Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5447 poverty, causes of

5447 poverty, causes of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5446 poverty » 5447 poverty, causes of

To want for the necessities of life is ultimately the result of human sin.

Poverty arises from human sin

Genesis 3:17-19 Compare this with the description of Eden in Ge 2:9-14.

Causes of poverty

Divine retribution brings poverty

Deuteronomy 28:47-48 See also Proverbs 22:16; Isaiah 3:1; Amos 4:6; Amos 5:11

Idleness brings poverty

Proverbs 6:10-11 See also Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 14:23; Proverbs 20:13; Proverbs 24:33-34

Dissolute living brings poverty

Proverbs 21:17 See also Proverbs 6:26; Proverbs 28:19; Luke 15:14

Lack of discipline brings poverty

Proverbs 13:18; Proverbs 21:5

Rash promises bring poverty

Proverbs 22:26-27

Debt brings poverty

Matthew 18:23-25

Neglect of God's law of giving brings poverty

Proverbs 11:24; Proverbs 28:22; Acts 20:35

Neglect of God's work brings poverty

Haggai 1:9

Oppression brings poverty

Judges 6:6; Job 20:19; Proverbs 13:23; Isaiah 1:7; James 5:4

Famine brings poverty

Genesis 45:11; Genesis 47:20-21

Misfortune brings poverty

Job 1:13-21 These trials were inflicted by Satan but allowed by God as a test of Job's faith.

Poverty affects good as well as evil people

The righteous often escape poverty

Deuteronomy 8:7-9; Psalm 34:9-10; Psalm 37:25

Many of the godly have been poor

2 Kings 4:1; Luke 16:20; Romans 15:26

Jesus Christ was poor

Matthew 8:20

Results of poverty

Poverty results in ruin

Proverbs 10:15

Poverty results in shame

See also Proverbs 13:18; Luke 16:3

Poverty results in misery

Proverbs 31:7

Poverty results in crime

Proverbs 6:30; Proverbs 30:8-9

Poverty need not lead to ungodliness

Psalm 119:71; Mark 12:44 pp Luke 21:4; 2 Corinthians 8:2; James 2:5; Revelation 2:9

Voluntary poverty

Jesus Christ's example of voluntary poverty

2 Corinthians 8:9

Voluntary poverty commanded of some

Matthew 19:21-22 Jesus Christ did not say this to everyone.

Voluntary poverty experienced by others

See also Hebrews 10:34

Love essential in voluntary poverty

1 Corinthians 13:3; 2 Corinthians 6:10