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Is Poverty Listed in Scripture as a Blessing or a Curse? Question 6.

Writer's picture: Bradley SliedrechtBradley Sliedrecht

Jonathan Shuttlesworth, in his book and YouTube blog 35 Questions for Those Who Hate the Prosperity Gospel, asks:


“Is poverty listed in Scripture as a blessing or a curse?”

Citing Deuteronomy 28:15, 38-40, and 48, he claims:


“Poverty is clearly named in the Bible as a curse,”

and asserts that this chapter distinguishes what comes from God and what results from disobedience. Shuttlesworth argues that Christians must thoroughly understand the blessings and curses outlined in Scripture, rather than relying on “religious doctrine repeated by others.”


This blog will carefully examine his argument using sound hermeneutics and biblical interpretation. It will address his claims, evaluate the nuances of the biblical message on poverty and prosperity, and consider how socioeconomic realities challenge the universality of prosperity theology.


1. Poverty in Deuteronomy 28: Blessing or Curse?


Historical and Covenant Context

Deuteronomy 28 outlines the blessings and curses tied to Israel’s obedience or

disobedience to the Mosaic Law. Shuttlesworth references:


  • Deuteronomy 28:15: “However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you.”


  • Deuteronomy 28:38-40: “You will sow much seed in the field but you will harvest little, because locusts will devour it. You will plant vineyards and cultivate them but you will not drink the wine or gather the grapes, because worms will eat them. You will have olive trees throughout your country but you will not use the oil, because the olives will drop off.”


  • Deuteronomy 28:48: “Therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the Lord sends against you.”


These passages describe poverty, famine, and oppression as consequences of Israel breaking their covenant with God. However, it is crucial to recognize that these curses are specific to the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, reflecting the blessings or consequences tied to their unique role in redemptive history.


Literary Context

The curses of Deuteronomy 28 emphasize the holistic impact of covenant disobedience—spiritual, economic, and national. Poverty is presented as part of a broader narrative of exile, subjugation, and divine discipline. The chapter is not a universal declaration that all poverty results from individual sin or divine punishment.


2. The Broader Biblical Perspective on Poverty


Poverty in the Old Testament

While poverty is portrayed as a curse in Deuteronomy 28, the Old Testament also emphasizes God’s care for the poor and His command to protect them.


  • Proverbs 19:17: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”


  • Isaiah 58:10-11: “If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”


Poverty is not always linked to disobedience but is often a consequence of systemic injustice, oppression, or the fallen state of the world.


Poverty in the New Testament

The New Testament shifts the focus from material conditions to spiritual realities. Jesus identifies with the poor, proclaiming good news to them (Luke 4:18) and teaching that poverty is not a mark of divine disfavor.


  • James 2:5: “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?”


3. Socioeconomic Realities and Prosperity Theology


Economic Stratification in Biblical Times

In both the Old and New Testaments, society was structured with landowners, workers, and slaves. Not all Israelites experienced the wealth described in Deuteronomy 28, even during periods of national obedience. Similarly, the early Christian community included believers from diverse economic backgrounds, many of whom were poor.


Modern Socioeconomic Challenges

Prosperity theology often fails to address the systemic barriers that many face. Economic stratification, limited opportunities, and oppressive systems mean that financial prosperity is not equally accessible to all. A theology that equates poverty with disobedience risks alienating those who faithfully serve God despite their economic struggles.


4. A Biblical Definition of Prosperity

True prosperity begins with peace with God, as described in Romans 5:1:


“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”


Biblical prosperity encompasses spiritual wholeness, contentment, and the ability to fulfill God’s purposes. While financial provision may be a part of God’s blessings, it is never the ultimate goal.


Key Biblical Principles:
  • Spiritual Priority: 3 John 2 connects physical well-being with spiritual prosperity, emphasizing the primacy of the soul’s health.

  • Generosity and Stewardship: Prosperity is meant to bless others (2 Cor. 9:6-11).

  • God’s Provision: Philippians 4:19 assures that God meets needs, but this is not a promise of unlimited wealth.


5. Addressing Shuttlesworth’s Claims


Shuttlesworth rightly emphasizes the importance of letting Scripture guide beliefs about prosperity. However, his argument oversimplifies the relationship between poverty, curses, and divine favor.


  • Deuteronomy 28 must be interpreted within its historical and covenantal context, not applied universally to all poverty.

  • The Bible consistently calls for compassion toward the poor, rejecting the notion that poverty is inherently sinful or a sign of divine disfavor.

  • Prosperity theology must account for socioeconomic realities and the New Testament’s emphasis on spiritual riches over material wealth.


Conclusion: Is Poverty a Blessing or a Curse?

Poverty is depicted as a curse within the covenantal framework of Deuteronomy 28, but the broader biblical narrative presents a more nuanced view. Poverty can result from systemic injustice, life circumstances, or divine purposes unrelated to sin.


True prosperity is rooted in peace with God, marked by spiritual transformation and the ability to glorify Him. Christians are called to respond to poverty with compassion, generosity, and faithfulness, trusting that God’s provision transcends material wealth.


Author: Evg. Bradley Sliedrecht BCL, M.Div. ✝️📖✨

(PhD Student)

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