit or those under its influence.
1. Ignorance.
This is a basic characteristic of the spirit of poverty. Ignorance of one thing or the other or of many things can attract and accommodate this spirit. Ignorance of human potential for creativity that can lead to abundance. Ignorance of what to do to bring about provision, the list goes on.
2. Lack of value for what they have.
When people do not value what they have, they tend to yield to poverty. Value for what one has usually leads to proper stewardship of the resources one has and that overcomes the spirit of poverty. People undervalue what they have usually because they are busy comparing what they seem to have with what others have and tend to see themselves as less privileged and hence undervalue both themselves and what they have.
3. Entitlement mentality.
This is when people see themselves as being entitled to being supported by others. It is the responsibility of others to take care of them. This breeds laziness as well as dependence on others for their daily upkeep. The value of hard work is hereby undermined. We were designed by God to work and be responsible for our upkeep. Others are to be blamed for our lack. “Why are they not taking care of us?” God is supposed to be our source and we are to take responsibility for our upkeep.
4. Feeling like whatever we have is ‘Not having enough’.
Lack of value will lead to lack of gratitude to God. So no matter how much we have it seems not to be enough so we get greedy for more than we need and hoard the things and still behave as if we lack these things. When people are rich in a poverty infested area, they tend to grab all they can with a mind that it’s not enough.
5. A survival mentality.
The basic motivation here is a survival mentality. Rather than abundance, you see a survival mindset. This leads to a hassle for more, a selfishness in hoarding and a sense of how will one survive if nothing else comes our way. It boils down to a sense of not having enough to go round so let’s do what we can to survive.
How to break loose from the spirit of poverty.
1. Knowledge.
Knowledge of God’s word, our rights and privileges. Knowledge of what we can do to produce wealth and abundance. Knowledge of our potential to be creative and hence engage our creativity to be more productive. The list goes on.
2. Place a high value on what we have.
Whatever we value appreciates in value. Whatever we do not value depreciates. Our value system should not be determined by our external circumstances but by an inner appreciation for God’s provision in our lives.
3. Having a mind to bless others with what we have.
This is where seed sowing and reaping is obvious. We are on earth to add value, bless and improve the lot of others.
4. Abundance mentality. Feeling like we have more than enough.
This becomes a reality through our relationship with God, the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 8:9
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.
Philippians 4:19
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
The spirit of lack or poverty has no hold on us when we know these things. You realise that this spirit deals first with inner values and circumstances before it is manifested in the natural. A lot of people think they can solve the poverty problem only by meeting external needs. This could help for sometime but lasting help comes when the inner life is affected. When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we should not put on the religious garb but put on the reality of Christ and function the way He wants us to function as we value and steward all He has made available to us. Then we shall see increase in our lives. (I have an article on stewardship that will be put on my website www.kolaewuosho.com). God bless you real good. Go and be a blessing to others.
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