Part Seven What Does God Want for You? Abundance!

Fresh Manna© by Pastor Tim Burt
http://www.freshmanna.org

Deut. 8:9 “It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking.”

Okay it’s time for a question from Bible 101. Ready? What is the root of all evil? Did you say money? You are wrong. It is the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil. Question number two: Who covets after money more, people that have a great deal of money or people who don’t have money? People that have more than enough money to the point that they don’t think much about it, seldom covet money. If they want something they just buy it. They have the money. If something is broken, they just get it fixed. They have the money. If they want to go somewhere or do something, they just do. They don’t dream and wish they could. There problems over money are different. Money can lead them to pride. Money can lead them to a feeling of self-achievement thereby not feeling they need the Lord. Money can lead them to look down on those that don’t have money and lead them into feeling superior. Money can create a sense of power that leads them to the habit of trying to control people with their money. And it can lead them to the place where they will compromise integrity to continue their in-coming flow of money.

People that don’t have money are constantly faced with their need for it. It’s not that they want to think about money all the time. It’s just that the demand for money keeps knocking at their door. People without enough money need money for a place to live, food, to pay their bills, for their cars, medical bills, and on and on – all the obvious things. People without money are just as likely or more to covet money that people with money.

Money in itself is simply a medium of exchange for goods and services. Money in itself is a thing and not inherently evil. It is the attitude of money that creates all issues. The poor often covet it. The rich let it bond them to the world and its goods making God an after-thought.

You have may have heard the verse Luke 18:27 many times: “And Jesus said, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” It is a scripture often applied and quoted at times of needing a miracle. In its context, when Jesus said it, He was referring to rich men entering Heaven. When Jesus said: said in Luke 18:25 “Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God,” the statement shocked his disciples. They responded: “Who then can be saved?” Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” (Luke 18:26-27)

Jesus was talking about the difficulty wrong attitudes toward money can create. He also made it clear that people cannot deal with having a right attitude toward money in themselves. He said it was an impossibility. Relating rightly to money – relating to money with a godly attitude is only something God can teach and help you to do.

God’s Word makes some things clear regarding the cultivation of a proper attitude toward money.

He has made all things and all things belong to Him. Col 1:16 says, “For by God all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for Him.”

We are not the owners of anything but the stewards of any and all things God puts in our hands to manage. This includes our paycheck. The proper stewardship or management of all resources – money, possessions, time – whatever God has give us is required of Him. Luke 12:42-44 “And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.”

The first ten percent of everything belongs to God as the tithe. Since the tithe belongs to Him ,it is not ours nor is it a gift from us to Him. Not any more than taxes are a gift to the IRS. Offerings are given above the tithe and are a gift of worship and thanks to the Lord for what He has done for us. Malachi 3:8-10 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,”says the Lord Almighty, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!

If you understand these things, you see how only our submission to God concerning money can transform our hearts. The love of money keeps a person coveting money, stealing from God, and/or caring less about God and what He has to say about money.

When we do get our hearts right concerning money, and our lives and actions prove our obedience to Him in these areas, then His will for us is to increase in material resources knowing that we will use them rightly and for Him. You may not be a farmer but translate His abundance below into modern day equipping and blessing.

Deut. 8:6-11 reveals this saying: “So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing Him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with springs that gush forth in the valleys and hills. It is a land of wheat and barley, of grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, olives, and honey. It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. When you have eaten your fill, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.”

God wants abundance and a right attitude to manage it for you! More tomorrow…

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt
http://www.freshmanna.org