The Poverty Spirit
In Matthew chapter seventeen, there is a record of the disciples trying to cast an evil spirit out of a boy. After they failed, they brought the boy to Jesus who removed the demon and healed the child. Later, when the disciples asked why they were unable to remove the demon, Jesus said:
“Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matt 17:20 NKJV
He then added this remark:
“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
What did Jesus mean when he said the kind of demon they encountered did not come out except by prayer and fasting?
He implied that there are different types of demons. The word that is translated kind in this verse is the Greek word γένος (genos) from which we get the English word ‘genealogy’. This word describes the differences between related varieties of living beings—between families, races, tribes, or nations. There are different families or races of demons and the one they encountered was somehow different. If you’re curious to know how it was different, consider that Mark’s account mentioned that the demon caused the boy to be deaf and mute. Matthew noted that it caused him to have seizures. Both accounts mention only one spirit. This is the only spirit mentioned in the Bible that caused more than one type of physical affliction. (Compare Mt. 17:15 and Mk. 9:25)
Evil spirits specialize. Some specialize in physical affliction, like the spirit that afflicted the woman who had been crippled for eighteen years (Lk. 13:11). Some specialize in emotional trauma, like the one that terrorized King Saul (1 Sam. 18:10). Some specialize in divination, like the spirit Paul cast from the woman who followed him for many days. (Acts 16:17-18) Some specialize in lust. Others specialize in fear.
Most of us are influenced by evil spirits on a regular basis. (Note that I said influenced and not possessed.) When a person comes under the influence of an orphan spirit, they may profess to believe that God loves them but they act as if He doesn’t. When a person comes under the influence of a religious spirit, they judge the behavior of others as ungodly and hold them to a legalistic interpretation of the scriptures. When we come under the influence of a poverty spirit, we reject the idea that God wants us to prosper.
The poverty spirit promotes its agenda by slightly twisting the scriptures. “Money is the root of all evil” the spirit will say, omitting the first part of the verse. The full verse, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” reveals that money itself is not the problem but rather, an evil heart that desires money above all else.
Simon the sorcerer is held up as an example of those who hope to get rich from Christian ministry. The poverty spirit tells us a true child of God would never prosper from such work. The apostle Peter received a word of knowledge from the Lord about Simon’s problem. He had a bitter heart filled with iniquity:
“For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
Acts 8:23
If one’s primary desire from ministry is a large paycheck, then greed has likely poisoned their heart. But we should ask if it’s possible to love the Lord with all our heart and serve him out of that passion and still be blessed financially.
Does financial prosperity always indicate a motive of greed?
The poverty spirit insists that financial blessing must always be rejected as evil. It whispers in our ear that it is the poor that God truly cares for. The rich are only rich because they are evil. We should never seek or expect any type of financial blessing. The poverty spirit will coin phrases like, “Some people are so poor, all they have is money.”
To those who are under the influence of the poverty spirit, poverty itself is a virtue. It causes them to be satisfied with less than what God wants for them and it becomes an excuse not to expect anything more than what they have.
I have a friend who has worked in banking most of his life. I’ve never met anyone who is as blessed, financially. I’ve also never met anyone who is a more generous giver. When the Lord leads, he’ll drop thousands of dollars in an envelope and hand it to a stranger at a gas station. He thought nothing of spending $10,000 to fly me to Australia to teach his friends about healing. If things went well, he was prepared to spend $100,000 on a much larger kingdom-related project. Does financial blessing always indicate the one who is blessed has a greedy heart?
Before moving to Arizona in 2011, Denise and I led a comfortable lifestyle. Our two incomes allowed us the freedom to make generous donations. After moving here, our finances took a hit. It’s a long story but in the years since then, we’ve gradually climbed out of that hole and our finances now allow us to give generously to others. We consider it an honor and a privilege. If we had allowed ourselves to be influenced by the poverty spirit, we would have doomed ourselves to a meager, pitiful existence that prevented us from impacting the world in a significant way. We refuse to allow that spirit to influence us.
President Trump has provided all the things necessary for Americans to live a prosperous lifestyle. Sadly, many people will miss out on that opportunity because they’ve chosen to believe a lie. I’m not suggesting that God has a Ferrari waiting for you if you just have enough faith to receive it. I loathe the “prosperity gospel” as much as anyone. The spirit of greed is just as dangerous as the spirit of poverty. Guard your heart with all diligence. Refrain from allowing any kind of evil spirit to influence you, especially one that promises to make you appear more virtuous. Appearances are seldom what they seem.
AWESOME!!! Excellent teaching!! Thank you ?
This is extremely hard to open up about, and I never thought it was truly possible, but I have been possessed by a malevolent spirit for over a month now. I’m feeling hopeless about freeing myself from it. I’m not sure where to get help.
I would really appreciate some advice on the matter. ??
Please consider contacting these people. They do great work: https://www.freedomencounters.com/desire-ministry/
This was very good
Excellent teaching. Thank you for clarifying some things for me.
Wonderful teaching sir.
Great job PM! We lost power for 4 days with Hurricane Michael and had to retreat to a hotel because of sleep apnea issues. My brother asked if we had financial setbacks and I could testify that God had provided for our needs. We are not rich but God has made us assured that He will help us in time of need.
Is this teaching taken from one of your books?
I wrote it today.
I would love to know how to break off that spirit of poverty. It has plagued three generations of my family. I followed the Prosperity Gospel for a few years, but like the New Age movement, it seemed more about incantions than anything else. I would appreciate prayer, but also instruction. Thank q and God Bless you.
What other spirits are cast out by prayer and fasting? Very good delivery of the message and Bible packed! Much appreciated .
I needed to hear that. Thank you
My husband and I have been exploring this very topic for about a year now. This piece has been very helpful and put so much of our thoughts and experiences into words. Your inclusion of scriptures is very much helping us along this learning path. Thank you for sharing.
It is the unbelief that goes out by prayer and fasting. The demon (every demon) goes out in the name of Jesus, if unbelief does not hinder.
Great teaching. I had a dream last night about President Trump. He was visiting many of us, not quite a rally, very friendly and personable. He got up from the table and said I have to go I have an early meeting tomorrow. I followed him and said you’re my hero, honored to shake your hand. Without me asking he took a pen from my pocket and offered an autograph. I emptied my pockets looking for something to sign. He took a crisp new 2 dollar bill from my hand and signed it, handed it back.
What are your thoughts on meaning if any?
I think the near future will look like he is taking money but will give it back as more valuable. Love you man!
Interesting dream.
$2 bills are very uncommon but nonetheless valid notes. Perhaps your dream is indicating an uncommon solution to the economy or your economy since it came from your pocket. Seek the Lord for His interpretation.
Here is the immediate scriptural thought that was brought to my mind right after i read your description of the dream Way back in long cave.mental institute ;with patients;in the hallway and way back behind a closed door and the sinister vibe there was and need to not tarry or to not go into the closed off room , employee not wanting you there. then going back
home Wanting to be back home with your wife. And peace you would have. The scripture that comes to my mind is found in 2nd Timothy chapter one – verse 7. The Spirit of the Lord is saying His people – not you- but the weak Believers, the worriers, have so much anxiety about life, not close enough with Father God.I sense your dark sinister vibe was spirit of fear that has Christians bound. The Body of Christ has way too much fear. that keeps them stuck in a weakened mindset. need to stay in the Light. And not be living like they are way back in a dark cave.. ( like it is when they are trusting in the natural materialistic life) Not be in want if they are close to Father God through Jesus;Who will show them Who our Father in Heaven truly is.He makes us able to Love with real compassion with heart full of mercy-,plus to have the kind of Power that is self control and courage and much Faith and soundness of minds.that is– stability in our thinking; able to be patient -to wait upon the Lord ;able to be totally confident in watching how He will take care of us.Now this is for you from the Lord: This dream is indicative of your heavy ministry i think. So much heavy stuff surfacing that people are subjected with to handle every day.. You really need to have a peaceful restful good personal life.close to home and the wife. Like Jesus did when He would sneak away to his place in the garden to be near the Father and to pray. and rest up…
This interpretation is extremely confusing and doesn’t seem even remotely close to the dream that was put out. Thank you PM for dedicating yourself to Q interpreting. Very well needed for those of us that find danger in navigating the web for long periods of time.
Thank you for this very timely message. I’ve needed to ask God for significant financial help in a crisis, and I’ve been hesitant and afraid to do so, even though He has always provided.
Fasting and prayer begins today!
Thanks for the education
If permitted by PM here is a newer more recent great interview with Mark Taylor.
It gets into child sacrifice, to Baal, Kavanaugh, seems to agree with Q re: Sessions, direct assault on conservative states w/ manipulated weather, attempts to steer upcoming elections, October surprise and a lot more (haven’t finished listening to whole thing). Also high tech kind of manipulations of the mind.
Thank you PM for your insight.Please help me with prayers . I have been praying for a ways of making extra money to start our savings . We like in the uk and my parents are in Africa but I’m not finding ways to raise enough just for savings or even for travel .My husband works 2 jobs but he never seems to have surplus I have one job of which by the time bills are paid we will be left with less than £200 for the rest of the month. I need out of this tight situation please help with prayer
the money tithe was fabricated by men. It’s a lie that extorts in the name of “God’s blessings”. https://www.facebook.com/groups/180373015021/?ref=bookmarks
This was great! I love that you are writing again. 😉 I also greatly appreciate all that you do.
ANYONE can change the world; just start by changing yourself{whether good, bad or some other change) and you will see everything around you change. But everything seems so superficial. I would be happy to change ME, if only I knew how. Soon to be 70 years old; maybe that boat already sailed.
Change in yourself does not normally happen with ease especially when we try by our sheer will. Instead of being focused on yourself, try focusing on Christ and allow Him to change you. Here is an exercise I like and while it seems like a nothingburger on the face of it, the subterraneal work that is done in the inner man is earth shattering. Begin my turning your attention to Christ. Simply think about Him. Best is first thing before your feet hit the floor. Call out His name. Do this for 3-5 minutes. It will be hard for your mind not to wander. Call out His Name each time you lose focus. Your mind can’t help think about what you speak. One day you will wake up to find that it becomes easier and you are changing. God Bless