Is Poverty a punishment from God ??

[Padalda]

I don't think poverty is a punishment from God as it depends on himself. A person is only responsible for his poverty. Those who will work, they will earn money can fulfill their demands. Those who will not work , they would lead to poverty.

Poverty is not a punishment from God. It is a result of mans greed and sinfulness, if every person was selfless and truly God (not that i think i am, only Jesus was) then poverty would not exist. If every person on the earth had equal money then there would be enough to go around, that is not to mention all the billions of dollars which could be spent on food, health and education which is instead wasted on war, "beautiful" (extravagant) structures and other worthless things in the face of starving people.

[ranger]

Originally Posted by Gloria

What do you think?.. are we poor because God is punishing us?.. is poverty a punishment from God?

Good question Glo, I've seen many ask this, let me share my views about this here.

Ok, my answer is no. Just think of a world, where there's no war, no poverty, no crimes, nothing. What's the aim of life then? Every life should have a purpose shouldn't it? I believe that life is a test assigned to us by God. Well, richer people are given all the riches to help the poor. Some do complete the test successfully, while some fails pathetically. That's a way to see it. God is love. The words 'punishment' and 'love' are in contrast with each other. So anyway the answer is still NO.

[researchpro]

Well, I don't believe that sins are imposed by God. But, whatever God has made to you either rich or poor, deaf or blind, human or animal or insect, you need to be satisfied and bear it happily. Never complain others with what you are and try to get your position in the society by hard work and creative work in this competitive world.

[thegamevg]

Its easy to talk about such things in hindsight...if something bad happens to you, you can say that God is punishing you..
Pat , I think your view is too idealistic to be imaginable...it would be great if everyone was selfless and a good samaritan and everyone had money to go around. But that would be just a waste of an existence wouldn't it? Would we just sit around waiting to be fed and our needs fulfilled ?

I don't think poverty is a punishment from God because if poverty is a punishment from God then why is God punishing mostly Africans and Indians and leaving the majority of Americans. If poverty is a punishment from God then why do some criminals especially drug dealers live in million dollar houses and ride in expensive cars?

[AltMvz]

This might be the stupidest question i've ever asked!

Is this a religious forum? cozay stands for?

[Kofi]

Originally Posted by AltMvz

This might be the stupidest question i've ever asked!

Is this a religious forum? cozay stands for?

"cozay" is an African word and it means "through their eyes". It is in one of the Central African languages. It sounds like the English word "cozy" but has a different meaning altogether. yes I will say it is a religious forum because it doesn't allow profanity which to me is good because everybody either religious or not can use cozay forum.

[JayHild]

Originally Posted by LydiaB

God is used as a justification for the inequalities that humans heap on each other, but also to control behavior. Poverty is the result of one group of people preventing another group from taking care of their basic needs. If impoverished people can be convinced that God is punishing them for their wicked ways, they are less likely to rise up and demand their fair share.

God doesn't punish through poverty. People justify poverty through God.

Good answer here, LydiaB... I agree with your thoughts and the thread of God's punishment has caused a lot of trouble in the world over the centuries. Someone else said that God is a God of love, and those are my feelings, too.

[Guest]

Yes, Poverty is punishment from God.

I have learned that those who are poor are poor because they have wasted others money in there current life or previous life.

[Khelos]

Originally Posted by Gloria

What do you think?.. are we poor because God is punishing us?.. is poverty a punishment from God?

great question but may be we can leave God out of this because poverty is poverty and God is God and I don't think poverty is a punishment from God. God is love

Originally Posted by Gloria

What do you think?.. are we poor because God is punishing us?.. is poverty a punishment from God? According to the Bible, those who believe in God would never lack but as we all know, this isn't the case in our time. Most Christians are poor especially in Africa. There are great Christians in Africa who believe deeply in God yet live below the poverty line.

Poverty a punishment from God? What do you think?

poverty is made by capitalism... every one want to have a so perfect life but it cant be! there is too many stupid people on earth who only wanna get rich.... there is people who have 1 000 000 000 000$ and some who didn't have any...that's what is all about...money... it as became a priority in life, and that's what have doomed human. Wars are for money and only generate hate...Its too late to change all that. I lost my hope in human....Is that what god want?? it seems that yes because if not, why he let this be?... I just don't think he exist.... And in my heart and my mind I know I'm right... I hope I'm not the only one who realize all of this... Think very hard about whats been said... Try to find a solution. Maybe someday world will be better, but its not about to happened because there are too many stupid people out there.

Is poverty a punishment from God? I will like to answer this question with another question; Was Jesus Rich? The answer is NO. Jesus Christ was born a poor man. He was born in a manger. His father was an ordinary carpenter. Does that mean that God was punishing Jesus? or Does that mean Jesus Christ was punishing himself? NO. If so then poverty is not a punishment from God. Some of us are poor because we are lazy.

[Tamara]

I don't think poverty is a punishment from God. God created us in His own image and He loves and cherishes us to the point where He gave us the gift of free will to make our own personal choices. God has given to man a complete freedom to make decisions that affects him (man). We are poor because we failed to use the gift of free will that God has given to us wisely.

[Ami69]

As the above poster said, we are poor because of our actions and choices in life. Make the right choices at right times and you will never face poverty in your life.

[sphillips]

If more people could understand God as a "concept" and not a "being", I truly believe the world would be a better place!

[VolatileHonor13]

Poverty is not a punishment from "God" or from our Creator.
Poverty is the punishment we pay as society for our ignorance of eachother existance.
Poverty is the punishment we feel by the people we put in charge to live in Castles while we starve.

Just sayin'.

[medieval]

If you are a believer and you trust God with all your heart and soul then poverty maybe a test of faith. On the other hand, if you are an armed robber and you are still poor then poverty maybe punishment from God.

[Buah]

Poverty can be blessing in disguise. It is easier to go to heaven poor than it is to go to heaven rich. Here is a quote from Pope John Paul II "The poor should not be ashamed of their poverty, nor disdain the charity of the rich; for they should have especially in view the Redeemer, who, though He might have been born in riches, made Himself poor in order that He might ennoble poverty and enrich it with incomparable merits for Heaven" from this quote we can see that poor people have "incomparable merits" for heaven. It is easier for a poorman to go to heaven than for a rich man to go to heaven. Poverty is not a punishment from God. Poverty could be a test of faith or blessing in disguise.

Not at all there is no link.
why would one even think that?

Poverty is a mind-set.
The poor economic status of people around the world is a result of bad decisions and poor leadership. Not to mention because the majority of the world has turned their back on God- Satan has had the chance to get in and make peoples lives a living hell.

If we were born in poverty in Africa for example then poverty may be a punishment for a crime you did not commit. However, since we all have the power to change our destinies, poverty is not a punishment no matter the circumstance. Just get up and put yourself to work.

The last shall be first. Familiar with that saying?

[world leader]

poverty is not a punishment from God. stupidity and laziness make people poor. God did not create us to suffer. we suffer because we don't want to use the brain God gave us.

no, i don't think it is. People who live in poverty are living in that way because others have not thought about their actions, poverty is made because of us. We don't think about our money, and it is wasted on other things that are not as important. Governments should think more about how they use their money and not waste it. Give to others and don't expect anything back.