Monday, August 8, 2011

How do you define Poverty?

How do you view poverty? Do you feel that it’s something that can’t be avoided because your parents and perhaps their parents grew up poor? Or maybe you read the passage of scripture when Jesus said, “For the poor always ye have with you…” which would seem to suggest and perhaps validate your belief that it’s okay to live in poverty? But, notice what the great master teacher said: The poor will always be with you. Take note that He did not include the disciples, neither himself, in the class with the poor.

In other words, there will always be people that will not accept the fact that they have been created for greatness: That they were never to experience poverty. This is another one of those subtle truths that, if not embraced correctly, will result in a life full of poverty.

Maybe your definition of poverty means being without, or not being able to shop for the up-to-date fashions, the latest pair of Air Jordan’s, jewelry or the latest gadget every week, just to try to impress someone?  Or perhaps your definition means not being able to ride down the infamous street of Detroit (The “Motor City”), Seven Mile, in your custom painted—Candy Apple Red, 1970 Chevy Impala, sitting on 22” Dayton wheels, with 18” woofers in the trunk, or, not being able to duplicate what the Joneses may be doing across the street from you?

The questions above are rhetorical, which are meant to cause you to stop and think. Everyone has his or her own point of view of poverty, and of prosperity for that matter.  However, this different view doesn’t make any one answer right, wrong or indifferent—it’s all based on ones’ own perception and belief system. As he thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). Whatever your definition is becomes only your reality—even if what you believe isn’t accurate at all. Shakespeare said it best: “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

Look at the Bill Gates’, the Tiger Woods’, the Oprah Winfreys’, and the Warren Buffets’ of the world today. These individuals did nothing special to achieve the level of success that has made them world icons. They just tapped into their God-given talent—the thing they showed up in life with—the gift that God placed only inside of them. I’m not suggesting that they had it easy, or that they did not have to work hard. Yes! They did have to work hard to achieve their goals. But, when you are doing something that you love and were created for, it’s work that you really enjoy doing.

You have a gift, too. What is it? What’s unique about you that you have not sought out? What is that one thing that makes only you standout? When you figure it out—let the world know.

That one thing is what your Creator placed inside of you to make a difference in the world: To break the chains of poverty in your Life! You are the only person that possesses it. If you don’t use it, we all suffer a great disservice, caused by your failure—of not stepping into your greatness.

Poverty is neither your Friend…nor a companion! Poverty is what it is: An enemy that keeps you from enjoying the life that God Created for you.

Thanks,

Your Coach

Demetrius









www.dsandridge.com

ds@dsandridge.com