Breaking the Curse of Poverty

Luke 16
1He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. 2So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’
3“Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’
5“So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6And he said, ‘A hundred £measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred £measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.

Jacob’s discourse with Laban:

Genesis 31:36-42

1. Work for Laban half of a generation
2. Sow much and reap little (exploitation)
3. They were grandchildren of Laban (impartial & merciless)
4. He had no generational wealth plan (sent me away empty)
5. This system is a curse (the lord rebuke you last night)


Before the parable of the unjust steward Jesus told the parable of the prodigal son

Luke 15:11-32
1. Parable of mismanagement of recourses
2. No generational plan for the future
3. No storehouse principle (savings)
4. Bad spending habits (riotous living)
5. Leeds to lack and poverty

Luke 16:1-8
The children of this world were wiser that the children of light because they:
1. Corrected their waste
2. Redeemed their stewardship (the ability to manage money)
3. Were not diggers (hustler)
4. Were not beggars (leach, sponge, moocher, panhandler)
5. Were not derelicts (neglectful of duty and delinquent)
6. Were not scamps (careless, selfish or a loafer)
7. Had a plan (I have resolve what to do)
8. Dealt shrewdly (astute, sharp and practical)
9. Thought generational (in their generation)

Generational Planning

Wealth means much more than a large bank account. Wealth is a legacy of resources, skills and relationships.

Do things today that will still bear fruit 60 years from now.

How to build wealth plans
To build wealth efficiently and effectively, debt must be minimized and eliminated.

Our culture uses debt to quickly accumulate possessions. This is known as leveraging, this practice should only be used wisely and in proper situations.

• To build wealth efficiently and effectively, debt must be minimized and eliminated.
• Our culture uses debt to quickly accumulate possessions. This is known as leveraging, this practice should only be used wisely and in proper situations.
• Freedom from debt comes through self-control, and sometimes delayed gratification.
• Save more of what you earn, spend less for what you need, and use the rest to increase your wealth. Tax minimization, financial planning, risk management, investment, retirement planning and estate planning can be used to reach that goal.
• Have a generational plan that lasts for three generations.
• Give generational gifts.
• Make sure our goals are fulfilled in the next Generation.

David left Solomon material for the building of the tabernacle. Solomon did not have to fight just build. This resulted in an expected end of peace. The cures of lack and poverty must stop in this generation.

The Kingdom of God is from generation to generation.

Processing the Past - Part Four: Sins of the Fathers

Deut 17:14-18:1
When you come to the land which the LORD your God is giving you, and possess it and dwell in it, and say, 'I will set a king over me like all the nations that are around me,'15 you shall surely set a king over you whom the LORD your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.16 But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the LORD has said to you, 'You shall not return that way again.'17 Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.

18 "Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites.19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes,20 that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.

From the above it is important to note:

Must be God’s set man (Whom the lord chooses)
Must be able to relate to the people (You should not set a stranger over you)
No selfish motives (shall not multiply horses for himself)
Must have a vision for the future (nor cause the people to return to Egypt)
Must not serve Mammon (neither shall he greatly multiply silver or gold)
Must be competent in the scriptures (shall read the law all the days of his life)
Must govern the times according to the scriptures ( must not turn away from the commandments to the right or to the left)

The anointing of Saul’s generation was different from that of David.

Saul was anointed from the vial (1 Sam 10:1)
David from the horn of the oil (1 Sam 16-14) servant/warrior/leader

Saul lacked responsibility; he hid at his coronation (1 Sam 10 20-23)
Saul was impatient: when Saul finished performing the sacrifices, Samuel came (1Sam 13:8-13)
Saul lacked preparation: (1 Samuel 13:19-23)
Saul was rebellious, stubborn and disobedient (1 Sam 15-23)
Behold to obey is better than sacrifice and to heed that the fat of rams
For rebellion is as the sin as witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry

Saul did not understand spiritual Ware fare (1Samuel 17:31-41) put his amour on David

Saul majored in the minor:
Used more time and resources trying to kill David that he did the philistine
Always trying to kill what God has anointed (David and 85 priest of the Lord)

Saul practices witchcraft: The witch of Endor (1 Sam 28)

Result of Saul sins on the first Generation

Saul aborted the destiny of the first and second generation.

1 Sam 31:2
Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons.


First Generation of Saul: Jonathan
Wise son
Warrior son
Was always in divine alignment
Faithful
Loved the lord
Was in favor with God and man

Saul put his sons in a bad situation because of his choices.
The enemy wants to create generational gaps.


Second Generation of Saul: Mephibosheth
Dropped on the head
Dropped because of ignorance
The second generation of Saul was crippled
Lived in Lo Debar (poverty stricken)
Disinherited
House of Amiel (being cared for)



1 Sam 9-7
David said to him do not dear, for I will surely show you mercy for Jonathan your father’ sake and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather and you shall eat at my table continually.

Processing the Past - Part Three: Ungodly Soul Ties

Exodus 8:25-28
Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God in the land." And Moses said, "It is not right to do so, for we would be sacrificing the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God. If we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, then will they not stone us? We will go three days' journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as He will command us."

So Pharaoh said, "I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Intercede for me."


Exodus 10:24-29
Then Pharaoh called to Moses and said, "Go, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be kept back. Let your little ones also go with you."


A soul-tie is a connection from one person’s soul to another person’s soul.
Man is made up of three parts:
1. Body - A relation that is purely physical ( i.e. an ungodly sexual soul tie)
2. Spirit - Two friends who pray and seek the Lord together. They are now relating on a spiritual level, because they are inviting the Lord to be a part of their relationship.

Soul - Typically described as being made up of the mind, will and emotions.

Individuals develop soul-ties when they relate at the soul level.

The above relationships can take place with friends, church members, between siblings, parents and children and husband and wife.

Case Studies

A soul-tie between parents and their children: Sins of Eli

1 Samuel 2:22
Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

This is an instance of parental permissiveness and compromise. In so doing Eli aborted the destiny of his children. Unhealthy soul ties between parents and their children may also result in insemination, where parents plant ideas in their children or parents using their children as surrogates, when parents that use their children’s identity and credit.

Signs of unhealthy ties between Husband and wife:

· Feeling alone in a relationship (It is not good for man to be alone - Gen 2:18)
· One person is always right
· Co-dependency (woman at the well)
· Feeling like you are being pushed or pressured (have no opinion)
· Feeling a lack of respect for just being yourself
· Feeling that you always have to be the strong one in the family
· Lack of conflict resolution - It is just easier to sweep it under the rug
· Destructive relationship patterns (always fighting)
· Feel like you are being taken advantage of (the only one that is giving)

Unhealthy Church Relationships: Spirit of Korah

Numbers 16:8-14
Then Moses said to Korah, "Hear now, you sons of Levi: Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to serve them; and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking the priesthood also? Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the LORD. And what is Aaron that you complain against him?"
And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, but they said, "We will not come up! Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness that you should keep acting like a prince over us? Moreover you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up!"

Numbers 16:24-27
"Speak to the congregation, saying, 'Get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.'" Then Moses rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. And he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart now from the tents of these wicked men! Touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins." So they got away from around the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; and Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the door of their tents, with their wives, their sons, and their little children.

Signs of unhealthy ties within church relationships:
· See themselves as bigger than the ministry (it is a small thing)
· Does not understand kingdom priorities (it is a small things)
· Does not respect leadership; involves murmuring - a mumbled or private expression of discontent
· Stubborn and self-willed, cannot receive instructions (We will not go up)
· Minimizing the vision and direction of the ministry (It is a small thing that you led us out of Egypt.)
· Ridiculing leadership
· Buying into the ideologies, belief systems and philosophies of the enemy or the past. (you brought us out to kill us in the wilderness)
· Lack of understanding of apostolic covering (Who made you prince over us?)
· Rebellion
· Does not understand God’s timing (give us inheritance of field and vineyards)
· Small-minded Christians (would not leave their tents)


Numbers 26:10-11
And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah when that company died, when the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men; and they became a sign. Nevertheless the children of Korah did not die.


Psalms 46:1-3 (Sons of Korah)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.

Signs of unhealthy ties between relatives: Laban and Jacob

Gen 30:27-30
And Laban said to him, "Please stay; if I have found favor in your eyes, for I have learned by experience that the LORD has blessed me for your sake." Then he said, “Name me your wages, and I will give it."

So Jacob said to him, "You know how I have served you and how your livestock has been with me. For what you had before I came was little, and it has increased to a great amount; the LORD has blessed you since my coming. And now, when shall I also provide for my own house?"

Gen 31:36-42
Then Jacob was angry and rebuked Laban, and Jacob answered and said to Laban: "What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have so hotly pursued me? Although you have searched all my things, what part of your household things have you found? Set it here before my brethren and your brethren that they may judge between us both! These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried their young, and I have not eaten the rams of your flock. That which was torn by beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it. You required it from my hand, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. There I was! In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep departed from my eyes. Thus I have been in your house twenty years; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night."

System of abuse: Authority of custom (Leah instead of Rachel)
· Sent for a few days, spent 21 years (Prodigal tie)
· The tie was only about what Laban could get from Jacob (selfish)
· Laban had no plan for Jacob’s future

Conclusion:

Gen 32:25-28
Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks."

But he said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me!" So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob." And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."

Processing the Past - Part Two: Strongholds

2 Corinthians 10:3-6
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Why We Challenge Strongholds

Proverbs 21:22
A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the trusted stronghold.

Definition of stronghold:
An entrenched pattern of thought, an ideology, value or behavior that is contrary to the Word and will of God.
A mindset impregnated with philosophies, ideologies and belief systems that are accepted as unchangeable.

Paul enlists the word "stronghold" (KJV) to define the spiritual fortress wherein Satan and his legions hide and are protected. These fortresses exist in the thought-patterns and ideas that govern individuals and churches, as well as communities and nations.

What is the biblical meaning of this word "stronghold"

In the Old Testament, a stronghold was a fortified dwelling used as a means of protection from an enemy. We find that David hid from King Saul in wilderness strongholds at Horesh. [1 Samuel 23:14]

An ancient fortress or stronghold had a five-tower stronghold that created a strategic advantage.

It is the plan of the enemy to implement strongholds and maintain them by employing layers of defensive mechanisms such as shame, fear and pride.

Types of Strongholds
Control
Becoming passive
Living a secret life
Occult
Dreams
Torments - Great mental anguish, pester, harassed, torture, agitated, restless sleepless
Fear
Flesh
Walking according to the flesh
Driven by money
Driven by our appetite
Driven by our feelings
Self
Worthlessness
Inferiority
Negative self image
Self hate
Fear
Death
Abandonment
Fear of not been able to find love

Strongholds are only broken by Spirit-led strategies.

Case Studies:
Jericho
Egypt
Gideon
Jehoshaphat

Spirit-led Strategies in the New Testament

The renewed mind:
The battleground is the mind.
The location is ungodly beliefs.
The war is over arguments, theories, ideologies and philosophies that set themselves against the knowledge of God.
By the power of the Spirit we must bring every thought captive to the obedience of God.

Processing the Past- Part One

Exodus 8: 25-28
He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you."

God wants to set us free by bringing us out of bad situations and into healing. The ministry of Jesus Christ was designed to bring us out of the sins of the past and into a bright and prosperous future.

Israel’s experience in Egypt was a demonic system which is also a type of human past experiences. Consequences of this type of stronghold are as follows:
· Refusing to eat with the Hebrews- Egypt did not share information with Israel[Gen 43:32]
· Despising the prophetic anointing [Rev 11:8]
· Producing bastard sons - Pharaoh tried to sleep with Sarah
· Draining resources (slavery)
· Controlling the transfer of wealth (slavery)
· System of task masters (creates generational inferiority)
· Controlling diet - system of addiction
· System of internal strife (does not understand conflict resolution)
· Killing sons
· System of witchcraft
· System that does not produce leaders (Joseph’s bones)

Israel’s future in the land of promise was one of healing and prosperity.

Types of healing:
· Physical healing: a condition whereby the physical body, systems, and organs function flawlessly.
· Soul healing: dealing with inner turmoil and strife, having complete peace of mind
· Healing of the land: financial healing
· Healing their backsliding: restoration of relationships
· Healing the broken-hearted
· Healing of the waters: levels of anointing

Luke 4:18-20
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.

When our bad experiences of the past are not processed properly, they become hindrances and roadblocks to our future.

Examples of roadblocks one may experience are:
· Sins of the forefathers
· Generational curses and iniquities
· Demonic stronghold
· Soul ties
· Cultural and tradition stronghold
· Spirit wounds and hurts

Spirit hurts are wounds of the soul and spirit, often caused by betrayal. They are emotional scars that are not physical and cannot be seen. Past hurts rule many lives, they can stifle and shut us down completely.

These types of spiritual laceration cannot be measured. There is no mental, spiritual or emotional gauge. They are only dealt with when the following are manifested:
· Hate
· Fear
· Guilt
· Self-hate
· Revenge
· Abandonment
· Rejection
· Depression
· Frustrated
· Multiple personalities
· Suspended development
· Self-destructive behaviour

Things that hinder our deliverance:

Analytical thinking
· Rationalizing our short comings
· Always trying to stay in control

Demons try to empower our analytical thought processes
Demonic Blockage
· Unbelief
· Doubt
· Skepticism
· Demonic whispers
· Feeling of unworthiness
· Passivity

Denial
· Wearing a façade of having it all together
· “God does not want to heal me any way.”
· “I know what I am are doing”
· Turning your mind against the pastor

God’s intent is that we experience healing right now:

2 Chronicles 7:14-15
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Psalms 147:3
He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.

Exodus 15:26
I will not bring on you the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord that heals thee.