What is Poverty Official definition of Poverty United

What is Poverty ?

Official definition of Poverty : - United States $23, 550 - China $ 744 - India $ 338

Wages Earned : - Illinois $66 per day minimum - China 30% make less than $2 day - India 87% make less than $2 day World Wide : 1. 3 Billion make less than $1. 25 day

The U. S. has 30% of world’s wealth. In spite of our wealth, American are discontented. Our people feel entitled to more.

Discontentment is a multi-BILLION dollar industry in the U. S. Objective of Advertising

II Corinthians 10: 12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.

Contentment : Part of the Christian’s character Part of the Christian’s thinking Part of the Christian’s lifestyle.

I. Be contented with your wages.

Luke 3: 14 Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do? ” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages. ”

Contentment doesn’t come naturally; it’s the nature of man to want more. We must overcome our nature.

I. II. Be contented with your wages. God commands us to be contented.

Hebrews 13 -5 -6 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you, ” 6 so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me? ”

Thus, being discontented is sin Colossians 3: 5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.

Our faith is tested by our attitude toward our circumstances

Romans 8: 28 We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

I. Be contented with your wages. II. God commands us to be contented III. Godliness is only possible when one is contented.

I Tim. 6: 6 -11 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.

Discontentment does not stem from circumstances, but from within the heart.

I. Be contented with your wages. II. God commands us to be contented III. Godliness is only possible when one is contented. IV. Contentment is a learned attitude

Phil. 4: 9 -13 . . . 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity;

Contentment is confidence in God’s control and in His love As opposed to trusting in self or in things.

I. Be contented with your wages. II. God commands to be contented III. Godliness requires contented IV. Contentment is learned V. Having wealth is not a sin, but it’s a temptation and a ministry.

I Timothy 6: 17 -19 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, . . 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

Matthew 6: 19 -21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Ecclesiastes 5: 10, 12 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity. . 12 The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep.

I. Be contented with your wages. II. God commands to be contented. III. Godliness requires contentment. IV. Contentment is learned. V. Having wealth is not a sin. VI. Seven lessons we need to teach our children about things.

Vs. 7 - Things are only temporary Vs. 8 - Seek only necessities - wait for rest Vs. 9 - Don’t desire to be rich Vs. 11 - Flee Materialism Vs. 12 - Cling to eternal life ( Vs. 19 ) Vs. 17 - Pin you hopes on God Vs. 18 - Give until it hurts.

Do you have peace and contentment in your heart ? It’s found only in Christ.