At times, circumstances such as illness, war, economic depression or other uncontrollable factors can bring poverty.

But for far too many people, poverty is something they have invited into their lives. “Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction” (Proverbs 13:18). Too much sleep and inaction invites poverty (Proverbs 24:33-34). “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). These words apply to most people.

However the poor are always about, and God expects people to be generous to the needy. It is clear, though, that God does not expect others to feed and care for the one who are able and refuse to help themselves. God’s people are kind and generous, but they are also enjoined to be wise as serpents yet harmless as doves. By helping a lazy person, we only encourage their continued laziness. They have earned poverty, not abundance.