If you go into prison and ask the men imprisoned there what personal attributes they have that are positive (I have done this in prison ministry). Nearly all of them will have included in their self appraisals that they are HONEST, Truthful, Sincere, Good Men in a bad situation. In ten years of Prison ministry it never ceased to amaze. If they were so honest, WHY are they there??? Just this last week a guy who I worked with in prison ministry went back to prison for theft. YET...he told me many times how honest he was when I was one on one with him, working side by side.
I know people who are as cheap, stingy and miserly as anyone on earth (would make Ebenezer Scrooge blush) ...yet from those same people they will say, "I am the most giving person I know". Self delusion about our own character is astounding.
Character is being and knowing who you really are and then trying to do better. Good Character is desirable and attractive to others. In business I want to do business with people who are as good as their word. Who if they say they are going to do a thing, make a payment, deliver a good or a service, you can write it on the wall. Their word truly IS their bond. You would trust them with ten thousand dollars and expect it to be taken care of and returned intact.
Poor character leads to financial problems when people make promises with their mouth that the rest of them can't keep, trying to remember what they told who leads to low self esteem, con game strategies that cause all kinds of protective gyrations (no one is smart enough to pull this off for long). Poor character often comes from toxic relationships continued with people of bad character. That can lead to legal troubles. The list of people who were cheated, shorted or stiffed means that person has a deep hole to dig out of even if their debts are forgiven. Bad Character equals a bad reputation. Poor character damages relationships you wish would be better.
To attract prosperity, we need to do better in our character. The ones who hold the key to our breakout of poverty and breakthru to prosperity are attracted to dependability, integrity, honesty. This means if you make an appointment to see someone, show up ON TIME. IF you say you are going to begin a project or a meeting at a certain time and complete it at a certain time they can mark it down. It is NOT a cultural thing that everything and everyone starts and ends late. That showing up on time is not our culture. It's just poor character. Even in Church life, the most prosperous and successful ministries do exactly what they said, start and end exactly on time. Yes, we need time for the Holy Spirit to move, but mostly it's the guy with the mike who can't stay silent for HIM to do his work.
You will see that I am staying clear of the spiritual causes of poverty ... for now. They are easy. Most people can stand up and holler when they come up. They have been over taught WRONGLY for too long. When I have exhausted the mental attitudes and negative behaviors that manifest themselves in poverty... I will address the poverty from Spiritual causes. Too many itching ear preachers talk about all the spiritual components because they are afraid to confront their members on the behavior and attitudes that keep them locked in lack. As a result they have a congregation of a thousand who give like they were a hundred. I'm hoping that by coming against the attitudes and behaviors first that we will admit to ourselves why we are where we are. I am tired of poor saints staying poor. It's high time we come up higher...much higher. But we have to start with the Strongholds of poverty in the Mind and the Behaviors that they manifest that keep them there. I know too many saints who have read all the books on prosperity printed by the prosperity teachers, can rehearse the principles, but still languish in lack. Time to bring to the fore those things that keep us there. The Kingdom of God NEEDS you to Prosper. I know I will offend some, but as the old saying goes, that which offends the mind, reveals the heart. Some minds need to be offended so hearts are revealed.
Build better character and get out of that hole you are in. It starts with YOU. Your character determines the kind of life you will lead. The life you lead may indicate your character. If you are always on the make...you will not make it.
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