We need to be reminded that it is God who enables us to create wealth, and that all the silver and gold in the entire world belongs to Him. He created all the gold, diamond and oil reserves we know of and He also gave man wisdom how to mine them. At the beginning of creation, in the Garden of Eden, God put gold that was exceptionally pure there for a purpose. Had he not told Adam what it was, Adam and all humanity would not know the difference between gold and dirt!
Timothy 6:17- reminds us that it is "God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment (the highlight is mine). From this, it is clear that God wants us to enjoy life and the good things money brings, a recurring theme in the Bible e.g.:
“… I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink and enjoy their work ….And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it…..this is indeed a gift from God.” Ecclesiastes 5: 18-20 [NLT]
Now, let’s pause for a second and ask the question – Is good health the will of God? How about wealth? Only religion accepts one of God’s promises and rejects the other!
Christians should be the happiest people on earth. I like what Malachi 3: 12 says in the Message translation bible - “You’ll be voted ‘Happiest Nation.’ You’ll experience what it’s like to be a country of grace.” God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so. However, this comes with obedience to God’s WORD and if you fear we are now encroaching into the law, here is a sobering reminder – it’s written, “….all God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” 2 Corinthians 1: 20 [NLT].
Christians have this wrong reputation of never doing anything exciting and most of the time we are characterised by what we don’t do rather than what we do. We need to break this perception that Christians can’t drive the latest car, go to movies, live in a modern house, etc. As we meet the needs of others, we also need to thoroughly enjoy ourselves giving all the glory to the Lord who is the giver of all good things.
Pray that after we have given what God requires us to give; we enjoy the left over money he has given us without feeling guilty for God does not expect us to meet every need in the world individually. A body is made up of many parts and members, each designed for its purpose. Do your part.
Teaching about possessions including money, Jesus said what we give or sacrifice for the sake of preaching the Gospel and for the betterment of others less fortunate than us, we do not only gain more but we still get to heaven. So friend, do not be fooled by the devil. If you put God first in everything you do, you can still be wealthy and go to heaven by God’s unmerited favour or grace.
Jesus said to them, “…..you won’t regret it. No one who has sacrificed home, spouse, brothers and sisters, parents, children—whatever—will lose out. It will all come back multiplied many times over in your lifetime. And then the bonus of eternal life!”
Luke 18: 29 – 30 [The Message]
Farai Mutsambiwa
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