Painting by my wonderful friend, and once love of my life... John. The original work is in the Aladdin Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada.
In the midst of the economic recession, it seems that Satan has blinded our eyes to God's abundance. While we live in the land of plenty, he has given many a mentality of poverty. Satan wants us to see the hungry faces of third world nations and forget about the fact that trillions of dollar worth of minerals and precious materials will be extracted from the earth in the next few years. The problem, as I see it, is not the resources but, rather, the distribution.
Why does Satan want us to believe we live in a world of scarcity? Probably because he does not want the church to invest in a mission of global evangelism that will escort back the King of Kings.
Whether the world believes it or not, I serve a God who promises He will supply all my needs and who continues to release His abundance in my life everyday.
I. Opening The Floodgates
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10
II. Praying And Giving
As Christians, we need to stop being timid with our requests to the Lord. The giver of all gifts says, "Ask and it shall be given you." Matthew 7:7
The world has come to the conclusion that the only way to become financially prosperous is to lie, cheat and steal. The Lord has another plan.
Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over. Luke 6:38
It is time for God's people to say, "Satan you didn't give it to me; and you're not going to take it away. I am the apple of God's eye. I am righteous of God in Christ. Jesus shed His blood for me, and my God created more than enough for all of us!"
III. Jesus, Who Was Rich, Became Poor So Those Who Are Poor Could Become Rich
...For ye know the grace if our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9
Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go Isaiah 48:17
And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper. II Chronicles 26:5
And he said unto me, The Lord, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my fathers house. Genesis 24:40
IV. Riches Must Not Be Our Priority
If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures Job 36:11
And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground and in the land which the Lord swore unto thy fathers to give thee Deuteronomy 28:11
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
V. Obedience Is The Key
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. Isaiah 1:19
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:31,32
VI. The Purpose Of Divine Prosperity Is To Build The Kingdom
Then answered I them, and said unto them, the God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build; but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem. Nehemiah 2:20
The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. Proverbs 22:9
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children; and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Proverbs 13:22
VII. The Gospel To The Poor Is That You Do Not Have To Be Poor Anymore
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Psalm 68:19
Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. Wealth and riches shall be in his house; and his righteousness endureth for ever. Psalm 112:1,3
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and will fill their treasures. Proverbs 8:21
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:2
Clarification: I am not, nor have I ever been a follower of the 'prosperity' theory, as I feel there are many, many more facets of the gospel which hold life-sustaining substance. I do believe, however, that when we align our lives with the Word, prosperity--physically, spiritually, and financially--is part of the big benefit package He wishes to bless us with. I believe that in order to bless, I must be blessed, and for that, I rely on His grace, mercy and abundance daily.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment