POVERTY MENTALITY|10 Signs You Might Be Materialistic

You can take a villager to the city but you can’t easily take the village out of him without a change of mindset and experience. In the same way, a person’s economic and spiritual status can change but stay stuck in the thinking and habits of the past.

The pain of poverty lingers in the lives of people and controls their decisions without realizing it. That’s why you see politicians who pile bags of money in their houses, build mansions they don’t occupy in their village and drive expensive cars using taxpayers’ money. What are they trying to prove? All that and more is an effort to cover up the poverty they might have experienced while growing up.

Someone with a poverty mentality is not different from a materialistic person. They both think about money, riches and possessions most of the time at the expense of loving God and serving others. Usually, the poverty mentality makes someone materialistic and the materialistic person or their children often come to poverty because they’re not spiritually and mentally prepared to handle money and manage business.

Therefore, poverty mentality or materialism is the state of focusing on and craving for earthly possessions rather than seeking God’s kingdom first and focusing on heavenly things.

As you’ll see shortly, some of us inherited the poverty mentality from our parents as we observed their habits and heard them talk about money. And the rest of it came from our experiences.

This mentality is neither for the poor nor the rich. Anyone can have it because it’s a way of thinking that shows up in the way we live daily.

10 Signs Of Poverty Mentality Or Materialism

#1: Unthankful & Discontent

People with this sign struggle to thank God during good and hard times. When times are good, they’re jolly and quick to testify but when times are hard, they hide, keep silent and complain. In such times, they forget to give thanks and rejoice in all circumstances. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

They’re not satisfied with what they have and constantly keep asking God for more like the two suckers of a leech. (Proverbs 30:15). Even when their basic needs are met, they still count themselves among the poor because they’ve not gained certain things because they measure success by the things they possess or achievements contrary to what Jesus taught. (Luke 12:15)

So, they worry too much about the unmet needs in their lives rather than trust Jesus who says,

“Don’t worry about tomorrow.” (Matthew 6:31-34).

Ironically, even the rich can be so anxious that they fail to sleep. (Ecclesiastes 5:12)

Because of ingratitude and desire for the bigger things to come, they rarely celebrate or reward themselves for little victories. Sometimes it’s good to celebrate little milestones even if with a glass of water.

#2: Selfish

Selfishness starts with self before it affects others. An ‘economical’ person can deny themselves basics like food, clothing and good medical care even when they can afford them because they don’t want to spend what they have now and be with nothing tomorrow. For instance, someone can be so hungry but refuse to buy a bite because it will be a waste of money. Because of denying themselves too much, they end up denying others as well.

The selfish mentality shows in our dealings with others. Whenever we get money, all priority is our needs and those of our families, yet we’re surrounded by needy people we can help. Also, the quantity of our giving matters as much as the quality of love we give it with.

I’ve also observed that some people can easily give to a cause or event especially when their names are announced but never give a tip to someone who has served them like a waiter or taxi conductor. Or they can’t give to a neighbour or stranger who has done nothing for them and who is incapable of paying back!

Selfish mentality asks, “How do I benefit from this giving?” rather than, “How can I use my talents, skills and gifts to solve practical problems or be a blessing?”

Selfish people pile stuff in their closets and houses they don’t need or rarely use. When buying stuff, they bargain too much to the annoyance of the seller because they don’t want to part with their money and make the seller richer. They’re too fearful of being cheated. I’m a culprit of this sometimes. Imagine bargaining for tomatoes in the market yet the person you’re buying from makes little from the sale.

People with a selfish mentality delay paying bills even when they have the money or repay debt in bits thinking an emergency will come and they won’t have money. So they rather incur penalties or higher interests.

Selfishness makes a person fear accountability to their spouse because it will force them to reveal how much they earn and disclose how they spend. Doing that will disorganize their plans so they rather hide their earnings even when it may not be in the best interests of their family. Because of this, some people die without disclosing secret accounts or possessions and strangers feast on benefits of their years of toil.

#3: Envy

Some Christians envy or have something against those who are rich or popular. They imagine the rich must have stolen or acquired their wealth from the devil or corrupt deals.

Other people are motivated to work hard to acquire things that will lift them to the same level as others who have them. They compare themselves with others regarding physical possessions, academic papers, position in society or company and level of popularity.

They showcase their wealth through the brand or latest labels of clothes, gadgets, cars or things they buy. Such things prove their worth and they love it when others praise them for their ‘nice’ possessions.

Many years ago, a friend told me she was frustrated that she didn’t drive when cars passed by when we were walking from a Sunday service. She hasn’t bought a car yet years later. Isn’t this a miserable way to live – craving and coveting for stuff God hasn’t give you?

If you have read the 10 Dangers of Desiring Riches Fast and First, please do.

A wise Christian enjoys whatever level in life they are because they’ve learnt to be content in little and in much. John the Baptist, the prophet who lived on locusts and honey, and dressed in skins said a person can only receive what God has given him. Let’s accept our lot in life. (John 3:27, Ecclesiastes 5:19)

Otherwise, greed and envy will drive us into a life we shall regret. Remember Ahab who killed Naboth to get his vineyard! People with this poverty mentality will lie, cheat, kill and gossip to get another person’s position or possessions.

#4: Mental Poverty

Whether you realize it or not, what you believe about money will determine the quality of your life here on earth and reward in heaven.

People with mental poverty make little or no investment in personal and professional growth. They’re mostly occupied with entertainment, celebrity news and social media. They think buying books, taking courses and attending seminars is a waste of time and money. So, they remain professionally and financially illiterate and stagnant.

They see no need to get mentorship from those who have succeeded. They think success in personal finance or business is luck or a special favour from God.

And rather than learn from the Bible or get a mentor or coach, a Christian would rather fast or go for deliverance services and expect God to bless them out of nowhere. But the truth is, the experiences of godly mentors (written down in books or teachings) can be helpful and those who learn from them save time and money.

We must cultivate our brains with the study of good books, watching educative documentaries and enjoying clean entertainment so they can be creative, sober and guarded against deception and lies.

How much have you read on godly financial management? If you’re involved in business, have you made research on how to start and run a successful business?

#5: Reliance on Donations

Some people depend on the government, family members or church to meet their financial needs. When those people fail to live up to their expectations, they blame and even hate them.

This also manifests in a desire to get free things or not pay the full amount something is worth. Abraham refused free things because he never wanted someone other than God to take credit for his riches or success. (Genesis 14:22-23) And King David refused to get a field for free to sacrifice to God. (2 Samuel 24:24)

For instance, someone can meet an author and ask for a copy of the book for free yet they can afford to buy it. They assume the other person has more than enough and therefore they don’t have to pay. Poverty mentality!

Another manifestation is borrowing money from someone richer and not paying them back because the borrower thinks the rich person doesn’t need back the little money they gave them. This also applies to borrowing stuff at the office or home and not returning them in time or returning them at all.

Other people love to associate with the rich who can be a door to deals or help but despise the poor. Some people will go to an extent of giving gifts or do anything possible to be friends with the rich. But God tells us to make friends and enjoy the company of ordinary people, too. (Romans 12:16) He warns us against giving gifts to the rich. (Proverbs 22:16)

Nowadays, young people in Africa think they can only make it abroad. I know the unemployment crisis pushes many to go work in outside countries. But Christians should first acknowledge God’s ability to provide and take care of them wherever He allows them to live.

In the middle of a great famine, “when Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the LORD blessed him.” (Genesis 26:12) The God we serve is the Blesser, Provider and Promoter.

The final sign of this mentality is when a Christian asks for financial assistance and becomes angry and offended when someone is unable to help. This shows an entitlement mentality that thinks or assumes someone owes them help. They don’t!

#7: Live on False Hope

People with this mentality daydream about winning the lottery, earning enormous sums or making that one deal that will solve all their financial problems.

They’re waiting for a miracle from God that will make them a millionaire or billionaire overnight. And they enjoy prophets who tell them the good things ahead, love to hear testimonies of miracle money and sometimes they ask God to do it for them, too.

If they are indebted, they take long to pay because they’re hoping God will clear their debts for them.

This false hope makes them myopic, and they live only in the moment and make no long-term plans for their families. They spend all they get and invest a little because something better is around the corner.

Even retirement is not in the picture yet a person is earning and growing older. They think living by faith is spending as they wish today and trusting God to provide for tomorrow.

We need to remember out identity as stewards and the be faithful in managing the resources God entrusts to us. Find more about this in the article Money Reveals True Self & Spiritual State|9 Resources You Must Steward.

#8: Compromise Values and Faith to Get Money

People with a poverty mentality are terrified and paralyzed by the thought of losing their money and becoming poor like they used to be.

They’ll do anything to keep their money to the extent of compromising their morals and Christian beliefs. They forge receipts, inflate prices and thrive on under the table kickbacks. They believe opportunities are limited and one has to take one at all cost before it flies away.

Though they claim to be Christians and may even serve in church, they’ve chosen to blend in with the rest of the people around them. They dare not go against the current.

They forget a person can only receive what God has given him, that promotion comes from God and when God opens a door nobody can shut it. (John 3:27, Psalm 75:6, Revelations 3:8)

Such people will exploit and take advantage of others whenever they get an opportunity. (Leviticus 25:14) But the Bible teaches us to think of other people’s interests, too. (Philippians 2:3-4)

We can pick inspiration from the lives of the four Hebrew boys who refused to defile themselves with the King’s food. After ten days of feeding on vegetables and water, they looked healthier than their peers.

Few years later, they refused to bow before the stature of the king when everyone present was compromised. They didn’t give in to the bullying and threats of the king. When they threw them in the furnace, God rescue them from the fire.

These young men knew their identity in God, as servants and ambassadors of God in a foreign land. Are you confident and secure in your identity in Christ? If you haven’t, please read the article WHO AM I? Know Your Identity In Christ & Reward As A Christian

You can stand your ground when everyone else is compromising.

#9: Victim Mentality

People with poverty mentality always feel like victims – of circumstances, upbringing or government actions! They complain about what others did to them rather than take action and find solutions for their problems.

They’re bitter, unforgiving and angry because of what people did to them or because of unexpected circumstances. This is a high-level kind of poverty because these negative emotions hurt the ones who harbour them and not the ones they’re directed to.

It’s a total waste of time to hate another person or become bitter because of what they did or didn’t do. Yes, people will hurt us but we must never let them control us or give them space in our minds for a long time. As the sun goes down, so goes our anger or unforgiveness toward any person. (Ephesians 4:26-27)

Why worry or be angry at circumstances you had no control over? Even when you make mistakes that cost you dearly, it’s important to forgive self, learn from the experiences and move on with life. Life is too short to wallow in anger, bitterness and anxiety.

#10: Overworking

Workaholism is a disorder for those with a poverty mentality. People who suffer from this disorder work long hours without rest. They’re motivated by fear of losing what they have achieved or wanting more and attaining something that will prove a point. Is that worth the negative consequences of overworking?

Never let work take first place before your relationship with God, family, brethren and your health. Never let money separate you from family, friends and relatives. People are more precious than possessions.

We need to develop a proper balance of growth in the four areas of life – the physical, mental, spiritual and social.

“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” (Proverbs 23:4-5)

In the next article, we discuss contentment. What is it? Why do many struggle to be content? And we shall look into the gain and 9 biblical reasons for contentment. .

Thank you for reading this article. I welcome your comments and questions – as iron sharpens iron, let’s sharpen each other.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

[1] Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Accessed December 2022.