My spiritual father preached a message some years ago. Not only did the title get at me, but the revelation was also deeply profound. He preached on “The wealth of poverty and the poverty of wealth.” This truth has blessed me over the years. Let’s consider the wealth of poverty today.
Friend, there is the wealth of poverty and the poverty of wealth (Luke 15:14). God has a purpose for whatever process He allows you to go through (Deuteronomy 8:1-3). But you also need to operate in divine wisdom to turn your disadvantage to advantage. You need wisdom to unlock the wealth of poverty and avoid the poverty of wealth.
The wealth of poverty is not necessarily talking about financial or material poverty (2 Corinthians 6:10). It means that whatever life denies you, God knows how to turn it around for your advantage. If you grow up in an environment where you are deprived of basic things, it does not have to be a curse. It can be a blessing in disguise (Psalms 66:10-12).
Part of the wealth of poverty is the ability to understand process. Most people know success. But not many people understand process, so they cannot repeat, reproduce, and perpetuate success (Judges 11:1-11). When God gives you an opportunity to start life poor, it helps you know how the process of wealth and prosperity works (Joshua 1:8).
Ingratitude and an entitlement mentality are twins that grow out of the poverty of wealth (Psalm 103:1-2). Fortunately, those who know where God took them from are likely to be grateful to God who lifts the heads of men. This is another wealth of poverty. Like David, you can dance naked before He who took you from the backside of the desert to make you king (2 Samuel 6:21).
Necessity is the mother of invention. Some of the most powerful organisations that we have today came out of the wealth of poverty. In trying to solve their poverty problem, a lot of people have ended up becoming creatives and creators (Genesis 26:1-22). Rather than letting poverty push you into crime, let it unlock and unleash your creative power.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria