Glory-Grit Nuggets: POVERTY MENTALITY

I can remember a time when Keith and I struggled so hard financially to make ends meet. When we first got married, full time ministry equaled full time struggle. Before we married, we both had great jobs with promised promotions and amazing money (especially for back then)! But we knew God’s voice, and we knew what we were called to do. Financially, though, we struggled. Pouring our love, blood, sweat, and tears into pastoring, evangelizing, missions, youth camp and EDA, using personal money to make all of those things happen drained us year after year. And I mean, for years!

I remember driving vehicles until they couldn’t take us on long trips anymore. I remember one vehicle, on the way through Pennsylvania, the brakes went out on the interstate. We really thought it would make it just one more trip! God protected us and provided miraculously. I remember not being able to afford new tires, so we literally drove by faith on bald wheels for months. For a long time, we managed with one vehicle.

Eventually, things began to turn around as we got a better grip on not spending personal money for all those outreaches. The barge continued to turn as the Lord brought into our lives people who understood scripture concerning this matter.

We’ve always had a board of directors for our ministry, and they always tried to take care of us – but, many, many times we refused or just didn’t have the funds to be taken care of.

Finally, a few years ago, we began to listen to wise counsel (our board), and really take the word of God to heart concerning how a church will be blessed if it blesses the pastor. We’ve seen God’s hand in beautiful ways!

I remember those times (story after story of struggle), but I can now also testify of God’s goodness!! We’ve given away vehicles to bless others. We’ve bought tires for others. Many times we’ve provided groceries and necessities for people.

And now, I’m finally coming to the place where I don’t feel the need to explain why I got a new outfit, new vehicle, or new anything. Poverty mentality can weigh you down, and when you’ve been there for so long, it’s hard to come out of the weight of it. But, it is necessary. And while it is true, some people will only see the blessings and promotions, and never see where you came from, you can’t spend your life explaining it over and over again.

Just rest. Take it from a gal who struggled so many years with a poverty mentality and all the emotions it involves! Just rest and be blessed. Oh, and make sure you’re building relationships of mutual love and respect. A tribe that celebrates one another. A tribe that cries together, laughs together, feels the sting of loss together, and rejoices in victories together!

*Phil. 4:19; Luke 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:8