somehow poverty is a blessing---and not the curse that it is.
Thankyou - wealth and poverty in the Christian life is a vexed issue of many opinions.
Much of the poverty is good and holy, I believe, comes from the historic (yet unscriptural) monk communities that separated themselves from others; and took upon themselves vows of poverty and chastity, etc... Hollywood has helped to build up the nobleness of it all.
"Lay up treasure in heaven." and "You cannot serve mammon and God." along with "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." - are fundamentals of approach to serving God. "
First seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you."
First comes salvation through the gospel and baptisms. Then our heart is changes by the Holy Spirit. Our desires and priorities are changed as to the meaning and purpose of our lives.
We use our income and assets for righteous living and to give generously to others in need.
Instead of mindless consumerism and self-indulgence, we hopefully learn over time that "Godliness with contentment is great gain."
The gospel is not about poverty: the inability to be housed, or to feed one's family; or to walk miles because one cannot afford to run a motor vehicle.
There is no testimony to the gospel and the blessings of the Lord in real poverty and begging.
On the other hand, there are no blessings or approval ratings in pursuing wealth as your god. I have heard many christians claim 'look how the Lord has blessed me with this new $70,000 car.' By that standard all unGodly millionaires are the most blessed people on Earth!!
I think pyramid selling through church congregations is a corrupting influence.
For myself, I have periods of good employment and a better income. I can do more charity in these times.
Now I have been unemployed for just over a year on a very low income. But I rejoice in the Lord and get on with the job of witnessing to others. Praying for others. Serving the Lord in my patch of the vineyard. High income or low income does not change my purpose nor my service to God.
The LORD in Isaiah talks about people having holes in their pockets - whereby their money was lost or wasted on unnecessary expenditures. Isaiah goes on to write that the LORD our God will guarantee for the righteous:
shelter -
food -
clothing. That's all. Everything else is a bonus.
The real treasure that is worth more than rubies and emeralds is the truth of the gospel unto eternal life. For that you cannot buy.