[Repost] 17 Signs of the Poverty Spirit

Since we’re diving into the signs of a poverty mindset, I thought it’d be useful to go through some specific behaviors in depth.

To save time, I’ve included a repost of one of my most popular blog posts, 17 Signs of the Poverty Spirit. In it, I explore nearly every example of a poverty mindset featured in this week’s free handout.

My hope is that this information inspires you to recognize and remove any signs of poverty that may be hindering your journey.

Don't miss our live session this afternoon

We’re meeting today at 3:30 PM (CA time). Bring your questions! Download my free handout here.

Fingerprints of poverty

Sometimes it’s hard to recognize which poverty issues we’re dealing with. They can become so familiar that it takes the Holy Spirit, or a trusted outside voice, to reveal their […]

 

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Breaking free from poverty

Poverty is more than a condition of not having money. It’s a three-pronged reality made up of: Systems: public or private institutions that keep people trapped in lack. Mindsets: unhealthy […]

 

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Book club: Foundations – Chapter 5

We’re still meeting this afternoon! I apologize for the late post. One of my daughters-in-law is having a baby. Yay! I’ll keep this message brief. This week, we’re talking about […]

 

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Open Discussion: More Signs of a Poverty Spirit

I’m back from Argentina! Dawna and I had such a wonderful time. Argentines are truly lovely people, and we’re excited to see their country thrive.

This week, we’ll continue our discussion on the signs of the poverty spirit. We’ll dive into four more symptoms from my master list:

  • Running away from creative ideas

  • Awkward side hugs, where you cower low

  • Procrastinating important tasks

  • Always talking about things but never starting them

The symptom we’ll discuss today is awkward side hugs, where you cower low.

Have you ever noticed a handshake or hug from someone that feels insecure? I identified this in one of my clients years ago, when they greeted me with an awkward side hug.

Now, it wasn’t just a weak hug. They physically bent low and made themselves appear smaller. It was strange.

In that moment, I realized: Wow. This person believes they have no value. I confronted them gently on this topic and they confessed to struggling with confidence.

Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean we all have to hug people. If you’re not a hugger, then don’t do it! But the point is, when you greet someone, whether it’s a handshake, an embrace, or a simple hello, do so with confidence.

We can talk more about the symptoms of the poverty spirit in Wednesday’s live discussion. You can download my free handout here. I’ll see you soon.

MMT recording

In last week’s video, we tackled the concept of poverty synergies—demonic strongholds that form when poverty mindsets, powers, and systems intersect. To combat these synergies, we must gear up with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13–20). Let’s break free from the spirit of poverty!

Book club: Prosperous Soul Foundations Chapter 6: Breaking Poverty

Two lessons ago, we explored the poverty web, a visualization of the three aspects of poverty: mindsets, powers, and systems.

The basic idea of the poverty web is when any of these aspects combine, it creates a powerful synergy.

Synergies are demonic strongholds which must be dismantled quickly.

An example of a poverty synergy is when someone’s mindset gets tangled with demonic influences. In such cases, a person agrees with negative broadcasts like, Things will never work or Trying is hopeless. If unchecked, this cycle of negativity creates a poverty attitude, continuously fueled by destructive influences.

Understanding Synergies

In my time as a financial counselor, I’ve identified four key poverty synergies:

  1. Powers + mindsets – Demonic beliefs that influence and create unhealthy attitudes.

  2. Mindsets + systems – Poverty mindsets reinforced by fruitless economic systems.

  3. Systems + powers – Fruitless economic systems reinforced by demonic influence.

  4. All parts converging into a poverty trap – A stronghold where demonic voices, unhealthy mindsets, and broken economic systems keep you trapped.

Strategies for Healing

We can combat these synergies by using tools hidden in Paul’s message of the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13–20):

  1. Systems are overcome by replacing worldly economies with those of the kingdom of God.

  2. Powers are overcome by binding and loosing (Matthew 10:8, 16:19, 17:19), godly speech (Colossians 4:6), and worship (Colossians 3:16).

  3. Mindsets are overcome by exchanging deeply held lies with biblical truth (Hebrews 4:12).

  4. Traps are overcome by becoming Prosperous Souls, active and effective in righteous and holy lifestyles.

Breaking Poverty Mindsets

Breaking poverty’s grip is crucial, and the first step is shattering its mindset. The poverty mindset isn’t a demon, so we can’t cast it out. But we can displace it by renouncing its hold and replacing it with God’s truth.

To get started on the process of displacing poverty, read the following verses. Allow them to speak to your heart:

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” – Colossians 1:13

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

“If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

A Prayer for Freedom

We’ll talk more about breaking poverty in our video on Wednesday. For now, here’s a prayer:

Father God, I confess the presence of a beggary attitude in my heart, speech, and thinking. I understand this is not from You and You do not author such things. I repent for allowing this lie into my life and ask You to break it forever now, in Jesus’ name. As You bring these things to mind, however and whenever they occurred inside me, I forgive and release each person involved. I believe You are a Giver of good gifts. I ask for a Prosperous Soul and embrace that gift. I call it mine. Thank You, Father, for loving me like You loved Your Son, Jesus. I ask You to seal this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.

No Live Meeting this Wednesday

Dawna and I are still teaching in Argentina, so there’s no meeting on Wednesday. Instead, I’ll release a pre-recorded session. Be sure to view it, so you can continue your Financial Healing journey. Download my free handout here.

MMT recording

In last week’s video, I shared four signs of poverty thinking: Hoarding, Impulse buying with remorse, Giving away money you shouldn’t, and Presuming failure before beginning. I also shared an anointed prayer to help you break free from these poverty behaviors.

Open Discussion: 4 Signs of a Poverty Spirit

Two weeks ago, we explored four signs of the poverty spirit. This week, let’s dive into four more: Hoarding Impulse buying with remorse Giving away money you shouldn’t Presuming failure […]

 

This content is for our paid members. You can see our membership options here.

Open Discussion: More Signs of a Poverty Spirit

Two weeks ago, we explored some signs of the poverty spirit. Today, we’ll discuss a few more:

  • Hoarding

  • Impulse buying with remorse

  • Giving away money you shouldn’t

  • Presuming failure before beginning

Let’s briefly touch on this third behavior: giving away money you shouldn’t.

This is a rough statement for some Christians. After all, how can giving be a sign of poverty thinking? Allow me to explain.

While it’s true that Scripture encourages us to give, it’s also true that God doesn’t want us to share what we don’t have. The Bible says:

“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. God cares deeply about our loved ones, and He expects us to provide for them.

So, What’s the Balance?

I’ve worked with many clients over the years. Some, drowning in debt, would feel guilty about not being able to give. These were painful discussions, and I often recommended: dig yourself out of this hole first, then give.

Now, this doesn’t mean we all stop contributing until we’re rich. But God doesn’t want us to neglect our own needs or go into debt to the benefit of others.

This month, allow yourself to provide for yourself and your family, then give from that place of stability.

No Live Meeting Today

Dawna and I are traveling in Argentina, so there’s no meeting today. Instead, I’ve uploaded a pre-recorded session, which you can access below. My free handout is available here. I’ll see you in a few days.

View Today’s Lesson

In this pre-recorded lesson, I cover four signs of poverty thinking: Hoarding, Impulse buying with remorse, Giving away money you shouldn’t, and Presuming failure before beginning. We’ll work through an inner healing prayer to break us free from any behaviors. Let’s get on the path to Financial Health!