Introduction
You cannot overcome poverty by binding it or losing riches.
Poverty is a state of life that happens to people because of a lack of basic necessities. As noted by Pastor Mensa Otabil in his sermon on ‘Wealth & Poverty’ at Calvary Charismatic Church (CCC), poverty exists in degrees. What I lack may not necessarily be what you lack.
Fortunately for us, any student of the Bible is blessed to receive the words of Solomon, who taught us how to overcome poverty and be prosperous.
In Proverbs 6:6-11 (NKJV), the preacher says:
"Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep— So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man."
Who is the message for?
The message by the writer is for the sluggard, slumberer, and sleeper—those whose attitudes lead to poverty.
3 Ways to Beat Poverty:
1. Success Is Learnable
"Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise…"
The first thing the writer teaches us is that success is learnable, just as failure is. It instructs the sluggard to learn from the wise ants and become wise.
If there is anything we are not doing well, we can find a successful person in that area and embrace their patterns and principles. Similarly, we can learn from the practices of those who have failed and avoid them. The first way to beat poverty is to understand that success is learnable.
2. Successful People Do Not Focus on Their Challenges
"Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler"
The second important tip to beat poverty and lack in our lives is not to focus on our shortcomings. The writer says that the ants lack overseers, but this does not limit their achievements. They do not let this define them.
We must not let what we don’t have limit what we can do. We must focus on what we have and use it for our benefit. Everyone has weaknesses, but we must focus on our strengths and use them to maximise our potential in life.
3. Successful People Discern Times and Seasons
"Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest."
The third and final way to overcome poverty and lack is to meaningfully use times and seasons. Successful people know when to provide their supplies in the summer and gather their food in the harvest. They know when to do what is profitable.
Success in life is not automatic. It requires being like the children of Issachar in the Bible, who knew their time and what Israel ought to do. Strategic thinking involves identifying what ought to be done at the appropriate time and doing it to achieve desirable results. Time is infinitely valuable and provided by God.
Conclusion
It takes tact and discipline to succeed in life. It takes wisdom to make choices that will positively impact our lives. We must learn from the ants to be wise in our ways so that we can beat poverty and become prosperous, with the aim of fulfilling our destiny and impacting other people.
What have you learned from this write-up? Share with us.
Eric Otchere writes daily with the primary intention of inspiring hope in the lives of people. Connect with him via otchereeric@gmail.com.
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