17 Signs of the Poverty Spirit

signs of a poverty spirit

A poverty spirit is a victim mindset that presumes scarcity. It’s a powerless viewpoint that believes: 

  • Money, promotion, and wealth is limited.
  • Opportunities are hard to come by.
  • Rich people are greedy.
  • You’ll never be financially free.

The poverty spirit affects the rich and the poor. It focuses on what you don’t have. 

When a victim mindset like this gains influence in your life, it forces you to act in unhealthy ways.

This is why Financial Healing is so crucial. 

You can work with the Holy Spirit to identify and remove the destructive behaviors.

To aid your journey toward prosperous living, here’s a list of 17 signs of the poverty spirit. 

Familiarize yourself with these habits, so you can reject them from your life:

  • Resentful when others succeed – A poverty spirit makes you feel jealous of others’ success, even in areas you’re not pursuing.

     

  • Quitting in the face of trials – Those influenced by a poverty mindset believe they can’t get ahead, no matter what. But Scripture states, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13 ESV

     

  • Quickly surrendering when confronted – Those who struggle with a victim mindset can’t handle feedback, even if it’s presented in a kind manner.

     

  • Always blaming yourself – A poverty spirit convinces you that every obstacle or challenge is your fault, even when it’s not your responsibility.

     

  • Hoarding – My wife and I used to hoard so many trinkets and toys. Our backyard started to resemble a junkyard! Eventually, we loaded our stuff into a trailer and hauled it off. Today, our property is beautiful and has plenty of room for our grandchildren to play.

     

  • Impulse buying, with remorse – A victim mindset presumes there is never enough, so impulse buying, mixed with regret, is common.

     

  • Giving away money you shouldn’t – Over-generosity is a sign of the poverty spirit. Don’t believe me? Read this post on the subject.
  • Presuming failure before beginning – People with a victim mindset claim they’re just being “realistic.” But Prosperous Souls recognize challenges ahead and meet them with ferocity.  

  • Running away from creative ideas – Those who partner with lack shy away from creative solutions. But Kingdom thinking is innovative! We must seize God’s ideas and abandon those that no longer work.

  • Awkward side hugs, where you cower low – Years ago, one of my clients greeted me with an awkward side hug. In that moment, I realized: This person believes they have no value. I confronted them on this action and they confessed to having a lack of confidence. 

  • Procrastinating important tasks – A poverty spirit cripples your ability to move forward with responsibility.

  • Always talking about things but never starting them – Kingdom thinking requires you to back up your ideas with solutions. Anyone can sprinkle out ideas. It takes courage to execute them. 
  • Having trouble sleeping because of worry – Stress is not God’s will for your life. If you struggle with sleep, partner with the Holy Spirit’s peace. Say, “Holy Spirit, I give you worry and ask for Your rest in exchange.”

  • Complaining about rich people – Those influenced by a poverty spirit despise those who rise from the grime. As Prosperous Souls, we honor everyone who is blessed by God. 

  • Inability to say “no” or keep boundaries – People who struggle with a victim mindset lack self-value. They can’t honor themselves, so they refuse to protect their own needs. 

  • Hiding from the amounts you owe (debt) – Hiding from your numbers is a key sign of a poverty spirit. Prosperous Souls know their financial figures, and aren’t afraid to improve them. 

  • Self-pity parties – Powerless thinking tricks you into wallowing in self-pity, instead of choosing to grow. 

  • Inability to imagine a better tomorrow – Those who partner with a victim mindset kill their ability to dream. But God calls us to hope and imagine. Scripture says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” – Proverbs 13:12 ESV

If you recognize any of these behaviors, congratulations! You’ve identified the presence of a poverty spirit.

The next step is to remove its influence through partnership with Jesus. We’ll go over this in a future post. 

In conclusion, here’s a Financial Healing prayer:

“Holy Spirit, thank You for revealing the signs of the poverty spirit. Please remove its influence from my life and equip me to embrace the identity of a Prosperous Soul. I reject anxiety, hopelessness, and lack, in Jesus’ Name. I receive peace, hope, and abundance in exchange. Amen.”

P.S. For an even deeper look at the signs of the poverty spirit, check out Appendix C of my manual, Prosperous Soul Online: Foundations.

Secrecy is a sign of Mammon

secrecy sign of mammon

What do clubs like the Freemasons, Odd Fellows, and Illuminati have in common?

They’re all shrouded in secrecy.

Back in 2007, when I was researching for my first book, I discovered that secrecy is a hallmark of mammon.

But what is mammon?

Mammon is the deification of wealth—the personification of it.

It’s worshipping money for the sake of it. It’s selling your soul get ahead, no matter who’s hurt.

Money is power and secrecy is a strategy the enemy uses to hold onto power.

Now, I’m sure most of you have never been part of a secret club, but I bet somewhere in your family line a relative has dabbled in one (especially free masonry if you’re in the United States).

Even if you’re sure you’ve never opened this door, it’s good to cover yourself in prayer.

To disempower the effects of mammon, say, “I see you, mammon. I do not partner with you. I send you back in Jesus’ Name. 

Jesus, cleanse me from all ties to this spirit. Forgive anyone in my family who has opened a door to secrecy or exclusive clubs. Jesus, what gift do you have for me in exchange?”

Write down what Holy Spirit says and place it on your fridge or bathroom mirror. Make sure it’s somewhere you can visit daily and remind yourself of the breakthrough God has provided.

If you need help removing any more fingerprints of mammon, schedule a Financial Sozo with me. We can root out any sneaky side effects of this spirit and replace them with God’s truth.

Fingerprints of Mammon

fingerprints of mammon

Mammon is one of those words that gets thrown around in Christian circles. But what does it actually mean?

The term, which is mentioned in Scripture as mammonas, comes from the Greek word μαμμωνᾶς. Its origin is Chaldean (Babylonian) and is defined as:

To personify wealth. To deify riches as a god.

Mammon is a mastering spirit. It’s associated with greed and lust, but sins like secrecy, addiction, and envy are also characteristics.

For a full list of mammon’s traits, here’s a list I’ve compiled over the years. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any present in your life, then rebuke them:

  • Mammon thrives on secrecy and half-truths by questioning your boundaries and twisting your thinking.

  • Mammon invites unhealthy comparisons and factions between individuals, families, and teams.
  • Mammon craves immoral and sensuous living in exchange for its own worship.

  • Mammon is an incubator for addictions and conspiracies.

  • Mammon is the source of entitlement, greed, and envy of others’ success.

Mammon views money as a source of worship. It’s evil and must be displaced by God’s truth.

Breaking free from mammon

God wants us to use wealth, but not be mastered by it. If you discern mammon’s presence in your life, you can break free with this renunciation prayer:

“I see you, Mammon. I do not partner with you. I send you back in Jesus’ Name. Jesus, forgive me for opening a door to secrecy, comparison, immorality, addiction, and greed. I hand this all to You and ask for Your goodness in its place. Jesus, what do You have for me in exchange?”

How the Poverty Spirit Attacks your Self-Worth

how poverty spirit attacks self worth

Did you know that low self-worth is a sign of the poverty spirit? I battled with this myself for years.

It wasn’t until I took time to truly connect with God and listen to His promises about me that I realized I was deeply loved and valued. This realization gave me permission to finally think positively about myself.

In Western Christianity, there’s this strange misconception about humility. Some think that it means constantly debasing yourself or downplaying your achievements.

I used to fall into this trap when I was influenced by the poverty spirit. Whenever someone praised my accomplishments, I’d brush them off and attribute it to luck. I struggled to even accept applause because I felt no value for myself.

But now, I understand that humility involves embracing what God says, even if it makes me feel uncomfortable. Today, when people congratulate me, I make an effort to receive their words because I know God is speaking through them to encourage me.

If you find yourself struggling to receive compliments, it could be a sign of the poverty spirit. If you discern this is the case, spend time alone with God and ask Him, “How do you see me?” Write down what He says and post it on your fridge or bathroom mirror—anywhere you can regularly revisit it.

Once you’ve begun to absorb God’s truths, take the courageous yet humble step of believing His words and incorporating them into your life.

P.S: For an even deeper look at more signs of the poverty spirit, checkout Appendix C of my manual, Prosperous Soul Online: Foundations.

Breaking Old Habits of Poverty Thinking

breaking habits

Did you know that it’s possible to break free from a poverty mindset, but still act out of old habits that were formed during poverty thinking?

Just like recovering from any addiction, relearning how to live in a healthy way takes time. This is the practical, nitty-gritty side of inner healing that many overlook.

What do old poverty habits look like?

Back when Dawna and I were newlyweds, we were in so much debt that we felt anxiety every time we opened our mailbox. We feared another bill would pop out, and threaten our financial stability. Some days, we couldn’t even go near our mailbox because we were so discouraged.

Fast forward 4 decades: Dawna and I have experienced so much breakthrough. Our old habit of fearing the mailbox has vanished because of a new season of abundance.

However, during the COVID lockdowns, we found our businesses crippled and our finances greatly impacted. We backslid into old poverty habits of fear. What happened?

The human tendency to reach for safety

When we face crises, it’s easy to slip back into familiar patterns. Despite being liberated, our need for protection can force us to reach for old modes of thinking. This can play tricks on us and make us wonder, Did I even get healed in the first place?

Turns out you did, but the human need for comfort means that old habits might resurface. When this happens, don’t panic. Work with Holy Spirit to rebuke them and pursue truth.

Getting back on track

If you find yourself struggling with old poverty habits, use these 4 steps to exchange them for a Prosperous Mindset:

1. Pay attention to the words you use about money. Take note of how you communicate with others. Do you make self-deprecating comments or victimize yourself? Do you speak with self-pity? If you notice yourself speaking negatively, acknowledge it, and refuse to partner with it. A useful prayer can look like, “I see you, poverty. I do not partner with you. I send you back in Jesus’ Name. Jesus, what truth do you have for me in exchange?”

2. Take note of when you feel anxious or concerned about money. Recognize these moments when you feel uncomfortable. View them as opportunities for change. Remind yourself that these emotions are remnants of your past. They no longer define you, so as my wife, Dawna, says, “Check your baggage at the door.”

3. Seek guidance from the Holy Spirit. Ask Him what you can do differently. Listen to the Holy Spirit’s promptings and jot down 3 actions you can implement this week. These acts could be big or small. Either way, view them as prophetic ways to ignite your prosperous journey. Don’t worry if they don’t make sense. Just listen to what the Lord says. For instance, Dawna used to go to our mailbox, mail off the few bills we could afford, then declare, “Thank You, Lord, that You gave us the money to cover these bills. We faithfully expect You to provide more to cover our remaining expenses.”

4. Remember, things really are different now. Don’t settle for the poverty spirit. Embrace your newfound freedom as a Prosperous Soul, and recognize its potential impact on future generations. The hard work you do today will bring spiritual and financial breakthrough for your children’s children.  

P.S: if you need help overcoming old poverty habits, consider scheduling a Financial Sozo session with me. Together, we can address any money-lies harassing you and cultivate healthy habits that align with Christ’s vision for your life. Click here to learn more.

How to Discern the Spirit of Poverty

A dark shadow cast on a wall, symbolizing the unseen influence of the spirit of poverty. This image represents the feeling of financial lack, fear, and limitation that comes with a poverty mindset.

The other day, a client asked if we could do a Financial Sozo. We met and worked through their issues, and discovered a lie that was fueling a sneaky poverty behavior: over-generosity.

Huh? That’s weird. How is over-generosity a sign of poverty?

The spirit of poverty can be tricky. It doesn’t come out and say, “I’m a poverty mindset!” It can manifest in seemingly unrelated ways.

During the Financial Sozo, my client discovered that they were giving away too much money. Holy Spirit revealed that they didn’t believe they were worth investing in. My client lavishly gave away funds, but this dipped into their living needs and harmed their peace.

This is how people can go into debt through generosity. On the surface, giving seems honorable, but if you neglect your own needs to the point of accumulating debt, that’s a sign of the spirit of poverty.

What does the Bible say about Over-generosity?

It’s hard to believe that generosity can be unhealthy. As Christians, we’re convinced that giving is good, and it is! Scripture promotes giving. Here are some verses reaffirming this truth:

A broken magnifying glass symbolizing the distorted perception caused by the spirit of poverty. This represents how a poverty mindset skews one's view of financial provision and abundance.

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? – 1 John 3:17

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38 

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. – Luke 12:33

Reading these verses, it’s hard to think: Is it ever wrong to give? The answer is yes. Here’s one instance: giving becomes dangerous when we neglect our own needs—especially those of our family. It violates God’s commands of provision and protection. Consider this verse:

Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. – 1 Timothy 5:8 NIV

Worse than an unbeliever? Ouch. It’s evident that God cares deeply about our families. He expects spouses, especially husbands, to provide for their homes. This is why when you’re in debt, or teetering toward it, giving is wrong. 

Get your Finances in Shape, then Give. 

Over-giving stems from a mindset of scarcity, a key sign of the spirit of poverty. When you struggle with this thinking, you give out of a need to prove your worth to God. But this traps you in a cycle of instability, which sacrifices your family’s needs for the sake of others. It’s not right.

Partnership with Holy Spirit

One way to resolve over-generosity is to turn to the Holy Spirit. He’s the One Who can search our hearts and remove a poverty lie’s influence. Use these steps to partner with Him and identify the source of an ungodly behavior:

  1. Ask the Holy Spirit what’s really going on. Say, “Holy Spirit, is there a lie I’m believing?”

  2. If He identifies a lie, renounce partnership with it. Say, “I see you, poverty, and I send you back in Jesus’ Name. I renounce the lie that I’m not worth investing in, and I receive Your truth. Jesus, what truth do You want me to know?”

  3. Once Jesus reveals His truth, discern how you can activate it in your life. In my client’s case, he heard God say, “Your life is valuable. The more strength you receive, the more you can pour into others.” This spoke deeply to his heart, and inspired him to retool his giving, so he could save more money. 

The goal of this process is not just to remove a poverty mindset, but also the lens of orphanhood. The orphan spirit says you are not enough, you are not worthy, and victory is not even worth fighting for because you’ll always be stuck in the same cycle.

That’s a pretty disempowering outlook.

But imagine viewing life through Christ’s spirit of adoption, which says you are loved, protected, and accepted by God. This outlook honors your financial necessities, and gives you permission to steward your wealth, because caring for others also means caring for yourself.

P.S. For an even deeper look at the signs of the spirit of poverty, check out my online training, Prosperous Soul Online: Foundations.

A white dove in flight, representing the Holy Spirit as the opposite of the spirit of poverty. This image contrasts the bondage of lack with the freedom found in God's provision and truth.