Ezekiel C. Melchisedec
Table of contents
1 what is godly riches
2. Worldly riches
3. Rich without power
4. Rich with power
5. Riches For the kingdom
6. Flying riches
7. Kingdom financier
8. The ministry of giving
9. Rich in good works
10. The love of money
11. Prodigal spending
12. Frugal spending
13. God makes rich
14. Rich toward God
15. The rich fool
16. The rich entering the kingdom
17. The rich who serve God
18. Forsaking all
19. Tithes and offering
20. Godly investment
21. Long life and riches
22. Riches For enjoyment
23. Pure gold for riches
24. Rich in the word
25. Treasures in heaven
26. Profit in eternity
27. Profit on earth
28. The blessings on earth
29. Godly talent for godly riches
30. The principle of working
31. The principle of saving
32. The principle of prayer
33. The principle of timing
34. Possessing all
35. Beware of covetousness
36. The rich wise
37. The answer of money
38. The principle of righteousness
39. Godly riches For godly vision
40. Seek first the kingdom
Introduction
This reading material is meant to educate the child of God on the subject of riches and for that matter godly riches. " Discovering Godly Riches " is a revelation given to me by the Holy spirit of God.
Thus ,the believer reading this material will discover the fact that God has made provision to bless his faithful children with godly riches. Godly riches teaches a humble approach to prosperity, wealth and riches in Christ. Throughout the bible we discover that God blessed his children with riches for a godly purpose and mission that will glorify God.
"The blessings of the Lord it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. " Proverbs 10:22 .God bless you as you read.
Chapter 1 : What Is Godly Riches. ?
" Wealth and Riches shall be in his house, and his righteousness endureth forever. " psalm 112:3
Godly riches are the blessings of the Lord that produces wealth in the life of the believer for the purpose of glorify God and using the wealth to do things that will honour the name of the Lord. Godly riches yield a life of righteousness in the life of the person who has it. Godly riches produces the fear of God in your heart like job, the richer you become, the more humble you are.
" There was a man in the land of Uz ,whose name was Job,and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. ..his substance also was seven thousand sheep ,also three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen ,and five hundred she asses, and a very great household, so that this man was the greatest of all the men in the east. " Job 1:1-3 Job was the richest of all the people in the east ,yet he was the most upright and righteous person in the sight of God.
This is because Job had godly riches, as a result, the holy spirit was working in his heart to produce the fear of God. Because this fear of God in him, Job shunned evil.,he hated evil and abhorred any thing that is sinful. If you have godly riches the spirit of the Lord will always be in your life and you will always yearn for a righteous life. The person who has godly riches do not do evil because of their money or riches. They are more godly in their daily decisions and especially the way they spend money.
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Those with godly riches are always bound to obey the word of God. Those with godly riches cannot sponsor evil works nor spend their money in sinful way .They don't use their money in a sinful way. They use their money for the purpose of serving God ; doing the work of God, they give to the needy and feed the hungry people. Godly riches are born out of the word of God and obedience. Those with godly riches are characterized by their righteous deeds and they are full of the word .
Those with godly riches are prayerful and givers, extremely committed to the service of God in the house of God. The more they give, the more they get more riches. (Luke 6:38)
Chapter 2 : Worldly Riches
" Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us riches all things to enjoy. " 1 Timothy 6:17
Worldly riches is the wealth that is born out of worldliness and sinful ways, the Worldly riches can have it's source from a dubious work such as "419" business, fraudulent jobs like Internet scam ,stealing, robbery, drug trafficking, lieing, cheating, killing, extortion etc .
Worldly riches are satanic, because the devil uses those riches to mastermind so much evil against a people who want to serve God. Those with Worldly riches seems to enjoy life and full of happiness ,but is a nine day wonder. Worldly riches promotes worldliness and sin, those with these kind of wealth are usually full of pride and worst of all they are not submissive to the word of God.
"Because thou sayest I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thy art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked. " Revelations 3:17 Those with Worldly riches usually assume I have it all mentality, so they will not seek God's face nor listen to the word of God. They use their money for all forms of sinful pleasures like, drinking, drug addiction, womanizing, parting, prostitution, idol worshipping, bribery etc.
Worldly riches is what Jesus described as deceptive, " He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word and the care of this world, and the deceitfully of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. " Matthew 13:22 They are deceitful in the sense that it makes you loose focus of God and the word of God. Instead all your focus is usually set on the money and the business you do to get the money.
Those with worldly riches do not like going to church nor listening to God's word. Those with Worldly riches have a perspective about money and riches that takes their mind and heart from God and the things of God. They are always too busy making money so they forget their creator. ( Ecclessiastics 12:1) and they have no time table for the service of God, instead they take delight in doing more evil for more money.
. of silver. " So the rich without power can loose their wealth or their life or both in an unexpected manner because God is not their defence.
Satan can set in their lives any time and create a mess ,that could render them bankrupt or indisposed. Those who pray are having power with God and God fights their battles and gives them victory over Satan ."These are the ungodly, who prosper in the world in the world ; they increase in riches in riches " Psalm 73:12 But because they do not seek the Lord, the Lord " set them in slippery places : thou casts them down into destruction. " Psalm 73: 18 " They are brought into desolation. " Psalm 73:19
Chapter 4 : Rich With Power
" Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion and to rejoice in his labour ; this is the gift of God. " Ecclessiastics 5:19
The gift of riches is given to people of God The power, and the power is that of wealth. The power to get and enjoy riches as the Lord has given to you. For instance God told the Israelite "!But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for it is he that giveth power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day. " Deuteronomy 8:18
The Lord gives us power to sustain our blessings, because there are evil forces that usually fight against human beings, especially against riches. The power is what fights against satanic forces that militate against our wealth Those with power to enjoy their riches usually do not labour in vain, but are given power to enjoy their labour. "!And they shall build houses and inhabit them .And they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build and another inhabit ,shall not plant and another eat : for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and my elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain ,nor bring forth for trouble, for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord ,and the heir offspring with them. " Isaiah 65:23
The power behind riches is for the building of houses or projects like Church auditorium, schools, universities, hospitals etc. Without this power demons or forces of darkness can hinder you from building any project. The power to eat of your vineyard is also given to you, so that no one will take over your enjoyment from your labour. At times people labour for riches yet they can be hindered from enjoying their wealth. The power God gives to his blessed children so that they enjoy the work of their hands. This power also gives you long life, so they will not die and live their wealth at a tender age ,this is power for long life.
Chapter 5: Riches For the kingdom
" And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked ,both riches and honour, so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. " 1 kings 3:13
King Solomon asked God for wisdom and understanding to judge and reign in the kingdom of Isreal, when God told him to ask for any thing he wants. God was pleased with this request and therefore God also decided to enrich him, because he was seeking the welfare of the kingdom of Isreal. God also saw the need to give him riches for the sustainable of the kingdom.
" And God said unto him, because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of Thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment. " 1 kings 3:11 The reason God gave Solomon riches is because he sought the kingdom of God and to govern the people of God with wisdom and knowledge. GOD choose to enrich him because he sought the kingdom of God and to govern the people of God with wisdom and knowledge. God choose to enrich him because his desire was for the promotion and establishment of the kingdom of God.
Jesus told us to " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all other things shall be added unto you. " Matthew 6:33 God knows we need riches but his ultimate purpose for his children is that we pursue the kingdom of God to build and promote it. That is the reason God gave king Solomon riches, because his focus was on God's kingdom. God also knew that Solomon will eventually use the riches to build the kingdom of God, no wonder king Solomon built God's temple in Isreal for the first time. Because God established his kingdom with riches and honour.
God is ready to bless his beloved children with riches if only they will be kingdom minded and have a desire to promote God's kingdom with their wealth and riches. God is looking for people who are ready to use their money for the building of the kingdom sanctuaries (church auditorium ), sponsoring the gospel to be preached every where possible, giving to those in need of help in the household of God. God especially gives riches to his children for the sake of the kingdom of God to be established with money.
Chapter 6 : Flying riches
" ...for riches certainly make themselves wings ,they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. " Proverbs 23:5
Flying riches are the type that can be wasted in a moment of time. A person with flying riches is the one that gets rich instantly especially through dubious means. Thus, their form of riches have no foundation and therefore cannot endure for long .This means their wealth is not durable enough to be passed on to their succeeding generations. There are a number of reasons why some people have this flying riches.
One of them is to get money through the wrong means, such as cheating, stealing, lieing, killing, duping, rituals and false inheritance. Like the one stated in this scripture, " An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning : but the end thereof shall not be blessed." Proverbs 20:21 If riches are not given to you as the blessings of the Lord, they cannot endure for long, therefore they fly away after a while. If God bless you with wealth and you abuse the wealth and riches by using it to do more harm than good, then it can also fly away after a while.
That is why some riches are a nine day wonder, it is only for a short period of time. Flying riches are the type that people use to oppress others and control them. Others use their riches for womanizing, parting, drinking and all forms of diabolical things. When people tend to trust in their wealth more than their God, they eventually loose their riches.
" He that trusted in his riches shall fall, but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. " Proverbs 11:28 The riches become uncertain the moment you put your trust in them for life and even provision of everything. No matter how rich you are, never think you can do all things because of the money you have. Instead you have to give the credit to God who empowered you to do whatever He wants you to do. God can bring you down the moment you cease to give the credit to God for all he has done to enrich you.
" Go to now, ye that say ,today or tomorrow we will go into such a city and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain .Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow, for what is your life ? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanishes away. For that ye aught to say, if the Lord will, we shall live and do this ,or that. " James 4: 13-15
Chapter 7: Kingdom Financier
" You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. " 2 Corinthians 9:11 NIV
Being a kingdom financier is a call and a godly responsibility for those that are enriched with godly riches. God calls some Christians from the body of Christ and enrich them for the work of generosity in the kingdom of God. These are financiers for the kingdom, if you happen to read this book you are one of the kingdom financiers .When God gives you godly riches, it is for the purpose of ministering to the financial need of the church, so that the work of God can prosper.
Kingdom financier are those with a willing heart to give out their treasured possessions for the sake of the kingdom of God, this could be in the form of houses, cars ,lands ,properties and cash for the work of God. They are willing to give to the house of God and to ministers of the gospel so that God's word can spread rapidly because of their given. They give cheerfully to support church projects and the propagation of the gospel.
We discover in the old testament how the tabernacle ( Tent of meeting ) being the first church building was built. The people gave willingly of their substance to the Lord " And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service ,and for the holy garments. And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted and brought bracelets and earrings and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold and every man that offered an offering of gold unto the Lord. " Exodus 35 : 21-22
These are kingdom financiers, they are first of all receivers and secondly givers. They receive the substance of godly riches and the grace to give cheerfully and willingly for the work of God. Then they are good at giving out generously what God has bountifully bestowed upon them, therefore they do not lack, for they always receive grace for giving and riches to give out from God. " Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom. For with the measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. " Luke 6:38
Chapter 8: The Ministry of Giving
" If it is giving, then give generously " Romans 12: 8
Giving is a ministry that God gives to his faithful children to accomplished. The truth is you cannot really give what you don't have, therefore you should have something in order to give out to others. That is the reason for godly riches, God will graciously bless you with riches enough to give out to the needy. This however starts with being ready to sow the seed of giving and receiving. To give out the little you have as a seed for the work of God, to a needy man of God or for the mission work, pave way for a harvest of godly riches.
" Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown ,and increase the fruits of your righteousness. " 2 Corinthians 9: 10 The ministry of giving is a gift and a call to minister to the needs of other brothers and sisters in the Lord, the ministers of the gospel, sponsorship of church programs ( outreach, media, church projects etc. ) ,the orphans, and needy in our neighbourhood so that we can share the love of God and the word of God to them.
There are so many people who have given their lives to Christ because of this ministry of giving. The Lord gives godly riches to his beloved and faithful children because of this ministry of giving. One of such givers in this ministry of giving was a woman called
Tabitha (Dorcas) ." Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas, this woman was full of good works and almsdeed which he did. " Acts 9:36
This woman was devoted was devoted to the ministry of giving, and this is the more reason, even when she died they prayed for God to bring her back to life to continue her ministry ." But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed, and turning him to the body, said, Tabitha arise. And she opened her eyes and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up and when he had called the saints and widows presented her alive. " Acts 9 : 40-41
Giving can bring life any dead situation in your life, marriage, finances, business and the entire family. Those who are into this ministry of giving have God's eye on them like Cornelius " A devout man and one that feared God with all his house, which gave alms to the people, and prayed to God always. " Acts 10:2
Chapter 9 : Rich In Good works
" And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye ,always having all sufficiency in all things may abound to every good work. " 2 Corinthians 9 :8
When God enrich his children usually it is for the purpose of good works. God wants us to be rich in good works, this means that you discharge the duties of kindness, generosity and giving. The good works that God wants us to do in includes feeding the hungry.,clothing the needy, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and the the prisoners, winning souls, preaching the gospel, giving Tithes and offerings.
" For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat, I was thirsty and ye gave me drink : I was a stranger, and ye took me in .Naked and ye clothed me. I was sick, and ye visited me. I was in prison and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee? Or thirsty and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger and took thee in? Or naked and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick or in prison and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it "Unto me " Matthew 25:35 -40
These works of good deeds can only be done with godly riches, that is the more reason why God would bless you with abundance so that you can be rich good works. Helping those in need in the house God at times is a credit for eternity, Because Jesus will use it as a means of judgement on the last day. " And at us not to be weary in well doing. For in due season we shall Reap ,if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household faith. " Galatians 6: 9-10
God has plans to bless and enrich his kingdom minded citizens so that they can be of help to others in need. The reason for this godly riches is for people to come to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Good deeds can touch the heart of the poor and needy so that they can reach out for the salvation that is in Christ Jesus. As God gives us godly riches, it is an opportunity for us to do good to all in need and help as many as we can by the grace of giving and receiving.
Chapter 10 : The love of money
" For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
The opening scripture declares that loving money is the root cause of all the evil people do.We all know that money is good, and as a matter of fact every human living on this planet earth needs money for the purchase of any thing you need and for the payment of any service rendered to you. This is the more reason many like money is so they can have access to whatever they need.
However, the word of God cautions us to beware of falling in love with money, because it can lead us to do evil. Whenever a person loves money, he or she tend to do anything possible to get the money. The person who loves money can kill, steal, lie , do prostitution, dupe , and do all sorts of evil deeds so as to possess the money. Money lovers are in the category of ritualist, armed robbers, hired assassin etc. who only do the evil to get the money.
Money lovers cannot wait on God's time, instead they resort to their own evil ways and means to get the money they need, by hook or crook ." Which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith , and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. " 1 Timothy 6:10 Those who love money actually are full of covetousness, eager to get some that is not meant for them .In that case they are even ready to kill so they can have that money.
" But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare , and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. " 1 Timothy 6:9 Those who love money have a financial goal, that is to say have a certain amount of millions just saved into their accounts. They at times ser a target of having billions in their accounts, to the extent that they will not give out any to the needy or for offering or for donations, neither will they help their family members in any way.
Such people actually worship money as God, to them having a lofty bank account is a great achievement. The Lord warns us against such altitudes towards money, because we will not go with any. " For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out. " 1 Timothy 6 : 7
Money is good for a legal tender, for the purchase of goods , and exchange for goods and services rendered. But it becomes evil when a person tends to hoard it for himself or herself in a selfish way and in the process do so much evil to achieve their financial evil, this is what is actually referred to as the " love of money " At the end a person might die and leave this huge sum of money in their accounts, money that could have been used to support the work of God or needy people of God is just locked up in a bank account.
Chapter 11: The Prodigal spending
" And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country and there wasted his substance with riotous living. " Luke 15 : 13
Prodigal spending is the nature and character of the Prodigal son, the Prodigal spending is all about wasteful expenditure, unnecessary expenses, extravagant spending, and riotous living. It is the type of spending that embezzles money, using money to buy things not because you you need them, but just to impress people and to show off that you have it all and you can also afford it all.
Prodigal spending is about buying expensive things, living an exorbitant life style that is luxurious in nature and especially what is beyond your means . This means you end up buying in credit, paying for things in instalment. The Prodigal son spent his wealth and riches with Prostitutes, " But as soon as this thy son was come ,which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf . " Luke 15: 30
Those who are in the habit of spending in a Prodigal way always waste their riches on Prostitutes, hard drugs, alcoholism, expensive trips, womanizing and enjoying expensive pleasures that gives them bills that waste their godly riches. They end up buying so many things they don't even need nor use. The Prodigal life always leaves them bankrupt and in debts.
The Prodigal spending is to spend money as if you have so much wealth, yet you have only a little. "There is that maketh himself rich ,yet hath nothing, there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. " Proverbs 13: 7 Making yourself poor, means you don't spend too much money, buying things you don't need, This actually means you don't show off your riches, by buying expensive things to please people.
There are some people who always buy expensive things ( like cars,clothes, etc.) they don't need to impress people (colleagues ) they don't need to impress. At the end you spend all your riches and you will be in need or even in debts, for trying to live your life to please the wrong people. When godly riches mature you don't show off, it will be seen in good works you do for people, how you help the needy in society or your giving to the work of God.
Chapter 12 : Frugal Spending
" ... There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. " Proverbs 13 : 7
Frugal spending is the exact opposite of Prodigal spending. Frugal spending is the art of not spending too much money on yourself. In Frugality you don't spend too much of money on unnecessary things and this helps you to manage any amount of money that comes into your hands. And as a result you are able to manage money wisely and save money enough for what is so important for you to do with money.
God wants us to get what we need with any available money. A Frugal spending is the one that focus on buying what is actually on budget. In Frugal spending, you don't buy things on impulse purchase, it has to be part of your plan to buy them. Frugal spending is all about having wisdom of spending the right amount of money for the right things you may need at the right time.
All about making sure you buy absolutely what is needed and rational to you at a point in time. Money is a seasonal thing, this means there is a money season, when the money will come to you in abundance. During such times you need to spend wisely and save some down against the non-money season; a season when money can be scarce on you. " A time to get and a time to loose, a time to keep and a time to cast away. " Ecclessiastics 3:6
A time to keep (save ) Some is when money is coming. In handling godly riches, this is how it works, spend some for yourself, give some to others and save some for future use .Joseph taught taught Egyptians the principle of frugality in the time of plentiful harvest, which later helped them in the time of famine. " And let them gather all the food of those good years that come ,and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep the food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land perish not through the famine. " Genesis 41:35-36
The Frugal spending is the strategy that Joseph used to save Egypt and his own family in the time of famine. Remember spend some, give some and save some of the money.
Chapter 13: God makes rich
" The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich, he bringeth low and lifteth up. " 1 Samuel 2:7
The opening scripture says God makes rich, this means that the most high God actually has provision to enrich his children when and as it pleases him. God can actually open doors of opportunity that can enrich you instantly. This usually happens timely bases, when the season of God to bless his people has actually come.
Godly riches can be given to you when God's set time to prosper you has come, for instance God choose to make Joseph rich .It all started with dreams of Joseph that provoked hatred in the brethren, they sold him out into slavery, but that was the way leading to his godly riches. " And the Lord was with Joseph and he was a prosperous man , and he was it the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was was him ,and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. " Genesis 39: 2-3
He became prosperous and rich, because the Lord God was with him and all that he did the Lord made it to prosper .That is how God can enrich you. " The blessings of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. " Proverbs 10:22 God can actually bless you and as a result you will just become rich. This usually happens when you walk with him for some time.
When God tries your faithfulness, the next thing is that he will enrich you. The Lord blessed so many and enrich them in the bible, we see God enrich people like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Solomon, Jehoshaphat . ( 2 Chronicles 18:1) etc. These people walked consistently with God and God honoured them with wealth and riches. God makes people riches. God makes people rich so that he can use them to accomplish his kingdom purpose.
Like Joseph we need to discover our kingdom purpose so that the blessing of the Lord shall be our portion. " But as for you, ye thought evil against me ,but God meant it unto good .to bring to pass ,as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not : I will nourish you and your little ones. And he comforted them ,and spake kindly unto them. " Genesis 50:20-21 God enriched Joseph so that he could feed his father's house with food in the time of famine and he knew the reason for the riches and was ready to do it for his brethren and their families.
Chapter 14 : Rich Toward God
" So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. " Luke 12:21
To be rich toward God is the form of riches that is coupled with the fear of God and the knowledge of God's word. A person who is rich toward God, is also rich in the word of God, having knowledge of the kingdom of heaven. “ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16
A person who is rich toward God is someone who has ample knowledge of God, his ways and acknowledge God in all his ways. Even though he or she has money ,yet he has knowledge of God in his or her heart. Such a person does not use money in a sinful way or for sinful pleasures, such as womanizing, drunkenness, gambling, bribery etc.
A person who is rich towards God is always trusting God and obeying his word at all times. " Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. " Proverbs 3:5-6 Some of the things we do to acknowledge God is prayer, studying the word of God ( having an appetite for the word ) ,being thankful to God at all times and living a life of righteousness.
In the parable of the rich fool ( Luke 12: 16-21) we discover that the rich man actually was not grateful to God, He did not thank God for his wealth, in other words he did not acknowledge God in his wealth. He also worshipped money and giving all the credit to his plentiful harvest. He assumed that he will be happy and more fulfilled with the plentiful harvest, and that his soul will enjoy life and merriment for long. ( Luke 12 :16-19 )
To be rich toward God, we must have a godly approach to the wealth and riches that comes our way ,we must be more spiritual than physical in our disbursement of money as children of God.
Chapter 15 : The Rich Fool
" But God said unto him, thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee : then whose shall those things be ,which thou hast provided ? "
The rich man was described by God as a fool for a number of reasons. The rich become fools when their focus becomes their wealth and riches instead of the God that made them rich. .The rich who plan to do so much with their money or because of their money and leave God out of the picture are seen as fools. Because the money is their god and they think that everything can done or achieve by money.
In this parable the rich man saw happiness, long life and merriment coming from his money. " And I will say to my soul, soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years, take thine ease ,eat ,drink, be merry. " Luke 12:19 God called him a fool because he was typically unlearned and extremely ignorant about the position of money and the that of God .
The assumption is that money brings long life, because he said, " Soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years. " Whereas the word of God makes it clear that God is the giver of life. " With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation. " Psalm 91:16 God wants us to understand that he is the one that gives us life and the abundance of wealth one may accumulate .
Jesus told us this plainly in Luke 12:15 " And he said unto them, take heed and beware of covetousness; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of things he possesseth. " The problem is that this rich man was just full of himself, extremely selfish in his mindset. Talking to his soul insteadof talking to God about his salvation.
It is folly to ignore the word of God, the house of God, the people of God and , the service of God because of riches. That is why this rich man died and never had the life and the chance to enjoy his riches, because he neglected God. " And thou shalt say in thine heart, my power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth. But that shall remember the Lord thy God, for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day. ." Deuteronomy 8 : 17-18
Chapter 16 : The Rich Entering The kingdom
" It is easier for a Camel to go through the eye of needle, than for a rich to into the kingdom of God " Mark 10:25
The possibility of the rich man entering into the kingdom of heaven is described as difficult when Jesus used the camel to symbolise the rich man in his self esteem and ego .The eye of the needle is the narrow way of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. “ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it ." Matthew 7: 14 The parable is ironic in meaning, this means the rich man entering the narrow way is possibility.
However, it must be seen that every rich man, who is proud ,haughty and puff up is as big as a Camel whereas the simplicity of the path way to heaven is comparable to the eye of the needle. The physical truth is that, it is not possible for a Camel to enter the eye of a needle physically. This can only happen when the carmel 's fleshly, fatty body is metamorphose into a tiny body that can enter the hole the the needle called eyes .
So for the rich man to enter the Kingdomof God, He or she must be ready to pay the price of loosing weight in some way, loosing honour, reputation, position, pride, arrogance or even substance. This entering of the kingdom was said after Jesus told a man to sell all and give to the poor and this man refused, because he was very rich. "... One thing thou lackest, go through a way, sell whatsoever thou hast ,and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come ,take up the cross and follow me ." Mark 10 : 21
This man was very religious, but he cared less about the poor and needy around him, that is what Jesus said he was lacking ( Mark 10 : 17-20 ) He was keeping the commandments and the laws of Moses, but he was not a giver. Jesus Christ's doctrine reveals that some people will not enter heaven, but will go to hell for not helping the poor and needy. ( Matthew 25 : 34-46 ) The disciples heard Jesus say it is hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven retorted, but Jesus emphasised the meaning of his statement .
( ...Children how hard it is for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God. " Mark 10 : 24 b, Jesus reiterated that not just those having riches that will not enter the Kingdomof heaven, but rather those who put their trust in their riches instead of trusting the God who gave them their their riches. This is what the apostle Paul also affirms to Timothy, " Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy " 1 Timothy 6 : 17
What brings salvation to the rich is when they don't trust in their riches, but rather put their trust in God. Any man who cannot give out generously to the poor and needy is a sign that they can't trust God to give them more. The assumption is that after giving out they will be impoverished and loose their wealth. But I admonish every rich person who want to enter heaven to follow the example of Zaccheus the tax collector .
" And Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord; behold Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, this day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham " Luke 19 : 8 -9
Chapter 17 : The Rich Who Serve God
" When even was come, there came a rich man of arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus disciple ." Matthew 27 : 57
In this scripture we discover that it is possible to be rich and still serve God with your substance. The word of God reveals that a number of rich people were really committed to the things of God in their devoted service to God. . The opening scripture reveals this rich man called Joseph who came for the corps of Jesus Christ and also buried it in his new tomb .
This is the greatest form of service, that God's children should always endeavour to do .This scripture described this man as " a rich man of Arimathea " This means, this man was rich and influential in that place ; Arimathea, yet he served God. In the the time of Christ crucifixion we discover that most of his deserted him, so for anyone to come in such a time as this shows how great his service and devotion to God was.
Another rich man who serve God wholeheartedly was Job, " There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job, and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. . . His substance also was seven thousand sheep, also three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household, so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. " Job 1 : 1-3
He was the richest yet, the most perfect and upright and one that feared God. ( Job 1 : 8 ) God attested to Job's service and affirmed that "there is none like him in the earth " Job's devotion to God was first class and incomparable, yet he was the richest in his day .Despite all the trials and temptations that came upon him ,he still worshipped God. ( Job 1: 20 -22) The issue here is that Job was strongly devoted to worship and service to God despite his riches.
Another of such rich people who served God was Cornelius. " There was a certain man in Ceasarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band. A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house which gave much alms to the people and prayed to God always. " Acts 10 : 1-2 . Cornelius used his wealth to honour God by praying always and giving to the poor and needy. The record of his service to God is categorically stated, he was devoted to the things of God, He feared God , and taught his household to also fear God, He gave the needy and lastly he was prayerful.
Despite his wealth he was serving God greatly, later the angel affirmed his service to God, " ...thy prayers and and thine alms are come up as a memorial before God. " Acts 10 :4 The great lesson here is that no matter how rich you become you can also serve God with your wealth.
Chapter 18 : Forsaking All
" Then Peter began to say unto him lo, we have left all, and have followed thee ." Mark 10:28
In God's kingdom there are principles that govern every thing we do and everything that God does for us . One of these principles is forsaking all or leaving everything behind to follow Christ in order to get it later in multiples. Jesus told a rich man to do this, but he didn't know the blessing that would follow, so he couldn't do it. " Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him. One thing thou lackest, go thou way and sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come take up the cross and follow me. " Mark 10 :21
This emphasize that we have treasure in heaven, that is the price of entering the kingdom. Learning to let go especially through temptation. There are times when God tries our faith to ascertain whether we love God more than the riches. Jesus found out that this rich man was not ready to have treasures in heaven, because he didn't let go .And the disciples told Jesus that they have actually forshaken all and followed him and what is their reward.
This is the reward in Jesus answer "...verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife ,or children or lands, for my shake and the gospels. But he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time houses and brethren and lands ,with persecution and in the world to come eternal life. " Mark 10 : 29-30 The principle of forsaking all produces multiples of whatever you left or lost in order to serve God.
We discovered the apostle Paul also lost so much for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. " But what things were gain to me ,those I counted loss for Christ . Yea doubtless ,and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord : for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them dung, that I may win Christ. " Philippians 3: 7-8 The principle of forsaking all happens to so many in order for them to enter into God's blessings that produces godly riches.
The following are examples of people who are got godly riches after forsaking all. Abraham left his own country ( Genesis 12:1-4),Joseph was sold out of his people, ( Genesis 37: 27-28 ) Job lost all his children and riches. (Job 1:13-22)
Chapter 19 : Tithes And offerings
" Bring ye all the Tithes into the store house, 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
Tithes and offerings are the greatest medium of God's blessings for the child of God. Ever Christian who has a habit of paying tithes and offerings faithfully and consistently is bound to abound in blessings. The opening scripture makes it clear that the Lord will open the windows of heaven and pour down a blessing that overflows.
In this scripture we discover that tithes are the provisionsof food, money and supply for the house of God. To pay your tithe is like giving back to God what actually belongs to him . keeping back the Tithes is like holding on to God's money and that God said the adverse effect is a curse. " Will a man rob God ? Yet ye have robbed me .But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee ? In Tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me ,even this all nation ." Malachi 3:8-9
Paying tithes and offerings is not just a necessity for the believer, it is actually an obligation, that brings God's blessings ,if oblige to and it can also incur a curse, if it is ignored. Paying tithes and offerings makes God to destroy the enemy of our harvest and fruitfulness. " And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground ; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of host. " Malachi 3:11
The mystery of tithes and offering is that it paves way for God to destroy the destroyer from our goods so he cannot devour the glory and the goods, so there could be fruitfulness and the blessing of the Lord abounds through our paying of tithes and offerings . Tithes is the one - tenth of your income or profit margin, it must be paid either weekly, or monthly or any time you receive any financial provision.
" But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every one according as he purpose think his heart, so let him give : not grudgingly or of necessity : for God loveth a cheerful giver " 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Chapter 20 : Godly Investment
" ...He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. " 2 Corinthians 9:6
Godly investment are the keys to godly riches, this is the principle of sowing so you can reap one day. Investment works, just as the saying goes, " nothing ventured, nothing gain ." The same thing applies in God's kingdom, you have to give out something, put in something, deposit something, in order to yield an interest of God's blessings. Even God invested in the world, before harvesting souls, by giving Jesus out to die for the world before harvesting the souls, by giving Jesus out to die for the world. ( John 3:16 )
Jesus said, " Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die ,it abideth alone, but if it dies, it bringeth forth fruit. " John 12 :24 The reality here is that any time we give out something for the sake of God’s kingdom it is a godly investment that will eventually produce the blessings of godly riches. This godly investment may take the form of offerings, seeds, tithes, alms, gifts to people or men or women of God, or donations to the orphanages.
Other forms of godly investment are prayers, evangelism, and soul winning, preaching the gospel at times, service in the house of God like ushering, sweeping, singing, prayer team member etc. Jesus spoke some parablesto illustrate this godly investment. " The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which man found and covered up .Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. " Matthew 13:44
The parable shows how important it is to invest in God's kingdom in order to enjoy the dividends it yields in the near future. " Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of dine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it " Matthew 13 : 45-46 In these parable we discover they had to sell all in order to gain all , that is exactly what it is to invest in godly riches.
At times you may loose all,only to find it later in a more perfect and double portion like that of Job ,he lost all for the sake of his integrity, but God gave it back double. " So the Lord blessed the later end of Job more than his beginning. .." Job 42:12
Chapter 21 : Long Life And Riches
" By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life. "
Proverbs 22:4
Godly riches are accompanied by long life, this is what God has promised us his children. The Lord God knows that riches are nothing without long life, so he promised us long life. " With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation. " Psalm 91 : 16 The highest level of God's blessings is long life, and that the Lord has promised to give to us As much as we praying and believing God for riches, we must also pray, work and believe God for long life.
"A man to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and honour so that he wants nothing for his soul for all that he desires, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it; this is vanity and it is an evil disease. " Ecclessiastics 6 : 2 This scripture is talking about rich people who usually die and leave their wealth for others to enjoy. The emphasis is that it is not befitting to have money ,but not to have the accompanying life to enjoy the wealth.
So God does not just bless people with riches, but also blesses them to have long life, so that they can enjoy, manage and use their godly riches to honour God. God gave king Solomon riches, but long life was additional provision that had requirements. It was not just credited to him ,but it was something he had to earn.
Let's consider the following scripture very well. " And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour : so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. " 1 kings 3:13-14 The riches and honour was a gift from God for the king Solomon all the days of his life.
However God promised to give him long life on a condition of obedience " walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments " That was Solomon’s responsibility, before God will also fulfill his promise of long life, " I will lengthen thy days " this means to make longer a life spine that is too short. So for us to have long life walking hand in hand with our godly riches, we must keep God's word diligently.
Chapter 22 : Riches For Enjoyment
" Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. " 1 Timothy 6 : 17
God givesus riches for us to live life to the fullest, this is what the opening scripture is affirming. The Lord gives us riches in order to serve as a provision for our material needs. There are basically three areas of need for every child of God, thus; food, shelter and clothing. Pual talks about God supplying our needs in these basic areas.
" But my God shall supply all your needs, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus Christ. " Philippians 4 : 19 The God of heavens wants us to possess everything that we need as children of God. In our scope of environment we emphasise on the basic necessity of life that brings fulfilment to God's kingdom, for instance Joel said, " And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you; and my people shall never be ashamed. " Joel 2:26
Eating in plenty, eating to your satisfaction is a the plan of God for his children who serve him faithfully. The name of the Lord must be glorified at the end of the day, when we have received so much of his provision for our lives. God wants his children to praise him for the riches we enjoy, that is why it is great sin to ignore God after he has blessed you with plenty of goods and wealth in abundance. Especially when you fail to thank him for what he has done for you.
" Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses.,and dwelt therein .And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied. Then thine heart be lifted up and thy forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Deuteronomy 8 : 12-14 God doesn't want his people to forget the goodness of the Lord and he always expect us to give all the glory to him.
When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he halt given thee .Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day. " Deuteronomy 8 : 10-11
Chapter 23 : Pure Gold For Riches
" I counsel thee to buy of megold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear, and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. " Revelations 3 :18
When the Lord said gold tried in the fire for riches, and he was referring to a number of virtue in Christ that can enrich ,not just the material world. ,but also the spiritual world of the individual believer. In studying this scripture with other scriptures we discover that the people were claiming to be rich, but God never saw them that way, because their riches were not godly riches. .
" Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thouart wretched and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked. " Revelations 3 : 17 What kind of rich man have that description; wretched, miserable,,poor, blind, and naked. This is a a rich man who is not saved, who has not given his life to Christ and is living in sin.
The sinful life is the poverty of the rich who are lost in sin, because they have no treasures in heaven. And for that matter they are not rich in the sight of God. " So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. " Luke 12 : 21 This is one of the things that made the rich man a fool in Luke 12 : 20 " But God said unto him, thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee : then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided. " This rich man was so blind he didn't see his eminent death and the shame that followed.
The opening scripture promises, pure gold, white raiment and eye shave. These three things are symbolic and significant in the word of God. First the pure gold is symbolic of the word of God and the knowledge of the word in our lives. " More to be desired are they than gold ,yea than much fine gold : sweeter also than honeycomb ." Psalm 19:10
The white raiment is the righteousness of the saints, the nakedness is the shamefulness our sins. "... And have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb ." Revelations 7:14 The eye salves are the spiritual sight Jesus came to give us, " For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see ..John 9:39
Chapter 24 : Rich In The Word
" Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord " COLOSSIANS 3 : 16
The essence of being rich in the word is to keep us from going astray from godly riches. If a person is not rich in the word of God, He or she is liable to fall prey to the deception of the enemy. The devil takes advantage of people who do not know the word of God and abuse them and misuse their lives and their riches. Everything in this life have its foundation in the word of God.
Being rich in the word is the key to your salvation in Christ Jesus, " And that from a child thou hast know the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. “ 2 Timothy 3:15 The word of God has the capacity to make a person wise for his own good and for the salvation of the soul. A person with godly riches must also be rich in the word of God, knowing the Holy scriptures.
The word of God can also give you instructions that can enrich you. " Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instructions; but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. " Proverbs 13:18 So it pays to receive instructions from the word of God. In order to receive godly riches one must be rich in the word of God first. " All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instructios in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto good works. " 2 Timothy 3:16-17
In order to be rich in the word, you have to consciously decide to study the word of God and personally apply it to your life on a daily basis for success in every area of endeavour ." Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. " 2 Timothy 2:15 When you are rich in the word, you don't live in sin ,because your life is patterned after the word of God.
At times sin is the devil's foot hole in our lives, so your sins pave way for demons to step into your life and create havoc and crises in your life and finances. " Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. ” Psalm 119:11
Chapter 25 : Treasures In Heaven
" Lay up for yourselves, treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal. " Matthew 6 : 20
Laying up treasures in heaven is the way of the cross, where your godly deeds are estimated as a pearl of treasures in God's kingdom for you to enjoy in eternity. Treasures in heaven are the heavenly rewards and inheritance we will possess in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus usually tells us that we have to make sure our good deeds gives us a credit of treasures in heaven. ( Matthew 25:33-40 )
God usually gives us godly riches so we can use them to sow seeds of heavenly treasures ,let us consider this portion of scripture " Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness. Being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. " 2 Corinthians 9 : 10 -11 So when God gives you wealth the purpose of this is to serve as a seed for you to harvest Treasures in heaven.
Since, we are not leaving this earth with anything, but rather whatever material riches we possess are only usable on this earth. We need to use our riches for the honouring of God's kingdom. " For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out. " 1 Timothy 6: 7 In this scripture we discover that we can have so much possessions on earth, but one day we shall leave all of them behind.
What will be more painful is that, after having received so much of God's blessings on earth, if we finally find out that we have nothing in store for us in eternity, Because we did nothing on earth to accredit us these treasures in heaven, where there are gold, diamonds, jasper, emerald and all manner of precious pearls.
" Let not your heart be troubled : ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansion : if it were not so ,I would have told, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself : that where I am ,there ye may be also. " John 14:1-3
Chapter 26 : Profit In Eternity
" For bodily exercise profiteth little : but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. " 1 Timothy 4:8
The kingdom of God is all about gaining, profiting, winning and benefiting from the service renderedto God. Jesus has promised us that whatever we loose now for the sake of the kingdom, we shall actually get in hundred fold. That is what the phrase " godliness is profitable unto all things. " means.
God gives us eternal gain, whenever we loose something for the sake of God’s service. Jesus gave us a big promise in Revelations. " And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me ,to give every man according as his work shall be. ” Revelation 22:12 In this portion of scripture we are sure of profiting in the life to come eternal. If we use our earthly riches from the promotion of God's kingdom instead of worldliness, we are sure God will give us eternal heritage forever.
" For whosoever will save his life shall loose it : but whosoever will loose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. " Luke 9:24 In this portion of scripture Jesus is emphasizing eternal profits that awaits us as we choose to serve the Lord with our substance. The child of God may loose some things or intentionally and decisively let go of some things of value for the sake of the work of God Jesus is saying that we shall possess more in eternity. There are so many eternal inheritance and blessings awaiting us as we serve God faithfully.
" Giving thanks unto the father, which had made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. " Colossians 1:12 The saints of God have their divine inheritance awaiting them. The children of God, who serve God faithfully and are registered in heaven are said to be the saints. In God's kingdom we don't loose, we always gain, because God gives us our divine inheritance in his appointed time .
" Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord : for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. " Philippians 3 :8
Chapter 27 : Profit On Earth.
" But shall receive an hundred fold now in this time,houses, and brethren sisters, and mothers, and children and lands, with persecution; and in the world to come eternal. " Mark 10 : 30
There are also material blessings God gives to his children who serve him faithfully. These blessings come to us in the process of time as we serve the Lord faithfully. The Lord JESUS promised the disciples that he will bless their lives with an hundred fold of whatever they lost because they are following Christ. The emphasis of earthly blessings is specifically stated in different categories; houses, brethren, sisters, mothers, children and lands.
Jesus further added persecutions, this is because through these persecutions we discover the blessing of eternity. God can choose to bless his children with every material blessings such as aforementioned. Every Christian must have the consciously that no matter what he or she is passing through, God has endowed us with blessings of his glory from the word.
" Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.His seed shall be blessed upon the earth : The generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and Riches shall be in his house and his righteousness endureth forever. ” Psalm 112 :1-3 The seed sha be mighty upon the earth is the profit the righteous will get upon the earth. And again wealth and riches shall also be in his house.
" The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree ,he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the court of our Lord. " Psalm 92 : 12-13 The righteous who serve God will flourish and the outcome is the godly riches . " They shall bring forth fruit in old age, they shall be fat and flourishing. " Psalm 92:14 The Lord is a faithful God who makes sure that the righteous ones are rewarded handsomely.
In Isaiah 1:19 The Lord promised " If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. " Isaiah 1:19 The good of the land is the profit on earth, which is food, clothing, shelter, money, long life, houses, cars, good health and prosperity of all kinds. God can reward us with earthly blessings so we can be able to do the work he has called us to accomplish. " For he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him ." Hebrews 11: 6
Chapter 28 : The Blessings Of God
" The blessings of the Lord, it makes rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. " Proverbs 10 : 22
Godly riches are the product of the blessings of God. When God blesses you everything your hand touches becomes a blessing. This means that God actually delights in blessing you and everything that concerns you. God promised in his word that his blessings cover every area of our lives.
" The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy store house, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. " Deuteronomy 28 : 8 These blessings makes the difference in whatever you do and makes it prosper in your hand. God blesses us so that we can in every area of business and finances. The blessings of the Lord is that of virtue that makes things go well and smoothly in a progressive way in your life affairs.
Joseph had these blessings of the Lord upon his life that is why he prospered even as a slave, prisoner and a foreigner. " And the Lord was with Joseph and he was a prosperous man : and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight. ..and he made him overseer over his house, and in all that he had he put into his hand. " Genesis 39:2-4
The blessing brings prosperity, grace and favour that produces riches in due time. The Lord is in the business of blessing his faithful ones who walk with him in a covenant like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. " And I will make of thee a great nation ,and I will bless thee ,and make thy great and thou shall be a blessing. " Genesis 12 : 2 God chooses to bless us with godly riches, so we can bless others also.
The blessing of God produces effects in so many ways ; " And God Almighty bless thee and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee ,that thou mayest be a multitude of people. " Genesis 28 :3 God's blessings makes us fruitful in everything we do, the same blessings brings multiplication of our goods and offerings. " Let us consider Isaac's blessing ."Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundred fold and the Lord blessed him . And the man waxed great, and forward and grew until he became very great for he had possession of flocks and possession of herds and great store of servants and the philistines envied him. " Genesis 2 6:12-14
Chapter 29 : Godly talent for Godly Riches
"And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to every man according to his several ability and straightway took his journey. " Matthew 25:15
When God wants to bless you, he first gives you godly talent that would be a channel for godly riches to flow through. God's talents for his children are spiritual and physical abilities that hie gives to his children so that in turn they will serve their neighbours with this talents. Talents are also referred to as gifts or skills a person may possess.
Talents may appear in various ways and forms, such as singing, handiworks craft work, academics, intelligence or an excellent spirit like Daniel and his three friends in Babylon. " As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. " Daniel 1:17 God gave them knowledge and skill ,understanding in all visions, this is the talent God gave them.
The godly talent pave way for them to be exalted in positions of honour, like Joseph also in Egypt. The king of Egypt; Pharaoh saw an excellent spirit in him, his gift of interpreting dreams like Daniel took him to the place of prime minister in a foreign land ." And Pharaoh said unto his servants, can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the spirit of God is ...forasmuch as God hath showed thee all these, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art . Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled. " Genesis 41:38-40
The Lord can empower you for godly riches by a particular thing that you are gifted and good at doing. Just make you are consistent in doing it well and the time will come when that particular talent will bring the blessings of God. Some are good at training and business transactions, and that is their godly talent that God will use to give them the godly riches. Some are instrumentalist and others are anointed with God's healing power.
Some have prophetic insight and Revelations in every life situation. Every form of occupation is the talent that God gives his children to excell thereby. When God blesses you, the blessings must definately flow through a channel and that is the godly talent you have, some are seamstress, hairdressers, carpenters, welders, technicians, bankers, managers, authors,doctors, lawyers, nurses, politcians etc.
Chapter 30 : The Principle Of Working
" Some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busy bodies. Now such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with all quietness they work and eat their own bread. " 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12
Working is the orderly principle God ordained for us to follow. It is the will of God that we should keep ourselves busy doing something to earn a living. God himself ordained it and it is only through the channel of working and labouring that God showers the blessings of godly riches. When God promise to blessed us ,he said that the blessing will come upon what you do with your hands.
" The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy store house, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. " Deuteronomy 28 : 8 God takes delight in blessing the work of our hands ,so it doesn't matter what work you, what matters is the blessings of the Lord upon your handiwork. God made everything that Joseph did to prosper in his hands.
" And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hands. " Genesis 39:3 God wants us to find something reasonable to do ,soo he can use it as a yardstick to bless us. God wants us labour in working, so that he will bless our effects with prosperity. " ... my elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. " Isaiah 64:22 The emphasis is on doing something with your hands, so that God will eventually use that as a source of provision of godly riches.
" Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished : but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. " Proverbs 13 : 11 The Lord brings increase gradually as gather little by little, day by day of the profits we get out of our work .Godly riches comes out of working and blessing the little work, so that you get huge profit out of it ." Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. " Psalm 104:23
The principle of working is one of the principles God laid down for all of us to follow as human beings. We are suppose to render services to one another in work and get our pay for such services. ,blessings it selling a product, or rendering any form of service, such as lectures, repairs, carpentry, construction, or handiworks, profession etc.
Chapter 31 : The Principle Of Savings
" Wealth gotten by vanity, shall be diminished, but he that gathereth by labour shall increase " Proverbs 13 : 11
Saving is the principle of God's creation, God used six days in creating the universe, the Lord did create something every single day. God did it little by little until he had the complete world created. The The principle of saving is what makes wealth, the ability to gather little by little, day by day is what makes a person grow into godly wealth.
The profit of today can be useful tomorrow when there is no profit, because all days are not equal, every day can be a different day entirely. Whenever you have an income if possible try and save a little not much. But be consistent in your savings, because the little you save continually grows into a large blessing.
Savings are seeds we sow into our tomorrow, there is no other way to amass godly riches than to keep the little you have on a daily basis. Whenever you have money enough, make sure you save, spend some and give some out as an offering or donations. " Give a portion to seven, and also to eight, for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. " Ecclessiastics 11:2 Whenever you give out something it be used by God as a ransom offering to save you in the day of trouble.
Again whenever you save some thing, it could be used to help meet a need in the day of trouble. " In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that. Or you whether they both shall be alike good. " Ecclessiastics 11:6 Prosperity comes little by little and gradually day by day. So savings can help you to be a good custodian of the godly riches.
Savings is what helps you not to waste what you can't eat today, because you are satisfied. Savings helps you to preserve what you can't use today for the use of tomorrow. Savings helps you not to be Prodigal with what you have, In orderto save you need to be Frugal in your spending. ( see Chapter 12: Frugal Spending ).Try as much as possible not to be Prodigal ( see Chapter 11 : Prodigal spending ) your spending ,so that you can preserve something for your savings.
Chapter 32: The Principle Of Prayer
" Is any among you afflicted ? Let him pray, Is any merry let him sing psalms. " James 1:13
At times things can be so hard, no matter how industrious one is. This type of situation calls for prayer like that of Jabez, he had to call upon God in prayer, before his situation was reversed. " And Jabez called upon the God of Isreal, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thy hand might be with me and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me .And God granted him that which he requested. " 1 Chronicles 4:10
The prayer points in Jabez prayer is very important for all of us to learn and use in our prayer life. One of the things we need to ask for in prayer is the blessings of God that makes you rich to possess godly riches ( see Chapter 28 : The Blessings Of God ) The next thing is for God to enlarge his coast or territory of business. This prayer is for the increase in business and the multiplication of everything in his hands.
The next thing is that God's hand will be with him always; this means the power of God should be with him continually. It is important because demonic powers can fight against your business, God’s powerful hand must be with you to fight for you daily. " The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. " Exodus 14:14 Jabez also ask God in his prayer to keep him from evil, so that bad things will not happen in his life, business and family, that will bring him pain and grieve.
Because his name Jabez means sorrow or trouble that brings sadness, so he was actually praying that Godwill take away such troubles from his financial and business life. That is why we need to pray constantly so that such things will not befall us .Jesus emphatically told us to " watch and pray ,that ye enter not into temptation, the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak ." Matthew 26:41 It is therefore a necessity that we give some of our time to prayers no matter how busy we are.
Temptations like Job's losses, goods burning in a warehouse or shop, fraudsters duping could be avoided if we discover this principle of prayer and make it our life style.
Chapter 33 : Principle Of Timing
" To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven ." Ecclessiastics 3:1
God has really promised us that he will bless us in his word, so many times we read in the Scriptures, how much God is eager to bless his beloved children serve him faithfully. We must understand the principles of timing, because God has his own appointed time for doing things. God's timing could be different from our timing, because God set the time frame according to his ability and not our ability.
" He hath made everything beautiful in his time ; also He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. " Ecclessiastics 3 :11 We must do every thing right and expect God to also to also release the godly riches at his set time. God has plans to prosper us ,but it will happen in God's time, which is the right time At times you might do everything right and not have the desired results.If you Like the blessings that makes a person rich, in that case you need to keep doing things right and better until the appointed time.
God said to Abraham and Sarah, " Is anything too hard for the Lord ? At the appointed time I will return unto thee ,according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son . " Genesis 18:14 God works at the appointed time and so we need to wait patiently for the Lord's perfect time to bless and enrich us .Abraham and Sarah waited and continued in prayer until God finally answered their prayer. " And so after he had patiently endured ,he obtained the promise ." Hebrews 6: 15
Why God works with time ,is that he can prepare us for his kingdom purpose. God teaches us so we can actually fill the gap and God can use us to do what he wants us to do with the godly riches. God's vision for our lives is always set for the appointed time. " For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie ,and shall speak and not lie : though it tarry wait for it ; because it will surely come ,it will not tarty " Habakkuk 2:3
Chapter 34 : POSSESSING ALL
" For he had possession of flocks and possession of herds, and great store of servants and the philistines envied him. " Genesis 26:14
There are so many things that God has promised in his word that his children shall possess. These things are material possessions and also spiritual possession. The first things we possess are spiritual things which includes, salvation, healing, ( divine health ) ,the gifts of grace, eternal inheritance etc. In addition to these, we have all other things been added to us ( Matthew 6:33 ) and these are the material possessions .
The child of God can possess godly riches in the form of herds, cattle, houses, cars, companies and goods for the benefits of the kingdom of God. It is very important therefore that we align ourselves with the word of God, so that we can possess these blessings. " But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness, and the house of God shall possess their possessions. " Obadiah 1:17
There are hindrances that can stop you from getting your possession, that is why there "shall be deliverance " This means the Lord has to deliver you, so that the devil cannot have an occasion crip your properties in the spiritual rheam. You have to pray so that the Lord will deliver you from demonic forces that hold back your material possessions. You may have nothing physically, but may be in the rheam of the spirit you possess all things.
" As sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor, yet making many rich, as having nothing yet Possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 6:10 You can actually possess all things if you can pray ,work, give, save, build ,invest and believe in God that it is possible.
" They shall build houses and inhabit them, they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them. " Isaiah 65 : 21 God's word is for us to work on it and pray about it and believe God to fulfil his promises for us according to the word of God.
Chapter 35 : Beware of Covetousness
" And he said unto them, take heed, and beware of covetousness for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of things he possesseth. " Luke 12 : 15
Covetousness is the lust for the material possessions of someone else. This means you have the lustful desire to get a particular thing that belongs to somebody. A person who covets a thing belonging to someone else usually do everything to get it from the person. Either by stealing, lieing, killing, duping, cheating, performing rituals and the like just to get it.
Covetousness makes people resort to so many evil ways of making money or getting what they coveted .Consider the following scriptures and you will understand the negative effects of covetousness. " From whence come wars and fighting among you ? Come they not hence, even of your own lusts that war in your members? Ye lust and have not : ye kill and desire to have and cannot obtain it ,ye fight and war ,yet ye have not ,because ye eternal ask not. Ask and ye shall receive not , because ye ask amiss ,that ye tee mat consumer upon your lust. " James 4 : 1-3
Covetousness is lust and the evil desire that makes friends, relatives, lovers, and coworkers to fight, war and even kill one another over material possessions or inheritance. The scripture stress that they " Ask qmiss" which also means asking God for something with the wrong motive ,because it is borne out of lust or covetousness. Asking God to give you something so you can be bigger or greater than your contemporaries ,or so you can challenge people in authority is " asking amiss "
This is wrong because it doesn't give glory to God, whatever God gives you .must be for the glory of God and it the same time promote the kingdom of God. You must understand that it is not competition with the world, but it is for the advancement of the kingdom of God. " ...I had not know sin ,but by the law ,for I had not know lust ,except the law had said, thou shalt not covet ..." Romans 7:7 Covetousness therefore is the lust of the eyes ( 1 John 2:16) that leads to various forms of sinful acts ,beware !
Chapter 35 : The Rich Wise
" For the turning away of the simple shall slay them and the prosperity of the fool shall destroy them. " Proverbs 1: 32
The wise who have riches are those who have the fear of God in their heart. This means that they have regards for the word of God and they allow the word of God to control their decisions. The wisdom to spend money wisely and not in a sinful way is their life style. / The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom : a good understanding have all they who so their commandments. .." psalm 111: 10 The fear of God will help you to understand the will of God and to spend money wisely.
This wisdom helps you helps me to obey the commandments of God dispite your riches. God's word is relevant to your life and you must obey it .In the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12 : 16-21 ) the rich man was called a fool ,and this is the accessment of God, because he never acknowledged God in his time. " And I will say to my soul ,soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years, take thine ease, drink and be merry. But God said unto him, thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee : then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? "
The folly of this rich man is apparent in his thoughts, thinking that his soul will long because he has enough for many years. Again he was very selfish person, who thinks alone about his personal needs and not to give or do anything for anybody around him .The parable ends by saying he was materially rich ,but was not rich toward God. " So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. " Luke 12 : 21
Every rich person must have the wisdom that the word of God teaches about how to handle wealth and riches in a godly way. " But the wisdom that is from above is first pure ,then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits ,without partiality and without hypocrisy. And the fruits of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. " James 3: 17 -18
Chapter 37 : The Answer Of Money
" A feast is prepared for laughter and wine makes merry, but money answers all things. " Ecclessiastics 10,19
There is a need for us to know that the Lord wants us to have money, so that it can be used to meet some material demands. It is therefore necessary for us to do something that will yield physical cash into our lives all the time. Even though money has a limit to which it can help us, because there are some serious problems it will take divine intervention for us to overcome.
For instance Peter told Simon the witch doctor, " ...thy money perish with thee ,because thy house hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. " Acts 8:20 There are some things money cannot buy from God, yet the fact still remains that money answers only material things and not the spiritual things. God also wants us to have the money so that we can give some for the work of God. On several occasions we see God's children in the holy scriptures giving out their money for the work of God.
" And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Isreal, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation ... " Exodus 30:16 Here money was used as the atonement for their souls, but in the New Testament it is the blood of Jesus Christ that redeems our souls. " Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. " 1 Peter 1:18-19
The position of money in the house of God is for only material usage and purpose, but it cannot save our souls. God however wants us to have this money so we can use it to do things to glorify God in material things. " Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat ,and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink. " Deuteronomy 2:6 God instructed the children of Isreal to use their money to buy food and water from the neighbouring countries ,the position of money is sure here, God uses money to answer some material things we need as children of God, that is why God will always bless us with money.
Chapter 38 : The Principle Of Righteousness
" Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. " Proverbs 14:34
Righteousness is the way of Christ for us to obtain godly riches. To be righteous means to have the righteousness of Christ functioning in your life. This means you do the right thing in the sightof God all the time by obeying the word of God. God rewards righteousness in due time, we can be right and do the right thing and at the right time God will bless your works and that is what will bring the godly riches.
" And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall Reap ,if we faint not " Galatians 6 :9 Righteousness is the principle of doing the right thing all the time. Doing the right business with the right time. The principle of righteousness demands that you don't cheat ,steal, lie, dupe, kill,fraud etc.in your business transactions. You have to do business God's way ,don't be dubious in business deals, because you want to be rich .
Jesus said, "...He that is righteous, let him be righteous still, and he that is holy ,let him be holy still. And behold, let come quickly; and my reward is with me ,to give every man according as his work shall be. ” Revelation 22 : 11-12 God expects to serve him faithfully and make sure we are not fraudulent in our business and financial lives .The word of God warns us against ungodly riches in the following scripture.
" Your gold and silver is cankered and the rust of them shall be a witness against you and shall eat your flesh as it were fire .Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold the hire of your labourers who have reaped down your fields,of which you kept back by fraud, crieth and their cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. " James 5:3-4
These are rich people who use all forms of fraudulent and dubious means to get their wealth. They don't even pay their workers well ,instead use their wages as part of their business capital. These riches are corrupted (James 5 :2) because they are not gotten by the principle of righteousness and they bring eternal damnation ( James 5:1)
Chapter 39: Godly Riches For Godly Vision
" For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie : though it tarry, wait for it ; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. " Habakkuk 2:3
God gives his children godly riches because of a godly vision that has to be accomplished. The Lord has a mission for us in his kingdom, and most at times this mission depends so much on money. That is the more reason God gives his children these godly riches so that God can use them to accomplish a mission of a godly vision. There are so many visions, dreams and purposesof God for his beloved children to accomplish, and that is the reason why godly riches are necessary.
For instance God had a vision for Abraham to be a father of many nations; that is to say he will be a blessing to so many people, tongues and tribes so God had to enrich him for that purpose. " And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and make thy name great, and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee ,and curse him that curseth thee : and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. " Genesis 12 : 2-3
The vision is for Abraham to be a blessing for all the families of the earth ,so God blessed him to that effect. So godly riches are usually meant for the purpose of accomplishing a godly a vision. There are some that God will enrich so that they will build God's church, promote the kingdom of God with their money, others are specially enriched by God so they can give generously to ministers of the gospel, so that God's work will spread far and abroad.
The following portion of scripture explains how godly riches are meant to promote godly vision. " Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgiving unto God. Whilst by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ ,and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men ." 2 Corinthians 9 : 11 -13 The kingdom of God needs money for its expansion , promotion and propagation of the gospel of Christ.
Chapter 40: Seek First The kingdom
" But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness ; and all other things shall be added unto you. " Matthew 6 : 33
Seeking first the kingdom of God is the priority of God, the righteousnessof the kingdom must be seen in us all the time. Seeking first the kingdom is a matter of searching to know the truth and the reality of God's kingdom and the benefits we can derived from it .In seeking the righteousness, it requires for us to know God ,so that we can actually do the will of God.
Jesus talks about the blessedness of those who seek the righteous requirements of God for their lives. " Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. " Matthew 5:6 The desireto know God more and serve him all the time is what God wants us to aspire to. Thinking about the kingdom more helps us to overcome unnecessary and anxiety of what tomorrow holds for us .
Jesus said, "Therefore take no thought saying, what shall we eat ? Or what shall we drink ? Or wherewithal shall we be clothed. ( For after all these things do the Gentiles seek ) for your heavenly father knoweth that ye have in need of these things. " Matthew 6: 31-32
The concentration of our mind and thoughts has to be on the kingdom of righteousness more than on the material things we so much desire to have. Thinking and praying about how to serve God well, how to overcome the world of sin ,how to overcome temptations, how to please God all the time ought to be our greatest desire.
God will eventually add all the other things we need from him into our lives daily. The Lord desires that we will be heavenly minded and kingdom focused all the time ." If ye then be risen with Christ ,seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above.,and not on things on the earth. " Colossians 3 : 1-2
The heavenly things must always take precedence over the material things and then God will also add all the other material ,physical and substantial blessings into our lives. God gives godly riches to those who seek first the kingdom of God in everything, In all things let God be first, then business, marriage and finances would be added.
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