Because of sin, man has been living in a state of poverty. But even in man’s sinfulness, God’s love for man never faltered. He continued to love man because He created man to have a personal and loving relationship with Him (Genesis 3:21).

So before He sent man out of the Garden of Eden, God promised to send a Redeemer that will bring man back to Himself. This promised Redeemer is Jesus and He took man’s poverty (sin) to the cross. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says “That though He (Jesus) was rich, yet for your sake He became poor so that you by His poverty might become rich.” Jesus became man’s deliverance from poverty.

John 1:12 says that “to all received and believed in Jesus He gave the right to become children of God.” So man, upon receiving and believing in Jesus, is once again connected to the Source of blessing. Jesus says in John 10:10 (ESV), “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Through Jesus, man can again experience abundance in all areas of his life that encompasses material resources and money.  He is transferred from the kingdom of the devil into the kingdom of God.

When man was still under Satan’s control, John 8:44 says that his will was to do the devil’s evil desires because of sin. But now that the Holy Spirit lives in his heart, man has been armed with the ability to resist doing sin. Romans 8:5b (NIV) says, “…those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds on what the spirit desires.” What does the Spirit of God desires? It is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Therefore, man is freed from poverty. He is now able to fight against greed, selfishness, lust, self-indulgence, envy and other sins that cause him to be poor relationally, emotionally, physically and financially.

Galatians 5:16 encourages man to walk by the Spirit; to resist gratifying the evil desires of the flesh. As a child of God living in His kingdom, there are principles to be followed. We will call these the Principles for a Successful Christian Life and these include:

• Putting God first and center of your life. Pursue God’s agenda and seek His will. (Matthew 6:33)
• Being faithful and consistent in your giving. (Malachi 3:8-10)
• Praying. (Psalm 34:6; Matthew 7:7-8)
• Obeying God’s commands and claiming the rewards He promised..
• Sowing seeds. (Matthew 7:12)
• Giving your time, talent, and treasures to God willingly, cheerfully, generously and for His glory.
• Being a good steward of God’s blessing. Matthew 25:29
• Rejoicing and be thankful always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 18
• Being diligent. Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 13:4

Jesus is the key to finding breakthrough from poverty. Staying connected to him frees man from a life of poverty.

Applying the principles for a successful Christian life will help a man remain in a life of blessing and abundance in Jesus Christ.