"God kept me poor to keep me humble and dependent on Him."
How it sounds in your head: Maybe this poverty was His will all along. Maybe He knew I'd get prideful if I had money. Maybe this lack kept me close to Him and prosperity would have ruined my faith.
"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."
-- 3 John 1:2Religious poverty gospel that makes God the author of lack and confuses dependence with deprivation.
Churches taught her that suffering sanctifies and money corrupts. Her faithful poverty feels spiritually superior to others' prosperity.
Abraham was 'very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold' and God called him righteous, blessed him, made covenant with him. His wealth didn't separate him from God—it was part of the BARAK blessing.
I REFUSE the lie that God wanted me poor. IT IS WRITTEN that the beloved prayer is that I PROSPER in all things—poverty was never His will. The BARAK blessing includes storehouses FULL, not empty. IT IS WRITTEN that Jesus came to give ABUNDANT life—the thief brought lack. Abraham was extremely rich AND righteous. Job was wealthiest in the east AND blameless. Solomon's wisdom came WITH wealth. God doesn't need to starve me to keep me—He's a good Father who gives good gifts. I am the righteousness of God IN CHRIST and blessed with Abraham's blessing.
Your Father never withheld provision to keep you close—He's the one who clothes the lilies and feeds the sparrows. He wanted to prosper you while you depended on Him, not impoverish you to force dependence.