How can one respond to parents who reject any suitor who is not wealthy, citing the verse: {Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world}, while my criteria are religiosity, character, and compatibility?

You were right in considering religion and character as the foundation for choosing spouses, and your family erred by rejecting the committed suitor due to his poverty. The verse in Surah Al-Imran indicates that wealth is an adornment of life, not an encouragement to pursue it, while Islamic law encourages choosing religion and character in marriage. Your family's statement that your words are ineffective in this era is incorrect, as the era does not affect Sharia rulings. You should supplicate and seek intercession from someone who can convince your family, otherwise, refer your matter to the Sharia court, which will marry you off if your guardian's obstruction is proven.