I realize that this series makes people nervous
I’ve preached ____ messages and need to bring a balanced diet
I realize these are not heaven or hell issues
But, I want to see you prosper in all ways
• You don’t do yourself any favors if you listen to me in a defensive posture
• Believe me when I say I didn’t come to Mount Vernon
• To get rich
I am not trying to get something from you!
• I believe 3 things need to change for you to prosper and have Economic Empowerment
A – Perception (your mind
B– Praise (attitude)
C – Principles
A. Perception – the understanding or mentality
Last week we dealt with
o New wine / old wine skins
If you throw money at a problem it only creates a bigger problem
Money isn’t your problem
o It’s what you think about money
Many Christians have a poverty mindset
This comes from Catholicism and the Dark Ages
That taught everyone to take vows of poverty
So they could be rich
Then during the Great Depression
We preached against (things)
Because we love to spiritualize where we’re at
Cadillac used to be a station wagon
Hymns – “I am Satisfied with Just a Cottage Below”
So some still think that Christians should take a vow of poverty
Well I think sinners should take a vow of poverty!
Jesus wasn’t poor
o How many of you had 3 Magi bringing you Gold when you were born?
o He travelled with 12 guys
Doctors
Business owners
Tax collector
A treasurer
Taking a vow of poverty only elevates you from any responsibility to helping anyone, etc.
(good Samaritan)
I want you to change your mind because…
What changes in the mind
Will change in time
You are kings (next week)
I know this series isn’t for everyone because not everyone wants to be blessed.
Mindsets that say poverty is more godly or wealth is more godly
o Remember, money isn’t good or bad
In this section of changing your thinking/perception
I want to primarily deal with a poverty mindset
Because though many live in a good house
Drive a decent car
Never miss a meal
And pay our bills on time
• Still live with a poverty mindset
Book / Study
“The Framework for Understanding Poverty”
By Dr. Ruby Pain
Lists some mindsets – or characteristics of a poverty lifestyle
1. Background Noise
• T.V. or radio – always on
• More than one person talking at a time
EXAMPLE: Thanksgiving at Patti’s
2. Significance of Entertainment
• Helps them escape from situations
• Entertainment is valued more than education
3. The Need of People
• One only has people to depend on to help them through
• Poor communities are sometimes closer
4. Matriarchal Structure
• Mother is the most dominant and seen position in the home
5. Survival Orientation
• Discussions of just getting by
• Discussions about academics and education is not a priority
• Your job is not a career
• Just a place to get a paycheck
6. The Identity of a Man
• Tied to a fighter and lover role
• Works hard physically
• Solves problems with fighting
o Coal Miners
o Bar room brawls
• Deals with things personally
7. The Identity of the Woman
• Is a martyr
• Always rescuing family
8. Ownership of People
• Don’t forget where you came from
9. Negative Story Telling
• Everything bad is made fun of
• Belittling – everything bad is funny
10. Discipline
• Punishment is about penance and forgiveness
• But not change
• Discipline is about making them feel bad – but not correction
11. Belief in Fate
• Luck – chance – lottery
• Never see millionaires in the lottery line
• Choice is seldom considered
• It’s just the way things are
12. Polarized Thinking
• I quit
• 1 way – My way – extremes
• Never options – how can we make it work
13. The Mating Dance
• Using the body in a sexual way
• If you have few financial resources – or education
• The way you attract someone is with your body
14. Time
• Occurs only in the present
• Never considering the future
• It’s all about now
15. Sense of Humor
• Always about people / pranks
16. Lack of Order and Organization
• Files – planners don’t exist
• Cluttered houses
• Lives in the moment
17. Not Emotionally Reserved When Angry
• You can’t tell people off
• You can’t quit your job when you get mad
• This makes your kids see organizations as basically dishonest
4 Reasons Why People Move Out of Poverty
You could have a lot of money but be in a poverty mindset.
1. Too Painful to Stay
You will never move from level to level in any arena of life
If you don’t become painfully dissatisfied with the level you’re at!
2. Because of a Relationship
A teacher
A preacher
A friend
A mentor
o That causes them to do different
3. A Vision or a Goal
Sees the other side
My mom always said you can have that
4. Special Talent or a Skill
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO PROSPER?
1 Timothy 6:3-10 Read
B. Praise
People in those days…
Thought being more spiritual was proved by material wealth
It’s not wrong to want money or have things
But we must understand that gain is not godliness
You’re not more spiritual because you have stuff
I want you to prosper
But I want you to prosper correctly
You’re not better or worse because you have or don’t have
Thinking that having prosperity will solve problems is wrong
You must have prosperity with a purpose
EXAMPLE: Pet Psychiatrist
If you are going to change where you are
You have to thank Him for what you have
Because someone doesn’t have what you have
It is wrong – and an insult to God to always be complaining
If you got up this morning out of a bed with a roof over your head and food in the cupboard
You got up under your own power
You should praise Him
I will bless the load at all times
The Gospel is not a message of victimized conquered people
It’s a Gospel of victorious over-comers
God didn’t save you to be a Gospel
o Get over
o Grump
• I – Own It
o Will – Determine It
I will – the devil can’t stop your I Will
You don’t have the right to put God’s name on your life
Saved – Given life
And always be complaining
It you want to complain & be negative all the time
• Serve the devil
o Because the way of the transgressor is hard
• When you put God’s name on your life
o You owe it to Him to praise Him & represent Him
Who has called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light
• God is taking good care of me
• Something changes in your life
o When you live with His praise continually on your lips
C. Principles
Principles = a rule of action
A general truth from which others are derived
If you make money the wrong way it doesn’t come with a blessing
God doesn’t have to rip someone else off to bless you
EXAMPLE: P.N.
Pastor who beat people up to get offering
Three Principles
1. God is My Source
If you don’t remember this you will worry about the economy
Democrats / Republicans – Gross National Product
Economy comes and goes
But God is the same
o Yesterday – Today – Forever
God’s economy …
…is not based on our economy
EXAMPLE: Buying my wife a dress on her 1st mother’s day put me in a cash crunch
Give to missionary
9 dresses returned
God may use
o People
o Business
o Ravens
But God is your source
2. I Have to Give if it’s Going to be Given Back to Me
I can’t get a return on nothing
Farmers plant seed knowing that they will get a return
They don’t do it for fun
A seed won’t produce until it is given into the ground
EXAMPLE: the year I lived on a farm, the whole garden I could hold in little packets of seeds
Once I planted it took buckets & wheel barrels full to receive
EXAMPLE: $1,000 gift to Tommy Burnett for a bus
I was praying for the people that were giving
The Lord told me to give
But I had some needs
I said Lord
Tommy should give to me
The Lord showed me it’s not Tommy’s need I am trying to meet
It’s your need
3. Expect a Miracle
I used to not believe this way
But I pay tithe
I give seed
o And believe for a return
o Like the farmer
