The ancient isrealites were told by God, at Deuteronomy 15:4 in part which says
No one among you should become poor.
God gave the israelites laws that covers how to care for the poor, and to free their brothers or fellow isrealites from paying debts. He told them at Deuteronomy
Every creditor will release his neighbor from the debt he incured.He should not demand payment from his brother or neighbor
(Deuteronomy15:2)
Since God assured them of his blessings, poor persons should not have been found in the midst of the isrealites. Right?
However, they would receive such blessings from God if they strictly obeyed his voice and carefully observe all his commandments.
Does it then mean that anyone who was poor was unfavoured by God?
It doesnt mean that those who are poor materially were somehow unfavoured or rejected by God.
In ancient times, some of the servants of God had little materially.
For example at one time, prophet Elijah relied on a widow with little means when famine struck the land of isreal.The widow did not become rich neither did Elijah, but their basic need (food) was cared for by God. He made sure the widow's did not run out and her small jar of oil did not run dry.
U can read more about this in 1kings17:10-16.
Another example is that of Joseph.
Jesus earthly father Joseph was a humble carpenter with little financially.That is why on the day of jesus purification as required by the law,they could not offer a young ram, they offered two pigeons or turtle doves for the purification.(luke2:22-24).
Imagine, the earthly Father of our Lord Jesus Christ was materially poor. But would you say it was because God unfavoured or rejected his family? Of course not.
Natural disasters, illnesses, death and so on may put people in poor conditions and even prevent them from working. But it is not a sign of God's dissaproval or rejection.
The example of Ruth and Naomi shows that God cares for the needs of his servants. Ruth lost her husband and naomi lost her children but they never starved. They recieved help from God.
This brings to mind what the the bible says at Psalms 37:25
I was once young and now I am old, But I have not seen anyone righteous abandoned, Nor his children looking for bread.
So we can be sure that even if we don't have much materially, God will continue to sustain us if we remain chaste..
Conclusively, we have seen clearly from examples of faithful servants of God in the past such as Elijah, Joseph, Ruth and Naomi. These persons had little financially. However they still enjoyed God's blessings in a lot of ways. So my thoughts are that poverty is not a sign of God's disapproval.
But what do you think? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below