According to the World Bank, a person can be said to be living in extreme poverty, if they live below the poverty line of $1.90 or N693.5 per day.
As of February 17 2019, about 589.176 million people, representing 8% of the world population live in extreme poverty. The current escape rate is put at 0.8 people/second while the target is 1.6 people/second. Currently in the world: extreme poverty is on the rise in 16 countries; by 2030, 16 countries would have erased extreme poverty; extreme poverty is declining in 44 countries but not fast enough to wipe it out entirely by 2030; and 111 countries have been able to eradicate extreme poverty. (World Poverty Clock)
Why the rigor of these statistics? It is to drive home how that poverty is seriously ravaging lives.
In the midst of these alarming figures on poverty, there is another side to poverty which I will like to highlight. Journey with me as I elucidate on it through an illustration.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor…” Luke 4:18
Once upon a time,
There lived a man who was so wealthy,
He had all he ever wanted and enough to spare to a lot of people
He could travel to wherever he wanted
He was that rich
However, there was something he lacked
Alas, he was such a very poor man
Once upon a time,
There a lived a man who begged on the streets for money
He had nothing, not even a possession to his name
He begged for his daily bread from people
He was that poor
However, he had one priceless possession of great value
Alas, he was such a very rich man
Once upon a time,
There lived a man who was so wealthy
He had all he ever wanted, and enough to spare to others
He was that rich
In addition, he had one priceless possession of great value
Alas, he was such a very rich man.
Once upon a time,
There lived a man who was so poor
He had nothing, not even a possession to his name
He was that poor
In addition, he lacked one priceless possession of great value
Alas, he was such a very poor man
“… A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15), “for what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)
In the above illustration, the possession of great value which some had and some didn’t have, is ETERNAL LIFE, which comes from Faith in Jesus Christ.
The Poor man is s/he that is destitute of the Gospel and the life that comes forth from it and not one who lacks money or financial resources. Thus, in the real sense of it, one could be highly placed in the society yet be poor because he lacks the life of God that is received through Christ Jesus.
No matter your placement in the society, whether below the poverty line outlined by World Bank or slightly above or far above it; I’ll like to bring to your notice that you have not escaped the poverty level if you are yet to receive the life of Christ Jesus through faith in His Name.
Thus, the real poverty is the poverty of the soul. Therefore, the real determinant of your wealth is if you have the life of God in you, for it is something worth more than gold.
Which kind of man are you in the above illustration and/or which do you want to be?
Today is indeed your day of salvation, do not harden your heart and do not postpone it. Welcome Christ into your life. Confess your sins to Him, He is ready to forgive you. Believe in your heart that He died for you and confess Him as your Lord and Savior.
NB: If you just made this decision, I congratulate you for crossing over the poverty line and entering into abundant life.
Stay Blessed!!!
Charisbeth 