Is poverty a punishment from God?

[RealityOfLife]

Originally Posted by freed.y

I don't think so... God doesn't punish people.

People in positions of authority are out to get what they can - there are many innocent victims of a society lacking in love and compassion.

[udeze]

@freed.y God can sometimes punish people when they disobey him but I don't think that's the reason why some people are poor, There are so many reasons why so many people are poor of which punishment is just a part of it

[quentinuys]

Punishment??? God do not punish anyone. We should be greatefull for what we have and stop complaining about money. We sleep every night and eat every day. When I used to worry about what I have, I had nothing. When I started appreciating what I have, I got plenty.

[udeze]

Some people might call it punishment, others might refer to it as discipline, I will rather go with the later, whichever way you look at it, I believe that God has a way of lovingly turning His children from rebellion to obedience, God is a loving and concerned Father. Just as we discipline our own children for their welfare, so does our heavenly Father lovingly correct His children for their benefit.

[mtngoater2011]

Psalm 73
1 . <<A Psalm of Asaph.>> Truly God [is] good to Israel, [even] to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For [there are] no bands in their death: but their strength [is] firm.
5 They [are] not in trouble [as other] men; neither are they plagued like [other] men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them [as] a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly [concerning] oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full [cup] are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Behold, these [are] the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase [in] riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart [in] vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 . If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend [against] the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it [was] too painful for me;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; [then] understood I their end.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19 How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when [one] awaketh; [so], O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21 . Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish [was] I, and ignorant: I was [as] a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I [am] continually with thee: thou hast holden [me] by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me [to] glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28 But [it is] good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

[maritzy]

Bob was praying to God one evening. He said, "God?" God responded, "Yes?" Bob said, "Can I ask you a question?" "Go right ahead" , God said. "God what is a million years to you?" God said, "A million years is only a second." Bob wondered. Then asked, "God, what is a million rand worth to you?" God said " A million rand is one cent." So Bob said, " God can I have a cent?" and God cheerfully said, "Sure!........Just a second."

[jamie003]

Originally Posted by Gloria1

what do you think?.. are we poor because God is punishing us?

NO!!!!!!

This is a drastic misconception: that because God is so big and He can do anything, He causes the evil, and in this case it's poverty. God cannot be punished and He cannot punish people, if punishment were to come it wouldn't be by God it would be through the sinful world that we live in. That's the short answer, I suggest you try this site: Christian Teen Forums and Chat - Forum for Christian Teens