Today I am posting an article that I published a couple of years ago about poverty. Just like then, I am sure today there will be people who will not agree with what I have to say. So, see what you think.
I believe what I wrote two years ago is still true, even during these very uncertain economic times we are living in.
Poverty
The cause of poverty is not a lack of money. Does that statement shock you? It’s true. A lack of money may be an effect of poverty, but it is not the cause of poverty.
The cause of poverty is poverty thinking. Poverty comes from poverty beliefs and poverty attitudes; it comes from a poverty mindset.
Not having Money Is Not Poverty
Here’s another statement that might shake you. Not having money does not mean you’re impoverished. Let me explain. Suppose your checkbook gets all the way to zero. You are flat broke now. But, being flat broke now does not mean that you will be flat broke permanently. It absolutely does not guarantee that you will forever stay flat broke.
There are countless millionaires who at one time or another were flat broke. Why didn’t they stay flat broke? Some have even confessed going broke a number of times. A lack of money is not the issue. What’s in your mind is the issue.
Why Are People In Poverty?
Have you ever asked someone who is indeed in poverty why they are in that state? They will tell you exactly why. They will give you one poverty-minded statement after another. They will point out every lack that they have.
They come from a poor family. They lack education. Good jobs are hard to come by these days. The price of everything today is too high. They never get a decent break like a lot of other people do. The government doesn’t really care about them enough.
They have ingrained these thoughts into their minds and hearts. They have allowed that kind of thinking to actually take root in their heart, and become their belief system.
Is There A Choice?
What we choose to believe is what we will manifest in our lives. This universal law works with accuracy and precision no matter who the person is and no matter what the circumstances are.
I have visited a number of foreign countries. It is just amazing to me how anyone in the United States can stay in poverty. There is so much wealth, abundance and opportunity in the United States that it staggers the mind.
Now just above the poverty line there are those who are just struggling to get by. Many are working very hard to make ends meet each month. Some work two and three jobs. They are labeled as the “lower middle class.”
They may put forth a great effort, but they still seem to get nowhere except just above the poverty line. They will stay there because that’s what they choose to believe.
Life Is Not Luck Or Fate
So, is that their fate? Nothing could be farther from the truth. Are we to believe that some people are just blessed with a better life than others? Does the God show more favor on some but less on others? No!
Once you identify and accept that you are in a certain category in life and you really believe that in your heart, that is where you will stay. It really makes no difference where you are today. Whether you qualify as in poverty, just above poverty, lower middle class or middle class, none of those descriptions really mean anything unless you continue to accept them as true for your life.
The point is, where you are today is a result of your own belief system. Wherever you are today in life is a direct result of what you have decided to believe.
You Can Change Your Life
If you can accept that truth, you can change your circumstances because you recognize what very few ever recognize. The power to change your life is in your brain. The thoughts that you consistently entertain will form your own personal belief system.
Change your life and your circumstances by first changing your thoughts, hour by hour and day by day. Fill your mind with thoughts of where you want to go, not where you are today.
You may not be in poverty, but, are you where you really desire to be in your life? If not, why not? Do you need to change your thoughts to form a new belief system?
Get honest with yourself and really examine your thoughts. A good indication of your thoughts is what comes out of your mouth.
You can change your life and your circumstance by changing your belief system. And you can change your belief system by changing your thinking, one thought at a time.
Michael A. Verdicchio
2008
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Mike I’m so thrilled and thankful to our Father for the opportunity of finding you, because this is life changing information you are feeding me. Yes these are the basics, the foundation, but without a solid foundation what can you build the house on? The first storm that comes, it will fall right over.Thanks for explaining to me about how my thoughts will make my beliefs. This is just what i needed to hear to get my butt in gear, and guard my heart with God’s Word. I thank my God for your life. Love you! E.
E, thanks for finding the site and thanks for the kind words. Isn’t great that our thoughts are in our control!
God bless you.
There is only one reason for poverty. Greed, acquiring more than we need. It is a grave sin. Yes jesus said the poor will always be with us , he said this because he understood that greed will always be with us.
Thanks for leaving a comment, Lovebroker, although I am not sure what you are saying. Do you mean people are in poverty because they are greedy? Or do you mean people are in poverty because other people are greedy> In either case, I would have to disagree.
I firmly believe all your head to say . The only question I have is how to get rid of all the negative information stored in my brain and what do I have to do in order to change my way of thinking into positive and prosperous . Excellent article Good bles
Kiro, so glad you liked the article and it made sense.
I have a number of articles on this site that can help in changing your mind; two recent ones were, “The Garden of Your Mind,” and, “To Believe Or To Not Believe.” Those will give you some really good insight.
I agree that lack of self-motivation and a “poverty” mindset is a contributing factor to destitution. It is difficult for someone to achieve something when she doesn’t see herself as worthy.
I believe another important factor is lack of education. A person who is poorly educated (in elementary, junior high and high school) has difficulty obtaining a higher degree and ultimately a high-paying job.
Moreover, even people who earn higher degrees, can have trouble managing their money and live hand to mouth. I know many people who make 80k to 6-figure salaries and barely save anything (nothing other than what is automatically put in their retirement accounts). This is why charitable donation is so important, it helps keep everyone focused on what’s important!
Good point, Skye – education is important and we all need to continue to learn and grow and develop skills and abilities in our changing world.
People’s incomes are mostly based off of their education levels. People’s education levels are mostly based off of their parents income levels. So how do we increase the poor’s education, I ask myself daily. The truth is, in my own personal experience, that the uneducated find knowledge to be offensive. They then get defensive and uncomfortable. So, it seems like PRIDE is also a determining factor. The prideful are unteachable until they lose their pride.
Michael, thanks for leaving a comment.
You’re so right about educating people – I recently told a young couple (concerning finances) that I so wish someone would have told me about these matters long, long ago!
God bless you,