A man had chains of businesses, including petrol filing stations. He planned that his son would take over his business after his overseas study. But he told him to start as a fuel attendant and then move to other parts of the business to understand how things work. The boy was surprised and disappointed. He fell for the poverty of wealth.
Friend, there is the wealth of poverty, and there is the poverty of wealth. If you don’t know how to handle wealth and life’s advantages, it can make a failure out of you (Proverbs 30:8-9). God always wants to take us through a process before He gives us the privilege of success (Psalm 66:10-12). Be careful that your advantage does not become a disadvantage.
Not many people know how to build something from scratch (Matthew 13:31-32). Some only inherit what has been built. As good as this might seem, it can lead to the poverty of wealth. What you need to handle and sustain wealth is often acquired as you work your way from poverty to wealth. Don’t be a foolish, wealthy man like Nabal (1 Samuel 25:2-3, 25).
Sometimes, if you have not been through what others are going through, you may lack empathy in relating with them (2 Corinthians 4:7-12). This is another poverty of wealth. Some people don’t know what it feels like to not have what to eat. One man of God told his son that while they were growing up, he could not afford a pair of school shoes. The son asked him; “But where was your father?” The son cannot relate.
Show empathy. Put yourself in other people’s shoes (Hebrews 4:15-16). Identify with those who are hurting. Listen to their stories. Don’t look down on them. Don’t assume they are not smart or serious for lacking what you have in abundance (John 3:27, 1 Corinthians 4:7). Don’t fall for the poverty of wealth.
Learn to see God in what you have and who you are so you won’t fall for the poverty of wealth (1 Corinthians 4:7, 15:10). Like the rich man in the book of Luke, wealth can make you forget God as your source, and when you do, you are truly poor (Luke 12:16-21). No matter what you have and who you are, always see God at the centre of it all.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria