Which Comes First: A Theological “Chicken or the Egg” Discussion

The physical poverty for mankind in the world exists because of the spiritual poverty in the heart of man.

For many believers, there has been an unwitting tragic and dangerous (a priori) exchange of priorities – deemphasizing of the Jesus who died for the SPIRITUAL poverty of mankind – to the excessive emphasis of the Jesus who commanded us to die to ourselves and address the PHYSICAL poverty of the world.

 Addressing SPIRITUAL poverty without addressing PHYSICAL poverty lacks AUTHENTICITY.

 Addressing PHYSICAL poverty without first addressing SPIRITUAL poverty is HUMANISM.

Addressing PHYSICAL poverty subordinately within the overall context of SPIRITUAL poverty is ORTHODOXY.

A. The GOSPEL is that Jesus came to save and restore mankind by offering Himself as a substitutionary sacrifice for their sins.  This principle GIVES life.

B. The KINGDOM of GOD is the Holy Spirit driven process of using regenerated hearts in the believer to restore this physical world, like the heavenly world to come. This principle ENHANCES life

C. The GOSPEL and the KINGDOM OF GOD are not, nor should they ever be confused as synonymous…

Principle A causes B, but principle B cannot cause A.

Principle A is solely the work of Christ

Principle B is the faithful and obedient response of Man, because of Principle A.