Poverty

Israel was in chaos. They lived under the tyranny of Rome. The Jewish people were taxed into poverty. They desperately needed peace. Some thought that peace would come through a military general. Others wanted a political leader to overthrow the Roman government from the inside.

Laziness produces poverty—in all areas of life. It keeps us from being all God intended us to be, whether at home, work, or worship. Laziness is a lack of discipline that will keep us out of shape physically and spiritually. Poverty, in all forms, will come upon us “like a robber” and steal the blessings of God.