Q: What is my part in walking out of poverty?

A: My first question to you would be do you have a job? God's plan is for us to work. The bible is loaded with verses about working.. He does not want us to be lazy.

In Proverbs 6: 4 - 11 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler, Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise; Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep; So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

The bible says in II Thess. 3: 10 - 12 ...that if any would not work, neither should he eat.... In I Thess. 4: 11- 12 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do you own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

God planned work from the beginning with Adam. In Gen. 2: 15 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

III John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Although this is God's will for your life - success and health is your choice.

But really the most important step to walking out of poverty is worship. If you really want to prosper in God, and I mean in the nature and grace of God where He will always be there to meet your needs and you will always be there when God moves on you to meet other people's needs, then you must learn how to defeat Satan in the areas where he is most effective, the emotional realms of the soul.

Remember, your soul must prosper. Your soul consists of your mind (thinker), will (chooser) and emotions (feelings). Your ability to change your mind is the cornerstone for making change in your life. So meditate God's Word (mind).

Decide to be a success and make right choices (will). Turn your emotions by living a lifestyle of thanksgiving, praise and worship. When we talk about emotions, I am not just talking about the kinds of emotions that keep a man poor like the ones Jesus warned about when He said to take no thought for your life involving cares, worries, torments, and fears. I am talking about the kinds of emotions that neutralize a man's loyalty even after he has prospered; like greed, lust, selfishness, and self-indulgence.

Make that choice today. I can be a success. I can walk in health. Stir yourself up to get in the Word and to get in prayer. Romans 12:11 tells us to "be fervent in spirit (to be hot; to boil)." Work your faith. Don't sit around and get out of shape spiritually. Forget what is behind. Forget past mistakes and failures. Yesterday is gone. Successful people do daily what unsuccessful people do occasionally.

Your soul has the unique ability to transform you into whatever you subject it to the most. God's will is success and health - but it is your choice.
You won't get there overnight. You didn't get where you are today overnight, so don't expect to get out overnight. But if you do everyday what you know to do, read God's word, pray, and spend time worshipping then you are doing what it takes to walk out of poverty.

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