“A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;”. (Ecclesiastes 3:6 KJV)
In life there is a season to be poor and a season to be rich—both teach you different types of lessons and shape you to become more like Jesus.
“When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was very rich.” (Luke 18:22-23 WEB)
Jesus was the true rich young Ruler in Heaven who forsook all His treasures there to become a Man.
He subjected Himself to abject poverty and humiliation at the cross—He knows what it’s like to abound and to be abased.
In both types of seasons of poverty and wealth, the secret to thrive is found in Paul’s words: I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
Not by your own strength or willpower. Not through yourself, but through Christ and His strength!
If you’re operating by your own strength, in the season of poverty you will despair, wallow and complain.
In the season of wealth you will become proud, obnoxious and forget God.
We need Jesus in every season to stabilize us and give us that inward shalom peace to guard our hearts.
How do you abound today? Is it by earning it as a reward for hard work and sacrificing everything else in life?
God’s plan for you is better because He doesn’t need you to ruin your health and family relationships before you can enjoy His provision.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9 WEB)
Through Jesus’ finished work at the cross, you can receive abundant provision as a gift through faith.
He can make all Grace abound towards you so that you’re able to be rich in good works—blessed to be a blessing to others.
The context of the verse above is in giving to supply the material needs of the saints
“Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia; how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality. For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints. This was not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. So we urged Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace. But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you also abound in this grace. I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:1-9 WEB)
God’s design is that as you give, you will prosper more.
Consistently tithes and offerings to your local church—that’s sowing a seed that will reap an abundant harvest of financial blessings for you so that you can give even more and help even more people.
“Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work. As it is written, “He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.” Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which produces through us thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-11 WEB)
Don’t let the offering bag pass you by without putting something in by faith. It is giving God an opportunity to send you a harvest!
As you drop your “seeds” in the offering bag, praise Jesus for whatever He has already blessed you with and smile knowing that your money will go on to help others and Jesus will keep on providing for you.
This way of prospering us is by God’s design and is only made possible because of Jesus’ finished work at the cross.
If not for His sacrifice, we’d still be sinners and any money we give towards God’s kingdom would still result in us being cursed and headed for Hell.
This means that when you rely on God’s plan of provision, you may not be the hardest working at your job, but you will receive good ideas from Him that helps your company to prosper.
Somehow your boss will favor you and choose you to be promoted instead of that other hard worker who always works until late.
It means that as you have an inward restful posture, knowing that wealth comes from God’s blessing and the ability to work effectively is by the power of the Holy Spirit and not your own efforts, you will prosper through Grace.
Learn how giving generously will never cause you to become broke and how it will accumulate eternal rewards for you, in my book “Sandcastles Don’t Last Forever”.
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https://www.amazon.com/Sandcastles-Dont-Last-Forever-Biblical/dp/172671327X
#SandcastlesDontLastForever #devotional
