Spiritual Gift: Voluntary Poverty

WHAT IS The Gift of VOLUNTARY POVERTY?

The gift of voluntary poverty is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to renounce material comfort and luxury and adopt a personal lifestyle equivalent to those living at the poverty level in a given society in order to serve God more effectively.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES FOR this Gift

Tap each verse to read it. Unless otherwise noted, all scriptures are in the English Standard Version.

ACTS 2:44-45

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. ⁴⁵And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

ACTS 4:34-37

There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold ³⁵and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. ³⁶Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, ³⁷sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

1 CORINTHIANS 13:3

If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

2 CORINTHIANS 6:10

as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

2 CORINTHIANS 8:9

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

IN THE GREEK

PSOMIZO

Strong's Number: 5595
To feed with crumbs or morsels; to give a thing to feed someone.

SUGGESTED POTENTIAL STRENGTHS & CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS GIFT

Will purposely live below their means in order to give to others in need or the needs of the ministry.
Quick to recognize and meet the material needs of others.
Readiness to give regularly (2 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2).
Willing to give in faith what they had reserved for their personal needs (Mark 12:41-44).
Treats people of all socioeconomic backgrounds with dignity and respect.
Experiences great unease at the idea of others going without basic necessities.
Finds joy in simplistic living.
Content to rely on God to meet their material needs.

SUGGESTED POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES & WARNINGS OF THIS GIFT

Condescending towards others who do not share their lifestyle; may think other believers "uncommitted."
May struggle with others viewing this openhanded gift as fiscal irresponsibility.
Mistakes joblessness or “drifting through life” for this gifting; calls involuntary poverty voluntary for spiritual attention.
Tendency to draw attention towards their sacrificial living.
Gives to the point of loss of family’s or children’s needs.
May begin to experience bitterness at repeatedly giving until it hurts.

SUGGESTED WAYS TO SERVE BASED ON THIS GIFT

Community Ministries
Prayer Group Member
Missions Work
Relief Agencies
Discipleship

Small Group Leader
Evangelism Team Member
Compassion Ministries
Mentoring/Sponsorship
Prison/Jail Visitation

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