Poverty

Poverty according to Webster’s Dictionary~Poor
1) the condition or quality of being poor, indigence, need.

2) deficiency in necessary properties or desirable qualities. 3) smallest in amount, scarcity, paucity.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary~Ptocheia~destitution (akin to ptocheuo, poor) is used of the poverty which Christ voluntarily experienced on our behalf. Poor as a beggar, reduced to extreme

poverty.

The word ptocheuo suggests the bottom rung of poverty, a situation in which one is totally lacking in the world’s goods. Jesus was God of the Universe, and yet, “He became poor,” that is, He humbled Himself to come as a man to earth, where He was hated and killed on a cross. Through His poverty (Jesus’ self-giving) we were enabled to become joint heirs with Him.

(2 Corinthians 8:9)
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”

Of the destitute condition of saints in Judaea. (2 Corinthians 8:2)
“that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.

Of the condition of the church in Smyrna, where the word is used in a general sense. (Revelation 2:9)
“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich)….

Happiness is not having all you want. Happiness is wanting all you have.