Why do so many Christians think it is "Godly" to be poor?

I had an interesting talk with a young lady recently.  She was a student majoring in Social Work but she was switching her major to business.  I jokingly said "What? Decided you didn't want to be poor your whole life?".

She immediately went to great lengths to assure me that she had no concern for money what so ever.  She wanted to go work in the mission field and she had no regard for money at all.  There was this undertone of piety in her "poorness".

I've run into this before and it always leaves me wondering if the person ever read Scriptures like the ones below?

2 Corinthians 9:6-8(NKJV)

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 

Now I think many would agree that going to the mission field is a "good work".  Instead of piously assuming the mantlehood of poorness in the mission field why not stand on God's promises instead? 

After all, who is going to be able to do more good for God on the mission field?  Someone who is poor as a church mouse or someone whole can actually get things done and has the resources to change people's lives for the better?