Poverty Rated

(Proverbs 24:34 KJV)  So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

“Poverty” (7369) is a bad thing.  You would think that is obvious but consider such movements like the Franciscans who take an oath of poverty.  There is a way of thinking that glorifies poverty as a cleansing of material things.  Material possessions are considered bad and the only way to be spiritual is to get rid of them. 

That is not a Biblical standard for life.  In the Bible material things are good to have.  The problem is when we make them our gods and seek them instead of the Living One.  It is not God’s will that everyone live in poverty.  There may be unique cases when it is necessary but it is not the general pattern of righteousness.

So?  Don’t feel superior if you are poor.  At the same time don’t feel like you have less value in the eyes of God.  While it is good to have your bills up to date and food in the pantry, God looks at the heart, not the bank balance.