People seem to forget that Jesus was a ‘trust-fund’ baby. When he was born kings came to visit and brought gifts. If you go a bit further back in the bible, you can see the types of gifts that kings gave to each other. Talk about extravagant! In our simple story of the birth of Jesus, we use 3 wise men with small gifts. In the end we don’t know the number or volume of the gifts. But we do know ‘Dad’ was taking care of Jesus’ family. Remember, Joseph had to take his family to Egypt to escape a tyrants rampage against his son.
And at the end of his life, the guards drew lots for the robe owned by Jesus because it was too valuable.
I do believe that poverty is a current lie of the enemy against the church - just as much of a lie as prosperity. Much of the prosperity message is so good - sowing seeds, being good stewards, curses being broken, being a financial blessing (the topic of this thread). The bible says that the wealth of the wicked is stored up for God’s people.
As usual, the truth lies somewhere between the mis-characterized representations each side gives to the other. Some err on the side of poverty, others on the side of wealth. Men like Dave Ramsey add wisdom to their faith, and none fault him. He is doing what a good pastor does - prepares/equips people for the work given to us.
“Remember, Joseph had to take his family to Egypt to escape a tyrants rampage against his son.”
Yes - God provides. I have thought that with no job, etc. when they fled, Joseph used those gifts to live on for awhile in Egypt. I wonder what the history of Egypt was like at that time. Did Joseph go to live with distant relatives? Other Jews? (I’m guessing one of those?)
Or did he flee and live among non-Jews, or even hiding out in the wilderness?