Discussion Questions
The Bible says, Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. (Matthew 8:20). Jesus was poor, so isn't it reasonable for Christians to be poor?
Is there a relationship between poverty and wealth and being spiritual? What should our attitude be when serving the poor and the rich?
Will spiritual people be poor? How do people become poor?
Some people come to church to engage in pyramid schemes, sell insurance, and make money. Is this pleasing to God? Why?
What kind of people does God dislike? What kind of people does God love? What kind of person do you choose to be?
Poverty is Not a Good Thing
Hello everyone! We are studying Proverbs chapter 22, which is written so well! When I read the Bible, I especially like these words: then riches and honor and life will be your reward. I think that's certainly good! I tell you, poverty is not a good thing. I haven't seen poverty as a good thing in the Bible. If you can't eat enough, drink enough, or wear enough, it's really upsetting! In the Bible, I only see:
Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4)
These words in Proverbs are so well said! If you are a smart person, how can you be short of money? I think this chapter's theme is about wealth and poverty, but if you add Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life, then it becomes even more important. Many people ask if Chinese Mingding Destiny is a prosperity gospel. I think, is a failure gospel better? Do you want to believe in a gospel of disease? I have never seen in the Bible that humility and the fear of the Lord result in disease, poverty, lowliness, and loss of life. Where is there such a thing? Isn't that nonsense?
So among us, have you noticed that we don't have to work hard to evangelize. I really don't want you to be poor or have diseases, and I really don't want you to bring people to church all day long. Why? What's the point of bringing people here? I hope people are willing to come on their own. If people are not willing to come and you force them to come, isn't that proselytizing? We don't do that. It's not a question of joining or not joining a religion; it's a path of life.
Do you want to be rich? Yes! Do you want to be honored? Yes! Do you want to have life? Yes! You must know that this is a path of life. Think about it, a penniless person goes out to evangelize, and others will say, I think you need the gospel more than I do. Is that the gospel you're preaching? In Genesis, Jacob came to his uncle Laban's house with only a staff and no money, and twenty years later he became extremely wealthy.
I really didn't read that Jacob came to his uncle Laban's house with herds of cattle, sheep, servants, etc., and ended up returning with only a staff. I also didn't read that Abraham, after going from Haran to Canaan, ended up with not even a pair of pants left, only able to wear shorts. Where is there such a thing? I think this world is very interesting. Is it wrong to talk about success? I want to ask them: Is a failure gospel good? Which one do you like? Everyone likes success, right? In fact, Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life, there is nothing wrong with these words. Someone said he finally found a verse in the Bible that said poverty is better:
Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. (Matthew 8:20)
Although Jesus said this, there is also a verse in the Bible:
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
The Lord Jesus was nailed to the cross for us, so that we may be healed by His stripes, become rich through His poverty, and be redeemed through His precious blood. This is the key.
The Love of Money is the Beginning of Tragedy
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 22:1)
If people love money, it's useless to kiss money every day. Observe carefully, it's not those who love money who have money, but those who love God who will have money. Of course, poverty and wealth are not very related to spirituality, but a spiritual, God-pleasing person will definitely not be poor, that's the key. What do we have in our minds? Money or God's favor? Do we value money or reputation? If you observe carefully, you will see that the tragedies in the world all start with money; the beautiful things in the world all start with people caring about their reputation and God's favor.
If you ask me what I care about the most? I will tell you: I can have nothing, but I cannot lose God's favor, nor can I lose my reputation. If people say, That pastor loves money so much that he's blinded by it, be careful of him. Then my reputation is ruined. I often encourage everyone to do practical things, and some people want to partner with me to do business, but I tell you, I will never partner with you because I am a priest of the Lord God, and I care about my reputation very much.
I said, I won't do it, but I can help you for free. Some people even falsely accused me of doing business with him before, but I really didn't. I have never liked partnering with others since I was a child, and I don't want to do it, because I don't want to lose God's favor and my reputation. My reputation is very valuable and cannot be contaminated. I care about this very much! Someone said, Can you help me with this? I said, I can help you, but you can't afford me.
So once a person is blinded by money, money becomes his core interest. Everyone should be careful, such a person is very dangerous. When you make friends, you must examine your friends' attitude towards money. If his attitude towards money is greater than his love for his own reputation, if he loves money more than he loves God's favor, if he loves great wealth more than a good name, then you must be careful. You may be deceived by him if you are not careful, because those who deceive others deceive those they know.
Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all. (Proverbs 22:2)
Whether rich or poor, God will test them to see if, after becoming rich, they value a good name more than great riches, and favor more than silver or gold. This temptation is like a sieve that sifts some people into the group that receives riches, honor, and life as a reward. Another sieve sifts other people into poverty, lowliness, and corruption. People can love money when they have it, and they can love money when they don't have it; people can love God when they have money, and they can love God when they don't have money. The key is what is in people's hearts, and people's attitude towards money is critical.
A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. (Proverbs 22:3)
The Bible records a prophet named Elisha. General Naaman came to Elisha, and Elisha healed his leprosy. Naaman wanted to give Elisha money, but Elisha refused because he felt that if he took the money, the leprosy might come upon him. As a result, one of Elisha's disciples loved money very much. After Naaman left, he chased after him and took the gifts and money that Naaman originally wanted to give to Elisha into his own hands, and as a result, he got leprosy.
So brothers and sisters, we must know that a person's good name is very important. Naaman absolutely despises such people. People need to know how to be a prudent person. If a person becomes poor as they live, it is like what this scripture says:
The path of the perverse is full of thorns and pitfalls, but those who would safeguard their life stay far from it. (Proverbs 22:5)
Be a Diligent and Prudent Person
How can a person safeguard their life? They need to be prudent in their minds and not always be blinded by money. If people are always blinded by money, it is very dangerous. I did a survey and saw that people who love money are miserable their whole lives. How do people become poor? If a person is perverse, stingy, likes to get angry for no reason, likes to argue, and is envious, jealous, and hateful, no amount of money can withstand the snares that are set up. They lose a little at one moment and a little at another.
Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken. (Proverbs 22:8)
Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all. (Proverbs 22:2)
If a person loves money, he will do anything for money and sow injustice. Then some people become arrogant after having money, and as a result, they quickly become poor. Some people are rich and spiritual, and they know God; while others are rich but not spiritual and do not know God. Some rich people know God and love God, while others neither know God nor love God; some poor people love God, and some poor people do not love God. But if you fear the Lord, that's amazing! You will find that some rich people are also arrogant, and they become poor as they go along.
The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the Lord’s wrath will fall into it. Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty. (Proverbs 22:14-16)
Do not exploit the poor because they are poor, and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them. (Proverbs 22:22-23)
People love money very much after they have a little money. If you oppress the poor at the city gate, God will deal with you, and you will become poor as you live.
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. (Proverbs 22:24-25)
Such a person forfeits wealth, honour, and life.
Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are surety for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee? Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. (Proverbs 22:26-28)
Do not stand surety for debts; it is a bottomless pit. Many things you think are to your advantage, but in reality, you are losing out. Why? Because God is in charge in this world. Sort things out, lest when you are poor, you are unable to turn things around.
Understanding What Kind of Person God Favours
The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. (Proverbs 22:13)
You must know that God detests lazy people. By all means, do not be lazy, as laziness leads to poverty. Those brothers and sisters among us who lack financially and are not blessed must constantly adjust. I have a wish in my heart that brothers and sisters can understand what kind of person God favours. What kind of person God favours, we become that kind of person; what kind of person God detests, we do not become that kind of person. Start learning to fear the Lord!
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. (Proverbs 22:7)
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)
He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor. (Proverbs 22:11-12)
A wise man will certainly not be poor! Rich and poor, wisdom and deceit – observe carefully, and you will surely find some patterns.
That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee? (Proverbs 22:19-21)
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. (Proverbs 22:29)
Serving God must be done with diligence! I am very diligent in my work. If you do not know me well, observe slowly, because I serve people as if serving God. I may not be able to serve everyone, but everything I do, I do it diligently.
The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all. (Proverbs 22:2)
Whether you are rich or poor, a test will reveal whether you fear the Lord and are humble in heart. Because fearing the Lord and being humble in heart will surely attain wealth, honour, and life as rewards.
By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life. (Proverbs 22:4)
I hope that our brothers and sisters can open their spiritual eyes and know whether our conduct is in accordance with God's will. Is our conduct with knowledge and strategy, or is it foolish and ignorant? Sometimes, we think we are gaining an advantage, but we are incurring God's wrath. Brothers and sisters, gradually understand, do not only see opportunities to make money, do not blindly do things! Do you see opportunities to serve? Some things you must slowly learn from me. Many things I stay far away from, because getting close will bring loss to ourselves.
Do not think that everything is a good opportunity to do business and make money, that is not necessarily true. If the person who introduces you to the business is cursed, and deeply cursed, you must be extra careful. Many people come to church to find opportunities to make money, especially those who do MLM or sell insurance. As soon as they meet anyone, they are sure to talk about their MLM or insurance. That is why I especially dislike such people. Today, coming to church, do you see opportunities to serve? Whom have you served, what have you done for whom? You must fear God!
What I just said, if there are any similarities, it is purely coincidental. I am not referring to any one person in particular, but I have seen it many times and felt distressed. I asked him to shepherd another person, and gradually it turned into selling his own products. Everyone take note, if in our church, your pastor sells a product to you, that is not arranged by me and has nothing to do with me. You had better stay far away, and at the same time you can tell me so that I can kick him out.
Because we are asking him to serve people, not to sell things to people. He was supposed to pray for people, but gradually he neglected the main task and started doing business. Either helping people sell things or selling things to people. If everyone does this, is it still a church? There are many people buying and selling things in the church because the church is a community, and it is convenient to do business. Do not be surprised, what is said here may be about you.
The only opportunity that can be found here is to fear the Lord and be humble in heart, and you will get wealth, honour, and life as a reward! God's house is not a place for doing business! One day, if everyone finds that I am also deceived and want to make money from you, want to sell things to you, then I must be possessed by a demon. I never talk about money when I help people, I do not charge money. Our healing and deliverance here does not cost money! If you hear this recording of me on the Internet, whether it is YouTube or our website, know that no one among us does business.
The church is not a place for doing business, but a place for distributing blessings! If you are someone who has been served and are willing to follow us on this path of fearing the Lord and being humble in heart, we will walk with you. If you are not willing to walk together and want to leave, you can, I will never morally kidnap you. If one day you hear someone say that he used to do business with me, that is definitely nonsense and a lie. I am telling you here, someone once told me that he wanted to partner with me to do business, I said you do yours, I will definitely help you for free, and truly help you. Because I do not want anything else, I just want to bless you.
Some people doubt how it is possible for someone in this world to be so kind? Because my favour comes from God, I consider a good name better than great wealth. Brothers and sisters, think carefully, are you willing to follow a pastor who loves money? That is very scary, no one knows what gospel he is preaching. Everyone must remember, do not love money! Actually, coming here, whether you are rich or poor, I serve you, and absolutely serve you the same way, without any distinction. I am not after the money in your hands at all, because I know very clearly what kind of person God likes and what kind of person He hates.
I give everyone a reminder, once one day I talk to you about money, you will know that either I am possessed by a demon, or I am deceived by a demon, or I have changed, you do not need to associate with me. But today, while I am still clear, I want to tell you: my life is based on serving God, distributing God's blessings, and being a priest of the living God, which is a good name is better than great wealth. I ask you, will a person with a good name be poor? Absolutely not! Because my God is a God who makes people rich, my reward comes from God, and God gives me many opportunities.
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)
He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. (Proverbs 22:11)
My opportunities, good name, and favour are all with God. God will surely be gracious to me because I give out so much. I once saw someone whose phone was so broken that it could not be used, so I gave him my phone, and then I spent money to buy one for myself. Many of our pastors also imitate me in this way, and they like to give things to people. Why? Because what they get is a good name. If people take advantage, let them take advantage.
Some people have terrible demons on them. We serve them day and night, regardless of the time, and after they get better, they forget and then leave. Not only do they leave, but they also talk nonsense outside. Everyone, do not believe them. Actually, I have not taken any advantage of them at all. If you do not believe what I am saying, you can slowly investigate. If a person loves money, you must be careful about what he says, understand? Remember, poverty is definitely not God's will, but wealth cannot prove that he is a God-loving person.
Conclusion
Brothers and sisters, have a true understanding of poverty and wealth, and know that our God is definitely a wealthy God. Why do some people become poor? Actually, poverty and wealth prove nothing. We do not want to judge people through these things. We just want to strive to love God, fear Him, and walk in His ways. If it is a child, walk in God's ways from childhood, and do not deviate from it until old age, and you will get wealth, honour, and life as a reward. It is very difficult for a perverse person; his life is ruined, so be very careful. Think about it, if a person oppresses the poor for his own benefit, how can he not be poor in the future? Do everyone understand?
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all. (Proverbs 22:1-2)
By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life. (Proverbs 22:4)
May God bless everyone!