What is Poor?

I was recently watching a You Tube video about what poor is.  Homestead Tessie and her husband were disagreeing on the meaning.  She says poor is a state of mind - he says it is a reality.
What do you think?

I think it is a bit of both.  I like to think there is more to "poor" than money.  I have health, family, friends, a home, pets, clean water, food, nature to enjoy, blue skies to see, freedom (for now), I have a sense of peace and comfort.  I have ENOUGH.

I can also understand the reality of it.   If you are homeless, cold, or do not have food to fill yours or your families bellies - that is awful.  If you have to decide between eating or buying medications, that is awful.  There are many things that that shouldn't be in todays society.  But, they are a reality here and in other countries.  What we waste, would be heavenly blessings to people in third world countries.
There are many things that can happen in life to take away our finances and security.
Misfortune can take away security - but so can NOT having any kind of plan EVER!

I remember having NO extra money growing up.  Daddy worked 2 jobs much of our childhood, and Momma worked part time to make extra money.  They grew our food and preserved it.  Our clothes were made by hand.  Momma also took in laundry and sewing for other people.  Dad bartered with people, he hunted and fished.  We did whatever was necessary to survive.  We lived in the oldest house in the neighborhood.  I remember those things, but I remember the wonderful family get togethers, the special holidays, the pretty birthday cakes Mom made, and all the special times more than I remember being poor!

Many people live in poverty  today.  There are many who never rise above it, and there are others who are determined to rise above AND DO!  It can be done.
You can be monetarily poor and still be rich in spirit!!!!!!!

I remember when I worked in the building/home industry and hearing about the homes our workers went to.  They were in the elite neighborhoods and huge big new homes.  Even after living there for a few years, many were still void of furniture.  They had that ADDRESS that they thought made them look good.  They rented furniture for events.  That to me is a form of poor.  It has nothing to do with money - but that they would  value themselves by only material things.  Pitiful, sad, and poor of values.

I live in a very small home.  It is not a high end neighborhood at all.  It is very close to bad areas.  Stuff happens.  I don't have a model dream kitchen.  I don't have multiple bedrooms with baths to accompany them.  I don't have the newest and finest things (I am happy if you do).  BUT it is MINE!!!!!  It is cozy and comfortable and I love it.   I could live happily with even less.

I know there are people in this world that would think I am totally rich.  There are others that would think I live in the ghetto.  It is all a matter of perspective.  

You will always be rich to someone and you will always be poor to someone else.  

I am often criticized by some family, because I spend a chunk of change on all the animals both kitties and nature.  They say I should be saving that money.  FOR WHAT?  I understand we need to survive, but we also need to do what makes us happy.  Things could tank tomorrow and we can lose everything.  I can have all the money in the world, and I am still going to die and I am still only going to get a 6' deep piece of real estate in the end.  

I am not going to live beyond my means at all - but I do want to be happy and use what I have.  I can't take it with me!!!!!!

If money were a guarantee to happiness, then all those idiots in Hollywood would be over the moon happy all the time.  Life would be perfect.  We all know IT ISN'T!!!!!!!

I hope that we each are thankful for what we have - no matter what the situation is.  I think a positive attitude is appreciation for what we DO have.  We may not have total control over our socio-economic  place on earth, but we have complete control over our attitude.

I think "what is poor?" is a loaded and maybe complicated question to many.  I am curious as to what others think.

As for me - I am rich in the Lord and the treasures promised in heaven.

If I have that - I am good.