So, You Want to be Rich?!
Deuteronomy 8:18
And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
The word “power” in Hebrew means vigor, strength, force, capacity, wealth, means, or substance. Generally the word means “capacity” or “ability,” whether physical, mental, or spiritual. Here Moses informs the children of Israel that the Lord Himself is the one who gives to them the ability, the wherewithal (power, means, endurance, capacity) to obtain wealth, for material blessings are a part of what is included in the promises to the men and women in the Bible, the patriarchs and their descendants. In Deuteronomy 8:17, Moses seriously warns the Israelites not to falsely conclude that this capacity for material blessings and success is a natural ability and talent, but to humbly acknowledge and recognize that what they are blessed with only and truly comes from God. Here’s a big truth—God prospers us so that we can bless others. Wealth doesn’t exist so that we can hoard or heap it up to splurge on ourselves over and over again. Wealth, when we have been so blessed, should exist to establish and shine brightly to show others the verification of the covenant that is ours with Him. It should not be hoarded or squandered selfishly on ourselves. This isn’t to cancel out the understanding that God wants our own personal needs to be met, and to even have our heart’s desires. But after our needs are met, what are we to do with the access surplus of God’s blessings on our lives? Can we actually live in more than one house at a time? Here’s the truth plainly spoken—Our heavenly Father desires that we use our abundance to bless others, especially those who without whatever we can do, would have no chance or opportunity in this lifetime to better themselves in any way. God wants us to have wealth. Slow down and study the Scriptures to hear His heart and thinking on the matter. But know this—money is only a part of wealth. Someone can have billions and still be very poor. Being wealthy is more than having tons of money and things. We need great wisdom both 1) to receiving God’s covenant of prosperity— to be able to handle gaining wealth without it controlling us; and 2) to see its vastness and intent for every part of our being—that with wealth and health, peace and friends—the bottom line is we humbly are to serve others. God’s covenanted prosperity always has great purpose. He will direct, challenge, and most importantly take us deeper into knowing Him, knowing His thoughts and direction for those He would use us to bless with the wealth He has given.
What about you? What would you do with your life if God blessed you with great wealth? Would you forget about God and do your own thing, or would you find great joy in blessing others? Search your heart today. See where your real treasure is, piled up here on earth, or building spiritual treasures in heaven? Are you willing to be a great blessing to others? I pray you are. Great multiplied blessings on your day.
