Poverty is the result of spiritual warfare which of course takes place in the mind. You are poor because the enemy deceives you to focus on lack instead of abundance just like he did with Adam. God is abundance. (Gen. 2:16-17)
Today, by God’s grace, we are going to destroy that poverty mindset. The victory you seek starts with developing the right attitude.
Text: Genesis 2:15
“Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.”
Supporting Texts:
Proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:
Philippians 2:5 AMP, “Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility],”
Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) where you are going.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10 AMP
Proverbs 22:29 “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men.”
Proverbs 22:29 KJV
“Observe people who are good at their work— skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don’t take a backseat to anyone.”
Proverbs 22:29 MSG
Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Galatians 6:9 KJV
INTRODUCTION
Beloved, this morning, I bring you a message titled “The Right Attitude: The Key to Success and Breakthrough.”
Outline:
1. What is Attitude
2. God’s Original Design for Man – A Command to Work
3. The Power of the right Attitude
4. Elements of The Right Attitude
5. The Right Attitude Brings Breakthrough
Everywhere you turn today, people are searching for success — in business, in ministry, in relationships, in their careers. Yet many forget that success is not first a matter of skill, but of attitude.
You can have talent without the right attitude and go nowhere. But with the right attitude — of faith, humility, diligence, and resilience — you can rise from obscurity to glory.
Someone once said:
“Your attitude, not your aptitude (natural ability to do something) determines your altitude.”
The Bible agrees. Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
Your life moves in the direction of your dominant thoughts and attitudes.
Let’s start by asking: What is attitude?
1. WHAT IS ATTITUDE
Dictionary meaning: a settled way of thinking or feeling about something, which now elicits a particular behavior.
It always starts with a thought. A popular quote by Charles Reed: Le
Sow a thought, you reap an act, sow an act you reap an habit, sow a habit you reap character, sow a character, you reap a destiny
THE BIBLICAL DEFINITION:
Attitude is the inward mindset that shapes outward behaviour. It is the posture of the heart before God and before life’s challenges (how the heart sees God, and consequently life’s challenges)
In the Bible, attitude is not about pretending to be happy — it’s about having the right heart before God.
1 Samuel 16:7 says, “For the LORD does not see as man sees; man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
A right attitude flows from a right heart.
It means trusting God even when life doesn’t make sense; it means working hard even when no one is watching; it means staying thankful even when results are delayed.
2. GOD’S ORIGINAL DESIGN FOR MAN — A COMMAND TO WORK
In Genesis 2:15, “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.”
Before sin entered the world, God already gave man work.
Work was not punishment — it was purpose.
God’s design for success starts with responsibility and diligence.
God never blesses laziness. He blesses labour.
He said in Deuteronomy 28:12, “I will bless the work of your hands.”
Sometimes, winning the lottery is not a breakthrough that lasts. William “Bud” Post won $16.2 million (N24.3bn) in the Pennsylvania lottery in 1988, but he was $1 million in debt within a year.
“I wish it never happened,” Post said. “It was totally a nightmare.”
If there is no work in your hands, there is nothing for God to bless.
The right attitude toward work is not complaint but commitment.
Illustration 1 — The Farmer and the Field
A farmer once prayed for God to bless his field. He prayed and fasted but did nothing about the weeds taking over.
One day, an angel appeared and said, “Son, I came to bless your field, but you have given me nothing to bless.”
Beloved, even heaven cannot multiply an empty field.
God multiplies effort — not excuses.
3. THE POWER OF THE RIGHT ATTITUDE
The right attitude can turn your wilderness into a garden, your prison into a palace, and your trial into testimony.
Let’s look at some biblical examples.
(a) Joseph — Genesis 37, 39–41
Joseph was betrayed, sold into slavery, and imprisoned unjustly.
He could have complained, become bitter, or lost faith — but he maintained a right attitude.
Even in prison, he served faithfully. And the Bible says, “The LORD was with Joseph, and He made everything he did to prosper.”
Lesson:
You may not control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond.
Joseph’s positive, God-centered attitude turned adversity into advancement.
(b) Daniel — Daniel 6
In a foreign land, surrounded by corruption, Daniel distinguished himself with an excellent spirit.
He did his work so well that even his enemies could find no fault in him, and most importantly he stayed faithful to his God by refusing to serve foreign gods. His God stood by him by shutting the mouths of the lions when Daniel was thrown into the lions den.
Lesson:
The right attitude is spiritual excellence in motion.
It is doing your best even when no one applauds you — because you are doing it unto the Lord.
(c) The Israelites — Numbers 14:1–4
When faced with the Promised Land, ten of the twelve spies returned with fear and negativity.
Their wrong attitude — of unbelief and complaint — made them wander for forty years.
But Caleb had a different spirit. God said, “Because he has a different attitude and follows Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land.” – Numbers 14:24
The lion is king of the animal kingdom because of its majestic appearance (kingly in look), and it’s attitude, not because of its strength or size (the tiger is bigger (284 kg against 181kg), not because of its brain power (the elephant is far more intelligent).
Lesson:
A wrong attitude can make you lose your inheritance; a right attitude secures your inheritance.
“And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.”
Joshua 14:13-14 KJV
4. ELEMENTS OF THE RIGHT ATTITUDE
Let’s examine what makes up the right attitude biblically:
(1) Faith in God’s Promises
Hebrews 11:6 — “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”
The faith I speak of here, is beyond belief.
Belief is an intellectual acceptance that something is true, while faith is a deeper, active trust that often involves action and commitment, even in the face of doubt. You can have many beliefs without acting on them, but faith requires a commitment that translates beliefs into action and confidence.
When your attitude is built on faith, you see possibilities where others see problems.
Faith says, “God is able!” even when circumstances look impossible.
(2) Diligence and Hard Work
Diligence is the careful and persistent effort to achieve a goal, focusing on consistency and attention to detail, while hard work is the sheer effort and energy put into a task. Both are crucial for success, as diligence ensures thoroughness and perseverance, and hard work provides the necessary drive and intensity to overcome obstacles.
Proverbs 22:29 — “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings.”
Lazy faith is dead faith.
God lifts those who work with excellence, not those who wish with excuses.
(3) Resilience and Perseverance
the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.”
Sometimes success is simply refusing to give up.
Keep sowing, keep believing, keep pressing — your due season will come.
(4) Gratitude and Contentment
1 Thessalonians 5:18 — “In everything give thanks.”
Gratitude is not denial of reality; it is faith that God is working behind the scenes.
A grateful heart attracts divine increase.
(5) Humility and Teachability
Philippians 2:5 — “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
The attitude of Christ was humility and obedience.
He stooped to conquer. He obeyed to the end — and God highly exalted Him.
Illustration 2 — The Two Bricklayers
Two men were laying bricks at a construction site.
A passerby asked the first, “What are you doing?”
He said, “Can’t you see? I’m laying bricks.”
The second man was asked the same question.
He smiled and replied, “I’m building a cathedral for the glory of God.”
Both men were doing the same task, but their attitudes were worlds apart.
One saw duty; the other saw destiny.
Your attitude determines how God uses your effort.
5. THE RIGHT ATTITUDE BRINGS BREAKTHROUGH
Breakthroughs often come to those who keep the right attitude long after others have given up.
Caleb waited 45 years after God’s promise, yet he said at 85: “Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.”
Joshua 14:12 KJV
His faith and perseverance brought him into his inheritance.
And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.”
Joshua 14:13-14 KJV
Philippians 4:8 says:
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.”
The right mindset births the right miracles.
When your attitude aligns with heaven, your breakthrough becomes inevitable.
6. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
• Check your heart posture daily before God.
• Replace complaints with thanksgiving.
• Approach your work, business, and ministry with joy and diligence.
• Be resilient when facing challenges.
• Surround yourself with people who carry positive, faith-filled attitudes.
7. CONCLUSION
Success and breakthrough are not accidents.
They are outcomes of the right attitude under God’s grace.
When you keep the right attitude — in faith, diligence, humility, and gratitude — God takes care of results.
Say with me:
“Lord, change my attitude before You change my situation.”
Philippians 2:5 — “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
The Alter Call
CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for Your Word today.
Teach us to cultivate the right attitude — of faith, of diligence, of gratitude, and humility.
Forgive us where we have complained, doubted, or given up too soon.
Renew our minds, Lord.
Give us the spirit of excellence like Daniel, the resilience of Joseph, and the faith of Caleb.
Help us to work faithfully in whatever garden You have planted us, until our breakthrough comes.
And when success arrives, keep us humble and thankful, giving You all the glory.
In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen.