July 8th The Onset Of Poverty II
Bible Reading: Prov. 13:11; Lk. 15:13-15
2 Thess. 3:10 ‘for even when we were with you, we commanded you this: if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat’
God’s covenant stipulates that if you do not work you are not permitted to prosper. The psalmist said ‘and whatsoever he does shall prosper’ Ps. 1:3. You have to be doing something for God to prosper you; labour produces wealth.
Idle, slack-handed, laid back or casual people who live an unplanned life will ultimately be overtaken by poverty and lack. ‘He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich’ Prov. 10:4
Also, God dislikes waste. The prodigal son wasted his livelihood and began to be in want. Waste is spending unnecessarily or without a plan. The cure for unbridled waste, uncharted commitments and impulsive spending is having a plan and creating a budget. It is the wisdom of God for times of plenty and seasons of challenge.
Prayer:
iii. Pray that God’s love will blaze anew in people’s hearts in the Body of Christ and your local church 1 Thess. 3:12
iv. Ask that God stretches out His hand to save, heal, deliver and work miracles in the midst of His people Acts 4:29-30
Thought for the day:
Poverty can’t be stopped until wastage is curbed