Introduction : Sometimes we meet people who are more spiritual than God. Those people say, "Material things are evil things, having silver and gold is ungodly, and we must live in poverty to become holy." Then, did God who created heaven and earth make a mistake? God said, "The silver is mine and the gold is mine." Is God who has silver and gold not spiritual? (Hag 2:8, Ps 50:10-11) If "holy" means living in poverty, are all citizens of heaven ungodly? There are no poor people in heaven. God is holy, and He has created all materials on earth. God owns the silver and the gold in the universe, and He is holy. He is absolutely wealthy, and He is a holy God. The materials, silver and gold themselves, are not sin or evil things. If you put the materials in first place in your life, that is sin, and if you love those materials more than God, that becomes the root of evil. When you try to take those materials in an improper way, you will fall into a snare of trials, suffering, and temptation. God wants us to live a wealthy and holy life, having silver and gold.


1. The origin of poverty
    1) There was no poverty in the Garden of Eden
        - When Adam lived a God-centered life, he enjoyed living in the Garden that God
           prepared for him
    2) Cursed land
        - Adam was deported from the Garden of Eden and the land was cursed when he
           betrayed God and tried to live his own life (Ge 3:17-19, Jer 17:5)
    3) The start of weary and burdened life
        (1) Enjoyed all things that God prepared for him as a free gift (La 3:33)
        (2) Adam had to work and prepare for his life; he also had to toil and moil and
            poverty followed him (Jer 2:13)

2. Is poverty a blessing or a curse?
    1) A generation that shouldered poverty
        (1) Plundered for 36 years under Japanese imperialism - barely kept alive with the aid
             of herbal roots and tree bark. The life span was less than 40 years
        (2) Poverty and starvation during Korean War, a war widow became a prostitute,
             starved orphan, dead from hunger (2Ch 7:14)
    2) Actualities of poverty (Ps 33:12, Dt 7:9)
        - Starvation of the third world
    3) Poverty is a curse (Dt 28:15-19, Dt 30:19-20, La 3:38, Ex 23:25-26)

3. Poverty is not the original will of God
    1) God wants to bless us (Dt 28:1-6; 2Co 9:8-10; 3Jn 1:2)
    2) Jesus was poor
        (1) Jesus´ life itself was poor (Mt 8:20, Lk 4:18)
        (2) A life that redeemed poverty (2Co 8:9; Gal 3:13-14, 1 Co 2:9)

4. Is it possible to be spiritual and rich at the same time?
    1) Adjust the order of life (Mt 6:33, 1 Ki 3:13)
    2) Accept God as your master - Who is your master?
        (Dt 10:17, Mt 6:24, Ro 12:1, Gal 2:20)
    3) Be the right steward (Mal 3:8-10)
    4) The law of planting and harvesting (2Co 9:8-9, Pr 3:9-10, Pr 28:20, Mt 25:21)
    5) Don´t be attached to materials (Lk 6:38, Mt 25:29, Pr 30:7-8, Php 4:12-13)


Conclusion : Earning money with God´s help is never ungodly. You will see a beautiful and righteous accomplishment when you use your materials for the glory of God by following His will. Poverty itself is an absolute curse. However, it is so beautiful to have the kind of faith that is victorious and will serve God and never despair in spite of poverty.