Stewardship
A study of the Bible reveals that man's obedience to God always brings blessings. Disobedience always brings curses. A blessing is simply 'an empowerment to prosper'. A curse is 'an empowerment to fail'. Each day we must make decisions to obey or disobey God in many areas of our lives including the way we handle our finances. We must be ready to accept the consequences for our decisions.
Please go with me to the benchmark chapter in the Bible on this subject, Deuteronomy 28. It is here that we will see the very nature of our God concerning obedience, blessings and curses.
Notice in verse 2 the stage is set. God tells us how to receive His blessings. Moses said, "And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God". Then He lists all the blessings that will overtake you.
In verse 15, we learn what happens when we disobey: "But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you this day, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you". Then He lists all the curses that will overtake you.
It is clear that either way we will be overtaken. We will either be overtaken with blessings (empowered to succeed) or curses (empowered to fail).
The Webster's dictionary definition for prosperity is "a state or condition of success - especially financial". I think it is safe to say then, that one of the blessings for our obedience is financial prosperity.
I would like to show you some examples in the Bible where financial prosperity is granted as a blessing for obedience.
1. 1Kings 17:15-17 The Widow at Zarephath. "So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah."
2. Luke 5:4,7 The Catch of Fish. "He (Jesus) said to Simon, 'Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch'." (v.7) "So they signaled to their partners in their other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink."
3. 2Kings 4:3,7 The Widow and Her Two Sons. "Then he (Elisha) said, 'Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors-empty vessels; do not gather just a few. (v.7) "Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, 'Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest'."
In all three examples obedience was the key factor. Obedience took place 'before' the blessings came. What I think happens is simply this. When you hear God's voice and obey, His miracle-working power is released for you to receive some of the promised blessings.
Why will you be empowered to do all this? So you can be a blessing! You become blessed so you can be a blessing. In addition, because you now have some wisdom and understand how to be obedient, you are empowered to get His supernatural blessings every time you have a need in your life. Isn't that glorious? Somebody once asked me when they heard this, "Why didn't I understand this before?" I just responded, "It has been 'hidden' in Deuteronomy 28 all this time".
Question: "What is the key to receiving the blessings of God"?
Answer: Obedience.
Question: "How often do I have to be obedient"?
Answer: Whenever He tells you.
Question: "In every area of my life"?
Answer: Yes, every area.
Question: "With everything?"
Answer: Yes, with everything.
Question: "Even my money?"
Answer: Yes, even your money.
(Correction: It is not really your money. It's His money. He's just letting you use it until He gets back.)
Tom Tottleben
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