1. What it Means to Have an Inner Poverty Before God
Living System Ministry
Embracing our Poverty
What it Means to Have an Inner Poverty Before God
© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center

2. Western mental models We believe we can solve problems using:
What does it mean to “embrace our poverty”?
***The answer to this question will teach us what it means to have an inner poverty before God.***
As Western Christians, our knee-jerk reaction is to use our worldly riches to try to solve problems. Many of us have leaned heavily on our abilities and our resources. When we do, we develop a mental picture of ourselves as educated, rich, influential, well-resourced, and as people who do good things. This kind of mental model can get us into trouble.
Related Teaching point: Mental models Mental models are inner assumptions that tell how to take action.
Imperfect mental models can cause us to take actions that will be ineffective for the kingdom of God. 
© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center 2

3. Imperfect mental models
Regardless of whether or not we are rich, educated or have many resources, because of our fallen nature, we all have imperfect mental models that tell us what to do. These mental models can deceive us in our ministry activities and cause us to take actions that will be ineffective for the kingdom of God.
© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center 3

4. The entry point to fruitfulness
The Bible informs us of a better mental model of who we are. As the Church, we need to repent of our self-sufficiency and instead rely on the indwelling Spirit of God. It is not wealth, righteousness, perfection, or wisdom that brings us to Jesus. It is only when we admit our sin and need of Christ that we can participate fully in life with Jesus. Acknowledging our fallenness is the entry point to life with Christ. In the same way, embracing our inner poverty is the entry point to fruitful ministry in God’s Kingdom.
© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center 4

5. Embracing our poverty To embrace our poverty means to accept our
limitations and recognize our natural weakness.
To embrace our poverty means to accept our limitations and recognize our natural weakness.
This does not mean that the rich should become poor or that the poor should stay poor. God is not opposed to the rich. The Bible demonstrates that God wants to work through the rich. But we who are rich in this world have to find an inner poverty in which to work in harmony with God.
DISCUSSION QUESTION: What does it mean that embracing our inner poverty is the entry point to fruitful ministry? (stop, think, and discuss).
© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center 5

6. Change in our attitudes and actions
Having an inner poverty drives us to:
Embracing our poverty changes our attitudes and actions.
We approach ministry with humility and dependence upon God. We do not allow our riches, knowledge, and technology to become our vantage point, safety or confidence. Having an inner poverty drives us to:
Ask questions – we acknowledge that we don’t know everything about living systems (that’s impossible!), we use applied research and ask system questions so that we can learn more
© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center 6

7. Change in our attitudes and actions
Relate well to others – we are not better than others because of our background or resources, nor do we come with all the solutions, but we humbly partner with others as fellow seekers and work together for his kingdom
© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center 7

8. Change in our attitudes and actions
Expect unintended negative returns – because we live in a fallen world, we know that we can be counterproductive
© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center 8

9. Change in our attitudes and actions
Embrace the complexity of living systems – we learn to work in tune with the natural forces of God’s living system design
© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center 9

10. So… What does it mean to embrace our poverty?
The participants should now be able to answer this question.
KEY TEACHING POINTS:
1. To embrace our poverty means to accept our limitations and recognize our natural weakness
2. When we embrace our poverty, we begin to rely on God and his Spirit instead of our own wisdom, resources, and technology
3. Embracing our poverty drives us to:
Ask questions
Relate well to others
Expect unintended negative returns
Embrace the complexity of living systems
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