*1.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

O how I love Thee well,

I am happy, it makes me glad

To rejoice at Thy birth.

*2.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

Thy friend friendship suits me well,

Both young and will sing Thy song,

We long for Sunday School.

*3.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

Christ was Thy first teacher,

The Holy Spirit, great teacher,

Does manifest in thee.

*4.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

This testimony is sure,

That God, the Father Almighty,

Poured His blessing on Thee

*5.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

Though the sun be so bright,

Or if the clouds be black with rain,

I’ll be in Sunday School.

*6.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day

I rejoice to see Thee,

Will thou pass over me today?

Without my being blest?

9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

INTRODUCTION: Generally, poverty can be described as a state of being extremely poor. Poverty can take different forms: mental, spiritual, material or financial. In the context of material/financial possessions, poverty is said to exist when people lack the means to satisfy their basic needs. Scriptures clearly state that even brethren of the poor hate him (Proverbs 19:7) and that poverty can destroy the poor (Proverbs 10:15). What then causes poverty and how can a believer break free from it?

A. In the above text, the writer raised two fundamental questions:

i. What are those thing which the sluggard should do?

i. ………………………………V9a

ii. ………………………………V9b

B. He went further to highlight the inaction of the sluggard and the consequences respectively

i. …………………………..V10

ii. …………………………..V11

i. The teacher should ask the students to mention the forms of poverty they are aware of.

ii. The teacher should classify and raise discussions on poverty as outlined below and allow the students to make contributions accordingly.

1. Personal attitude which includes:

a. Laziness/Idleness. (Proverbs 10:4;19:15).

b. Poor work ethics. (Proverbs 14:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:10).

c. Lack of self discipline. (Proverbs 12:27).

d. Stubbornness. (Proverbs 13:18).

e. Drunkenness and gluttony (Prov. 24:21)

f. Worldliness and frivolous persuits. (Proverbs 21:17;28:19).

g. Limitation mentality. (Proverbs 23:7a).

h. Natural disasters (famine, floods, droughts etc.) *Genesis 12:10*

i. Health challenges (Mark 5:25-26).

j. Fire outbreaks. (Job 1:16).

k. Death of a benefactor. (2Samuel 4:4).

2. Oppression of others: Examples of oppression that can cause poverty include:

a. Delayed wages (Leviticus 19:13; 1Timothy 5:18).

b. Exorbitant interest rates on loans. (Exodus 22:25).

3. Spiritual causes of poverty include:

a. Repercussion of sin (Deuteronomy 28:15-21).

b. Wrong spiritual concept as some believers equate poverty to holiness.

A. To break free from the yoke of poverty, you need to:

1. Discover your purpose for living and diligently pursue it. (2 Peter 1:10; Proverbs 22:29).

2. Father sufficient information on how to improve yourself in your chosen career, vocation or trade. (Proverbs 18:15; 24:4).

3. Be intentional about creating multiple streams of income (Ecclesiastes 11:2).

4. Find a problem around you that you can solve that will earn you good money. Acquire additional skill: re-skill and up-skill. (Proverbs 9:9)

5. Believe in yourself and have the ‘i can’t attitude. (Phil 4:13).

B. Essentially, breaking free from poverty requires giving (Prov. 11:24)

i. Pay your tithes and offerings. (Malachi 3:10-12)

ii. First fruit Proverbs 3:9-10).

iii. Give to the less privileged.

iv. Pray and study the word of God to know His perfect will for you in all your life endeavors (Psalm 37:23).

v. Stop living on debt, borrow only to invest (Proverbs 22:7).