The Purpose Of Wealth!  By James Lantz

Since God is the One who sets up kingdoms and removes kingdoms, the One who empowers us to obtain wealth or with holds His blessing, we would do well to attend to His words. When Hannah brought little Samuel to Eli the priest in fulfillment of her vow, she included these words in her prayer.  1 Sam. 2:7  The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.  vrs. 8  He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and he hath set the world upon them.  The blessing of the Lord will actually pursue and overtake those who do God’s bidding!  Deut. 28:2  And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.  Moses goes on to write that serving the Lord with joyfulness and gladness of heart for the abundance of all is the mandatory lifestyle for living free from the curse. Riches and wealth are a great help in accomplishing God’s purposes in the earth but our focus and priority is to be on establishing God’s covenant in the earth.  Deut. 8:18  But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.  The context in Deuteronomy eight is 

Recognize, Remember, And Respond To The One Who Sustains You!

that every good thing that we have is a gift from our Father in heaven and therefore we should be about what pleases Him! Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy eight when He refuted satan’s temptation, declaring that He is nurtured and sustained by the word of God.  Luke 4:4  And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.  After Jesus refused to yield to the lust of the flesh, satan then tempted Him through the lust of the eyes, offering Him all the kingdoms of this world and its wealth without obedience to the Father. Jesus didn’t fall for satan’s trap knowing that shortly He would regain everything through conquest that Adam had lost in the betrayal. There is a correct way for God’s people to live in abundance and that is for us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and allow God to add it to us. As the blessing of the Lord brings increase into our life it allows us to accomplish more for the kingdom and thus receive a greater reward. The Psalmist declares that the blessing of the Lord comes on those of us who praise and reverence Him, delighting greatly in His commandments.  Psalms 112:3  Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.  God’s great desire to bless those who love and reverence Him is also revealed through Solomons dream! The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night and asked, what shall I give you. Solomon’s desire was to be a good ruler over God’s people as his father David had, so he asked God to give him an understanding heart that he might discern good from bad.  1 Kings 3:11-14  And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. 

God still takes delight in blessing His people with riches because He is a good God and He does not change. The truth is that every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places is already ours in Christ Jesus! What God has provided in the realm of the spirit must be manifested through the hand of faith. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of poverty.  Gal. 3:13&14  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.  I think it helps to think of the word rich as meaning an abundant supply rather than some tremendous amount which you do not have. We who are believing for bigger and better must keep our love and focus on pleasing our Master, and being thankful for what God has already given us!  1 Tim. 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

A man came to Jesus asking Him to talk to his brother about dividing the inheritance with him.  Luke 12:14  And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?  Then Jesus took this opportunity to warn those around Him, saying, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.  Jesus followed this warning up with a parable exposing covetousness in a rich man. This man’s desire was greater for that which was created than for His Creator and thus it was idolatry.  Luke 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Believers today who are rich in this world are commanded not to be high minded nor to trust in uncertain riches, but rather trust in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy! Immediately after referring to God’s abundance the Spirit of God directs us to use our wealth to magnify God’s goodness.  1 Tim. 6:18 NLT  Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.  These scriptures make it plain that God’s blessing is for our enjoyment and to establish His covenant in the earth! The tithe belongs to God and we enter into sowing and reaping through our offerings. This is the area that allows us to move quickly into multiplication and increase!  2 Cor. 9:6  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  There is great revelation here for those of us who have ears to hear! God is telling us that the size of our harvest is determined more by the amount that we sow than on Him who blesses the seed sown. It is true that we need to be led by the Spirit of God in where to sow, how much to sow, and to whom, but if our heart is not open to sow we miss out on the harvest also.  Luke 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.