“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.

Deuteronomy 8:18 NKJV

This may be a startling revelation to some Christians, but God has actually given us the power to get wealth. This is the first step. Before you can learn the steps to attaining wealth, you have to first acknowledge that wealth is God’s plan for you. I pray by the end of this article the Holy Spirit will quicken this truth to your heart.

And you shall remember the Lord your God…

We as Westerners are at a disadvantage sometimes because we are reading an Eastern book. Do not get me wrong, it applies to Westerners but we must interpret the Bible in the light of the understanding of the people who initially received it. The Bible is a covenant book filled with covenant terminology. “Remember” is a covenant word. When we as Westerners read the word “remember” we think of it as having something stored somewhere back in our mental “hard drive”.  Actually, to “remember” means to have ever before our thinking. So remember (to use a contemporary example) means not to have the Word stored in you mental “hard drive” but rather have it constantly pulled up on the “computer screen” of your consciousness. We have to analyze everything we encounter in the light of the Bible. The main way we practice covenant remembrance is through meditation.

I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your works;
I muse on the work of Your hands.

Psalm 143:5 NKJV

1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.

3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

Psalm 1:1-3 NKJV

 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Joshua 1:8 NKJV

Biblical meditation means to speak, mutter, ponder to one’s self, and imagine. Meditation is the process that gets the scripture from our heads to our hearts. When we study and read the Bible it is like preparing a meal. When we meditate the Word it is like feeding on that meal. To study and not meditate the Word is like preparing an elaborate meal and not feeding upon it.  We meditate by taking a scripture apart in bite sized portions and “chewing on” it over and over. Here is quick non- exhaustive example of meditation taken from Acts 10:38.

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Acts 10:38 NKJV

..how God anointed Jesus of Nazereth…..Christ means the anointed one and His anointing…Here is a glimpse into what Christ means to us…

with the Holy Spirit and with power….Jesus said that we would receive the same power (Gr-dunamis) after that the Holy Spirit has come upon us.

.. who went about doing good… God anointed Jesus to do something….. If we want more anointing we must do something… Jesus did good things… Anything that is not good does not come from the Father or Jesus….  Jesus came to give us life more abundantly….. It is the thief (satan) who steals kills and destroys (John 10:10).

…healing all who were oppressed by the devil… the Bible calls sickness oppression of the devil, not God’s little blessing in disguise…. Jesus healed all.. it is God’s will that everyone be healed…

… for God was with Him. Jesus in the incarnation emptied himself and accepted the limitations of man (Philippians 2:7 Gr)….. So everything Jesus did, He did as a man anointed with the Holy Spirit….. He said the works He does we can do also because He went to the Father….

Another definition of meditation is to imagine. We have to imagine ourselves walking out the provision God has promised us.  It is not enough to imagine God giving someone wealth. We have to see ourselves walking in the provision. We have to see God’s Word speaking to us personally. So when you meditate the scripture  put it in the first person.

When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”

Psalm 27:8 NKJV

God says “I will supply all your needs” (Philippians 4:19). I say “You, God, supply all of my needs”.

God says “I give you power to get wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18). I say “I receive Your power that gives me wealth!”`

For it is He (God) who gives you power to get wealth…

We have to let the Word of God define wealth for us. Some say, “Well brother God just makes us spiritually wealthy”. Really? Let us look at how the Bible defines wealth.

1. An abundance of natural resources.

7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills;

9 a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper.

Deuteronomy 8:7,9 NKJV

1. An abundant supply of food.

8 a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey;

 9 a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity…

10 When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.

Deuteronomy 8:8,9-10 NKJV

3. An abundance in livestock.

when your herds and your flocks multiply…

Deuteronomy 8:13 NKJV

And Abram was very rich in cattle…

Genesis 13:2 NKJV

…..for he (Isaac) had possessions of flocks and herds.

Genesis 26:14 NKJV

Blessed shall be….the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.

Deuteronomy 28:4 NKJV

4. Beautiful homes.

…when you… have built beautiful houses to dwell in them.

Deuteronomy 8:12 NKJV

5. Fine Clothing.

28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;

 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Matthew 6:28-30 NKJV

How do you suppose  Solomon, who threw away silver because he had so much gold, would be clothed?

…I will clothe you with rich apparel.

Zechariah 3:4 Amp

…for her (Tyre or the wicked’s) gain will be for those who dwell before the Lord, to eat sufficiently, and for fine clothing.

Isaiah 23:18 NKJV

Even Jesus’s garment was so expensive that the Roman soldiers gambled for it rather than dividing it (John 19:23-24).

6. Multiplication financially.

And Abram was very rich cattle, in silver and in gold.

Genesis 13:1 NKJV

Now I ask you, was this a spiritual cow? Was this spiritual silver and gold?

And when …your silver and gold are multiplied…

Deuteronomy 8:13 NKJV

He (God) also brought them (His people) out with silver and gold….

Psalm 105:37 NKJV

I the Lord…multiplied her silver and gold…

Hosea 2:8 NKJV

…Who lavished on her silve and gold….

Hosea 2:8 Amplified

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 NKJV

in order that by His poverty you might become enriched (abundantly supplied).

2 Corinthians 8:9 Amplified

7. Freedom from debt.

 For the Lord your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you.

Deuteronomy 15:6 NKJV

The wicked borrow and pay not again [for they may be unable], but the [uncompromisingly] righteous deal kindly and give [for they are able].

Psalm 37:21 NKJV

God does not want us to be a servant to this world system.

The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender.

Proverbs 22:7 NKJV

And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.

Deuteronomy 28:13 NKJV

8. Multiplication of all things.

 Now the land was not able to support them (Abram and Lot), that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together.

Genesis 13:6 NKJV

…and when…all that you have is multiplied…

Deuteronomy 8:13 NKJV

“The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

And the Lord will grant you plenty of goods….

The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand.

Deuteronomy 28:8,11, 12 NKJV

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

2 Corinthians 9:8,11 NKJV

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous in every way.

2 Corinthians 9:11 Common English Bible

32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Matthew 6:32-33 NKJV

Set your heart on the kingdom and his goodness, and all these things will come to you as a matter of course.

Matthew 6:33 J.B. Phillips

Now that we have let the Bible define wealth we have to renew our minds to the fact that God wants us to have wealth.  If poverty would have been the will of God, Adam would not have been put in such a prosperous place. God would have dropped him off in a desert rather than the garden of Eden. And he certainly would not have told him that the gold is good.

And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there.

Genesis 2:12 NKJV

I can hear God telling Adam, “I know some religious joker will try to tell you differently later, but the gold is good.” It is interesting in history every civilization that has quit having gold backing their currency has fallen into financial ruin. God set a law in motion that gold is good. Not only is prosperity God’s will He initiated it. This fact is mirrored in the life of Abraham.

1Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.

2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.

Genesis 12:1-2 NKJV

Notice that God did not call out Abram (who would become Abraham) and Abram say, “I will if you bless me financially”. God initiated prosperity. We read earlier one way that prosperity manifested in Abram’s life just one chapter later.

Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.

Genesis 13:2 NKJV

God’s purpose in blessing Abram and us is also illustrated in the fact that cattle, silver and gold are God’s signature blessings.

For every beast of the forest is Mine,
And the cattle on a thousand hills.

Psalm 50:10 NKJV

You have also taken your beautiful jewelry from My gold and My silver, which I had given you..

Ezekiel 16:17 NKJV

‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts.

Haggai 2:8 NKJV

Do not get me wrong, cattle, silver and gold are not the only way God blesses as we pointed out earlier. I would not know what to do with a cow if I had one. God will bring prosperity to us relative to how our culture defines it. I simply am pointing out the fact that the Holy Spirit orchestrated the events in such a way to illustrate that He was the source of Abram’s blessings.

13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”,

14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Galatians 3:13-14 NKJV

 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3:29 NKJV

We as New Testament believers have a right to claim the same blessings Abraham walked in. We cannot define what Abraham’s (Abram’s) blessings were. We have to allow the Bible to do that. Abram was blessed the equivalent of material prosperity of his day.

David, who God Himself referred to as a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), knew the source of wealth.

Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all.

1 Chronicles 29:12 NKJV

David’s life demonstrated just that. A man who started off as a humble shepherd who was not even invited in when Samuel came to anoint a king in his household, gave a multi billion dollar offering to build the temple.

So he (David) died in a good old age, full of days and riches and honor; and Solomon his son reigned in his place.

1 Chronicles 29:28 NKJV

These are just a few examples of people who walked with God and prospered .The Bible is full of examples of people who, when they were in right relationship to God, increased financially. Isaac, Jacob, Solomon, and Jehoshaphat just to name a few.  I encourage you, do not take my word for it. Study the Word for yourself and you will see it is true.

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 NKJV

It is amazing to me that church people will use this verse that promises wealth and riches to try to talk us out of it! They are so focused on the “Jesus became poor” part that they fail to appropriate the “that you…. might become rich” part. They reason that because Jesus was poor, and He was our example, that we are doomed to poverty as well.

I believe the key to unlocking this verse is in the phrase “for your sakes”. Another words, Jesus became poor as a result of His substitutionary work in redemption. So let us continue in that vein.  So when did Jesus become poor?  We will view it in the light of the rest of His redemptive work.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that Jesus became sin for us (note the word “with” identifying it as part of His substitutionary work).

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

When did Jesus become sin for us? Did He become sin as the little baby in the manger? Did Jesus become sin during His earthly ministry? No. The New Testament clearly tells us at what point He became sin.

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree (cross), that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

1 Peter 2:24 NKJ 

So we see Jesus did not become sin as the little baby in the manger. Nor did He become sin in His earthly ministry. He became sin on the cross in redemption.

The Bible also teaches us that Jesus bore our sicknesses and was literally made sick with our sicknesses.

 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 
      

  Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.

Isaiah 53:3-4 NKJV

“Griefs” is an unfortunate translation of the word in both verse four and five.  According to the Strong’s Concordance the Word “griefs” literally means “sickness”. Hebrew Scholar, Dr. Robert Young even translates it that way in his translation.

He is despised, and left of men, A man of pains, and acquainted with sickness, And as one hiding the face from us, He is despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, And our pains — he hath carried them, And we — we have esteemed him plagued, Smitten of God, and afflicted.

Isaiah 53 :3-4 Young’s Literal Translation

So when did Jesus become sick with our sicknesses? Did Jesus become sick as the little baby in the manger? Did Jesus become sick during His earthly ministry? Not once did Jesus turn to Peter and say, “ Peter, you need to teach for me tonight. I caught the hog flu.”  Also if you continue reading in Isaiah you find out when these events transpired.

But He was wounded for our transgressions, was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5 NKJV

The “stripes” spoken of in this verse speaks of the flogging Jesus received at the hands of the Roman officers. This event was not part of His normal life and ministry, but was accomplished in His redemptive work.

So if Jesus did not become sin as the little baby in the manger or in His earthly ministry, nor did he become sick at that time, why do people reason that He was born poor and remained that way throughout His earthly ministry?  I will agree that leaving heaven and coming to earth and accepting the limitations of humanity would definitely be a step down. But as I pointed out earlier, the phrase “for us” ties it to His redemptive work not His earthly life and ministry.

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

1 Corinthians 5:7 KJV

…Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 KJV

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Romans 8:32 KJV

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:

Galatians 3:13 KJV

We also know from the Bible that Jesus was not poor in His life and ministry because He fulfilled the law.

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

Matthew 5:17-18 NKJV

It is true that Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law. But we forget that the book of Deuteronomy is part of the law.

“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.

Deuteronomy 8:18 NKJV

Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

Deuteronomy 8:18 NLT

If Jesus did not get wealth, He did not fulfill the law.

Some use this passage in Luke 9 to prove that Jesus was poor.

Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Luke 9:57-58 NKJV

Opponents of the prosperity message say, “See there, Jesus had no place to even lay His head. He was a poor peasant.”  This is a prime example of pulling a passage out of its context to prove a point without considering the rest of the passage. Why did Jesus have no place to lay His head? Was it extreme poverty and lack? No. We get the answer only a few verses before.

Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.

Luke 9:51-53 NKJV 

The reason Jesus had no place to rest his head is because the Samaritans refused to let Him come into town. No matter how much money you may have, if you cannot go into town you are going to be sleeping out under the stars.  Jesus was basically telling the guy who wanted to follow him, “If you follow Me, you may have to sleep out under the stars.  Because, they may not let you come into town.”

We see in John 13 that Judas carried Jesus’s money box.

For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.

John 13:29 NKJV

We also see in John’s gospel that Judas was skimming off of the top and “helping himself” to some of that money.

This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

John 12:6 NKJV

If there was not but two dollars in the money box, and Judas stole one, don’t you think someone would have noticed it missing? Jesus had enough money in the box that Judas could steal from it and no one ever notice. Also we see from John 13:29 that the disciples were accustomed to Jesus providing for them. He had anywhere from twelve to seventy as a conservative estimate following Him at any given time. You cannot do that if you are broke.

Jesus wore a garment that was so expensive that the Roman soldiers gambled for it rather than dividing it.

They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “ They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things.

John 19:24 NKJV

Now that we have let the Bible demonstrate that Jesus became poor in redemption, I want to conclude with the passage we began with.

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 NKJV

Jesus came to the earth to demonstrate the faith life including walking in God’s provision of financial abundance.  He then suffered and died and rose from the dead to give us the legal right to walk in that same financial abundance.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

John 14:12 NKJV

Make 100k in instant wealth this month. Live longer. Look younger. Enjoy life. Better sex tonight! Every magazine and new book claims to have the key to all these euphoric and seemingly unattainable nirvanas. Sadly most people, in the back of their minds, believe this total satisfaction with life is only reserved for the individuals they see on reality television. This frame of mind could not be any farther from the truth. Do you need more income, ideas or just enough to buy your next meal? Well, I have an answer for you and, if you act on it, it will change your life forever! Please don’t leave this page without completing this article. You won’t regret it.

Everyone is looking for the next big thing – the investment that will secure their financial futures. It’s not selfish, but intelligent to want to care for yourself and your family. Who doesn’t want to enjoy their life? Most of the issues people are facing today can be rectified in some form or fashion with money. In fact, Ecclesiastes 10:19 says money answers all things. I want to present you with a proposition today. The best investment you’ll ever make—become a Christian and become wealthy, full of life and happier than you’ve ever been.

I know this is contrary to the majority of what you see and hear in regards to Christianity, but lend me your attention. The initial investment may seem huge; however, your profits will immeasurably outweigh your losses in the long run. You see, Christianity is clean and allows you to be totally free. As you continue reading, and before you reject my proposition, I’d like you to consider the fact that every successful person has had to build discipline within him or herself. When these people are unable to maintain control, we see them on a nationally televised press conference or interview apologizing or on their way to prison or rehab. It’s human nature—not Christian nature—to lose control and stray from the correct path.

The Bible promises those who live according to its decrees wealth, success, abundant life, peace, lasting youth family security, knowledge for inventions—and yes, a great love life!

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9

The Instant Wealth Formula

Here’s what you have to do:

1. Give your life to Jesus Christ.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:11-13

2. Find a solid church home.

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. Hebrews 13:7-9

3. Become a tither.

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10

4. Trust God to bless the work of your hands.

The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 28:12

5. Learn to listen to the Holy Spirit within you.

But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. John 16:13 AMP

6. Finally, give your life away and find wealth beyond your wildest dreams.

Whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. Mark 8:35

God promises us in His Word that we live secure even during the most perilous times because we’ve given him the investment of our lives. Here are two corresponding verses.

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “No one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. Mark 10:29-31

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. Psalm 33:18-20

I’m telling you this stuff works. Countless lives have been changed for the better because someone gave their life to Christ. People who were homeless are now homeowners. Marriages that were over are now fully restored. Depression and suicidal thoughts have been eradicated forever. Addictions and alternate lifestyles of every kind are no match for the power of Jesus. Others have come out of prison and are now impacting thousands for good. Go ahead, do some research and see for yourself. You already have the initial investment in hand. All you have to lose is the misery you’re in right now—let it go forever. Everything you could ever want (that is not born from evil) can be obtained by living in the wealth that Christ provides. There is Scripture to act and stand on for whatever you need or want. Seek Him out and receive instant wealth today!

—Jeremiah 32:17-20

Everyone is looking for a sure thing. Security is a commodity sought after even in prosperous times. A lifetime guarantee that everything will be well for you and your family would be quite a calming assurance. God said through the prophet Jeremiah that the effect of righteousness would be quietness and confidence forever. Doesn’t that sound like a guarantee? A secure home, an undisturbed place of rest and blessing are certainly things I want for my life. My friends, such a guarantee does indeed exist—it’s God’s Covenant.

Even if you’re flat broke, jobless and homeless, you can get in on this. You can earn four figures or six, it doesn’t matter to God. The nation you were born in will not inhibit The Covenant’s ability to change your life. All you have to do is believe—it’s as simple as that. Abraham believed and entered into that Covenant. Today, The Blessing of Abraham comes upon us when we enter into The Covenant through Christ.

This is The Covenant—the lesser being blessed by the greater and God swearing to bless you! All you have to do is agree and act. There is security in God’s Covenant. Study the lives of biblical people who walked in The Covenant. Old and New Testament—they overcame every trial. When human err affected them, The Covenant was still in tact. In the Old Testament, it was sealed with an animal’s blood. For you and me, it is Jesus’ blood.  Let’s look at Hebrews:

When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, He swore by Himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

—Hebrews 6:16-20

Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.

—Hebrews 7:22

Regardless of circumstances, The Covenant offers security. It was designed for those who agree with God to live in His comfort and provision at all times. God does not show favoritism. Anyone who chooses to enter into God’s Covenant is assured protection, peace and, yes, prosperity. Psalm 84 is one of my favorites. It concludes by saying, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.”

Cain and Abel both brought offerings to God, but Abel obviously believed what He had been taught by his father about The Father. Abel was counted as faithful and righteous because his belief caused him to act in obedience. Noah believed and was therefore obedient when God told him to build the ark. And Abraham, who is the father of our faith, was considered righteous because he believed God. Abraham’s act of obedience again ushered in The Covenant. What does this have to do with you? How does this help you deal with whatever challenges you are currently facing?

All of these men were ordinary people who responded to God’s call and accepted His invitation into The Covenant. Today, you are invited to do the same by way of Jesus Christ. Enter the security that comes with life in The Covenant. Yes, that includes the tithe. But before you get uptight about that, remember First John 5:2-3 which states, “This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome….” Jesus also encourages us this way in Matthew 11:28-30, “ ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ “ Tithing is simply an act of obedience. It’s not meant to be a burdensome unbearable yoke. Besides, most of us don’t own livestock, so cash is easier. And for those of us who do, we still can’t bring our best cow or goat to put in the offering Sunday morning!

The Covenant ensures security and ushers in The Blessing. It’s not complicated. Just believe and act. The Kingdom of God is immune to economic downturns, epidemics and mass panic. God can not lie. He wants to bless you, and earth’s conditions will never change that. Psalm 89:34 reminds us, “ I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered.” God has and has always had a wonderful plan for your life. Find out what God wants you to do and just do it. Choose Jesus Christ and The Covenant today—your life will NEVER be the same.

Every committed parent wants their children to be happy, strong and successful. And, we who are in covenant with God expect more—we expect our seed to walk in The Blessing. However, this does not happen automatically.

The promises of the Lord, including those in the Deuteronomy 28:1-14, are based on the If/Then Principle. If you adhere to the command or take the action on it, then you will receive the accompanying promise. In the opening passage Jesus said, “If you abide (or remain) in me.” The same verbiage is used in Deuteronomy, “If you fully obey these commands,” and “If you refuse to obey these commands.” So if you want your children to live in The Blessing, then, you must sow the Word; and, at the proper time, it will activate The Blessing.

Jacob’s children are a good example to look to for insight on this truth. Genesis 37 begins the story of Jacob and his sons. The Bible does not record what type of father Jacob had been to his older sons, but it is clear in the text that he took more time sowing into his then youngest son, Joseph. As a result, God began using Joseph at a young age through prophetic dreams.

It is also apparent in this chapter that the older sons were in fact living off the benefits of The Blessing in their father’s life. This is what many young people who were brought up in Christian homes are doing today. They have no regard for the source of their blessed lifestyle nor do they recognize the dedication it took by their parents to get there. So going to church once or twice a week and taking a trip with the youth group is just something they do to keep the nagging down and their allowances up. Joseph’s brothers prove this when they immediately blame him for the troubles they had with their father. They concluded that by getting rid of him, they could return to life as usual—that is, they could continue to pull the wool over their elderly father’s eyes. But ultimately, who was to blame for this bitter sibling rivalry?

When Joseph, who had been trained in righteousness, brought back an evil report (v.2), his brother’s turned on him. In the years and trials that followed, The Blessing was activated in Joseph’s life. He had not been spoiled and he was not ungrateful. Joseph was aware of Who had blessed his father Jacob and why. I imagine that since Jacob was older when he had Joseph, he was more reflective and probably spent a great deal of time telling Joseph about his own trials. Surely Jacob shared with Joseph about how he fled from home as a youngster, made a covenant with God, and became more blessed than he could’ve imagined—and Joseph took it all in.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Joseph had been properly trained in the way of the Lord. Consequently, he was able to stand through humiliating adversity and save his entire family.

What good is it to live in covenant with God and have The Blessing on your life only to have it trampled on and squandered by your own children? Moses commanded in Deuteronomy 6:7, “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” The word impress really stands out to me in this passage. Your life lived in The Blessing should have an impression on your seed—a life changing one.

It is your responsibility to sow the Word into their hearts and teach them to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness above all else. They learn from you how to be Christians, husbands, wives, moms and dads. Your children should know that you tithe and why you do so. The Word must be sown into them in order for them to truly inherit The Blessing. I often say, “I must be what I want my children to be.” This is a tall order and definitely holds my feet to the fire where my children are concerned.

Whenever I see some unpleasant trait or behavior in my son or daughter, I immediately conduct a self analysis. God blessed me with the responsibility of preparing His children for their destiny. They must know His Word and recognize Him as the source of all Blessing. If you succeed in doing this, then you will see The Blessing in the lives of your children just as Jacob saw it in Joseph’s.

They only get to be children once, but that time will affect their entire lives. For some, this is confirmation. For others, it’s a wake up call. Yes, I know it’s work. But the rewards are multigenerational and literally priceless. This was also a command of Moses in Deuteronomy (Chapter 4:9). God wanted to ensure that The Blessing endured.

Continuously remind your children of how and why they enjoy the things they enjoy. Impress upon them that without a real relationship with the Source, they’ll never be truly happy, successful or strong. You sow the Word and, at the proper time, The Blessing will carry your children to their destiny in Him.

(Please understand I am not being critical of precious people who have thought this way, we have all missed it in some area or the other.)  The Bible teaches however that Jesus our High Priest is easily touched with our infirmities.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15 KJV)

How we pray determines our effectiveness in receiving from the Lord.

You ask, and do not receive, because you ask wrongly…. (James 4:3a Greens Literal Translation)

We have to pray according to God’s prescribed methods, found in His Word, if we want to be in position to receive from God. Cain approached God his own way and his offering was rejected (Genesis 4:4-5, Hebrews 11:4).

1. When you pray you must believe you have right standing with God.

II Corinthians 5:21 says that if you are in Christ you are the righteousness of God in Christ. I you are not in Christ, receiving the New Birth is not hard. Although human religions make it difficult, God made it easy. Simply pray:

“Lord Jesus, I believe you died for me, I believe you rose from the dead. I receive you as Lord. Lord, You said, whosoever would come to you; you would no wise cast out. So I receive your forgiveness now in Jesus Name. AMEN”

You may say, “but you don’t know what I have done”. II Corinthians 5:20 says that God is not keeping score and keeping a record of our sins. The only sin that can separate us from God and send us to hell is rejecting the Lordship of Jesus.

Now that we have accepted Jesus as our Lord we have right standing with God. If you have right standing with God and been made righteous you can expect your praying to produce results.

The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results. (James 5:16b New Living Translation)

2. You must know what God’s Word says about healing and health.

… “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.” (Exodus 15:26 New King James Version)

“I will put” is an unfortunate translation of this passage. God never has and never will put sickness on anyone. Jesus said that anything that kills, steals and destroys comes from the devil and that He only brings things that bring life more abundantly (John 10:10). According to Robert Young, a noted Hebrew scholar, many passages in the Old Testament in our English translations that say that God did certain things should have been translated “allowed”. In the Hebrew language (from which the Old Testament is translated) has no verbs for “allow”. That verse should be translated , ..I will allow none of these diseases to be put on you…”.

Notice, also, that God identifies Himself as “healer”. This is one of what has come to be known as the Covenant Names of God. In Biblical culture when two families made a covenant they would state the terms of their covenant agreement. If either family failed to uphold their end of the covenant agreement it would result in a death sentence because you violated this sacred oath. Hebrews 5:13 says that God swore by Himself because there was no greater to swear by. What does this mean? God was saying if He failed to uphold His agreement with Abraham and his descendants (which includes you and me, see Galatians 3:29), that He would self destruct! So when God identified Himself as healer He could no longer withhold healing from anyone without self destruction. Don’t worry that will never happen for it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18).

Surely He (Jesus) has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…And by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4a-5 NKJV)

Although there are many debates in Christian circles about this passage, there is no debate that this passage speaks of Jesus’ redemptive work. In other words, this passage foretells part of what Jesus would accomplish through His death, burial , and resurrection. Both “griefs” and “sorrows” is a little blind to us. According to Strong’s Concordance the word translated “griefs” should be translated sickness. And “sorrows” should be translated pain or mental anguish.

Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment],… (Isaiah 53:4a Amplified Bible)

Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, And our pains — he hath carried them,… (Isaiah 53:4a Young’s Literal Translation)

Notice also how Matthew quotes Isaiah 53:4.

When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:  “ He Himself took our infirmities  And bore our sicknesses.” (Matthew 8:16-17 NKJV)

Not only does Matthew, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, use the words “sickness” and “infirmity”, he also uses it in the context of physical healing. Jesus ultimately took our sicknesses and diseases at the same time as He took our sins upon Himself in redemption. This principle is mirrored by the apostle Peter when he quotes Isaiah 53:5 in his letter.

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. (I Peter 2:24 NKJV)

The stripes refer to the beating Jesus received at the hands of the Roman soldiers with a whip. The Roman whip was braided with stone, bones, and hooks that literally tore the flesh from Jesus body.  It is interesting to note that Isaiah looking foreward to redemption said “are healed” and Peter looking back said “were healed”. The Old Testament believers were walking in the benefit of what Jesus did although it had not played out on the canvas of time. How much more should we walk in the benefit of it now that it is a done deal in Christ!

Beloved I wish above all things that you may prosper in all things and be in health, even as your soul prospers. (III John 2 NKJV)

If you believe that this is truly the Word of God then you must acknowledge that this is an expression of the will of God. AS I mentioned earlier, many precious people pray, “Lord, heal me if it be our will.” Not realizing that they are calling God a liar and they are praying in unbelief. God cannot respond to a prayer such as that. God’s Word and His will are synonymous. According to Hebrews 1:3 in the New Living Translation, everything about Jesus “represents God exactly”. The New King James Version of the same passage calls Jesus the express image of  God the Father’s person. I challenge you to find one incident in the gospel accounts where Jesus refused healing to anyone who came to Him in faith. Simply put if Jesus is the will of God in action, then the Father will not refuse healing to anyone who comes to Him in faith.

And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. (James 5:15 NKJV)

Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, (Psalm 103:2-3 NKJV)

According to the previous passage if you deny that God heals all our diseases (not just some) then you have no basis to believe He forgives your iniquities or sins. You cannot pick and choose. You have to believe all of it or none. Thank God we do have forgiveness of sins but also the provision of health for our physical bodies.

We also have to know from the Word of God that what God does for one He wills to do for everyone.

“Now I really see that God shows no partiality…” (Acts 10:34 C. B. Williams)

If God chose to heal some while leaving others sick, He would be showing partiality.  I will refer you again to Jesus, the will of God in action, we do not have one account of Him saying, “I know I healed others but it is not the Father’s will to heal you. Go and suffer more you nasty thing.” No! Everyone who came to Jesus in faith was healed.

Jesus Christ the same, Yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 New King James Version)

3.     We must ask in faith in accordance with the Word of God.

And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. (James 5:15 NKJV)

Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour. (Matthew 8:13 NKJV)

And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”   And their eyes were opened. (Matthew 9:28-29 NKJV)

But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:24b-23 NKJV)

Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.” (Mark 9:23 The Message)

“Did I not tell you”, replied Jesus, “that if you believed, you would see the wonder of what God can do?” (John 11:40 J.B. Phillips)

Therefore, [inheriting] the promise is the outcome of faith and depends [entirely] on faith, in order that it might be given as an act of grace (unmerited favor), to make it stable and valid and guaranteed to all his descendants–not only to the devotees and adherents of the Law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, who is [thus] the father of us all. (Romans 4:16 NKJV)

How do we get faith?

So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17 NKJV)

When you read scriptures pertaining to healing (or whatever you need) faith comes.  I recommend you read them aloud sometimes. Even as you are reading these words with ears to hear and an open heart, notice that many of you have a note of joy and peace that arises in your spirit. That note of joy and peace is faith arising in your heart.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NKJV)

Thank God that He made faith easy. Say healing scriptures over and over to yourself and faith will come. And your faith will make a demand on the power and provision of God and bring into manifestation your healing!

4. We must understand that healing is a done deal in Christ.

We touched on this earlier but we have to get it in our hearts about the past tense of redemption and healing. Have you ever seen the cartoon with a donkey chasing a carrot tied to a stick tied to him. Now matter how fast he runs he can never catch the carrot out in front of him. This illustrates many believer’s approach to divine healing. They put healing as something God is going to do out in the future. Sadly, many never get their healing apart from the operation of the gifts of the spirit (which operate as God wills). The fact is that God did something about our healing 2000 years ago. Although Jesus purchased our redemption from sin 2000 years ago we did not reap the benefits until we laid hold onto it by faith. The same is true with our healing. Jesus already carried away our sicknesses and purchased our healing. Sickness has no legal right to exist in our body. But we must exercise our God given dominion over that sickness and disease.

For all the promises of God in Him are yes and in Him amen (so be it), to the glory of God through us. (II Corinthians 1:20 NKJV)

Some religious folks say, “Sometimes God answers, ‘yes’, and sometimes God answers, ‘no’ and sometimes He answers, ‘maybe’.  But the Bible (you know, the book you wag to church every Sunday) says that God always answers “yes” to His promises and never says “no”. Healing is more than a promise, it is an accomplished fact.  When we speak the Word of God over our situation we are activating spiritual law. And the same power that created the universe  is at your disposal to bring healing and health.

I will bless you with a future filled with hope–a future of success, not of suffering. – Jeremiah 29:11 (Contemporary English Version)

If you study the Old Testament, you’ll see that no matter how often man disobeyed God, God would still develop a plan to bless them. Starting with Adam and Eve, God placed them in a garden with all kinds of blessing and good things, and, He gave them dominion over the earth and everything in it. God’s plan was for man to rule the earth.

27So God created humans to be like himself; he made men and women. 28God gave them his blessing and said:

Have a lot of children! Fill the earth with people and bring it under your control. Rule over the fish in the ocean, the birds in the sky, and every animal on the earth.

29I have provided all kinds of fruit and grain for you to eat. – Genesis 1:27-29 (Contemporary English Version)

Even after Adam and Eve (they both ate of the fruit) disobeyed God and became disconnected from the original plan, God had a replacement plan ready to go. He decided to give His only Son (Jesus) to deal with Satan and everything that he has stolen from man.

15 I will make you and the woman enemies to each other. Your descendants and her descendants
will be enemies. One of her descendants will crush your head, and you will bite his heel.” – Genesis 3:15 (New Century Version)

Whatever you’re going through right now or whatever you’ve been through, rest assured that God has a good plan for you. He created you to do good things and live up to the potential that He put inside of you. Even if you’ve intentionally walked off of the path that He prepared in advance for you, He will create new plan that will put you on an intercept course to do what is best for you and to receive His Blessing.

“10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” – Ephesians 2:10 (New Living Translation). All of us were created to be God’s masterpiece. He has a good plan for each of us, if we choose to accept His will for our lives and follow the path that he has determined in advance for us to follow. If you’re ready to find out what God’s good plan is for your life, the first step is to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If you’ve never done that before, find out how to receive salvation.

If you have already received Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life but are not walking in the plan that He has for you, there’s great news. It’s never too late to connect to God and His plan for your life. If you have sin in your life, turn away from it and ask God for forgiveness. “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” – 1 John 1:9 (New Living Translation).

What’s the Next Step?

Once you’ve made Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior and have received forgiveness of your sins, it’s time to receive the power of the Holy Spirit. I’ll explore this subject in greater detail in the next article.

Note: This article was inspired by Gloria Copeland’s book, God’s Master Plan for Your Life. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to tap into God’s plan.

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. – 3 John 2

You may have read this passage in John many times, but today, make an effort to really focus on what prospering means to you. Make it personal. Think about as you read these words, what prosperity, true prosperity, looks like or would like in your life. Get a mental picture of this and hold onto it. Don’t wait, do it right now. If you are truly prosperous, how to you act, who is around you, what do you have, where do you live, and most importantly why are you prosperous.

It’s Okay to Prosper

If you had a difficult time imagining prosperity in your life, you may need to renew your mind to what God has really said about prospering you. The best way to do this is to consider passages from the Bible. As Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Now, don’t let the scripture you are about to read just sink into your intellect, take hold of it and let it be absorbed into your heart. Then, as soon as you possibly can, act on the Word that you read.

Even though 3 John 2 clearly says it’s God’s will to prosper you, you may still be stuck on a familiar saying, which is “money is the root of all evil”. This is from the Bible but it is missing three critical words. Read the scripture directly from the Bible from 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Notice, that it says, the love of money. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, you can fall into the trap of loving it.

Quick Tip: Start thinking of money as a tool. If you use a tool in the right way, you can do amazing things. For example, if you use a hammer appropriately, you can build a house. However, there are many people who have used a hammer very inappropriate ways, even to commit murder.

God’s desire is for you to prosper. See, how the Psalmist states it in Psalm 35:27, “Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.” Think about that for a second, God gets pleasure when His servant prospers. You can make God happy by doing well. That is so awesome!

Prosperity Is More Than Money

When you envisioned what your life would look like if you were truly prosperous, did you see more than things money can buy? Did you see happiness and love? If you did, that is very good because prosperity includes every area of your life. You should experience prosperity in your relationships, in your emotional well-being, in your spiritual development, in your knowledge and wisdom, in your finances, and every other area of your life.

You have no doubt seen or know someone with lots of money who is miserable. If this is the case, then, you know that just having money is not really experiencing prosperity. In fact, with the exception of money, some of those people are experiencing lack in one or more of the other areas in their life. What good is money if you don’t have people around you who love you? What good is money if you are too sick to enjoy it? What good is money if it causes you so much stress that you have no joy in your life?

Use Your Prosperity to Bless Others

Instead of being a reservoir, which collects water, consider becoming a river, which channels water. When we are prospered, it is not only for us to enjoy the fruits, but it is also to share and help others.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:

“He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.- 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

We are called to help those in need as Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” When you live in prosperity, which God wants you to do, then you will have the means necessary to help others. What a wonderful place that is to be.

You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
—Psalm 65:11 NIV

Don’t look at what the world is experiencing. The Lord has already crowned this year with bounty! Remember He is the Ancient of Days. He knows all things and holds time in His hand. Everything He created was called good. In order to experience the Blessing all year long, we need to remind ourselves daily of Psalm 118:24 which says, “This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!” That’s 365 blessed days and it equals a year crowned with bounty!

In the beginning God created. What did He create—time, days and seasons for people to enjoy. And, He said it was all good. Genesis 1:31 recounts, “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” So regardless of what the media, politicians or your co workers are saying, THIS YEAR IS GOOD AND WILL BE GOOD BECAUSE GOD CREATED IT. Furthermore, His reason for making it good was and still is for His children to enjoy.

A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
—Deuteronomy 11:12

His eyes are upon you if you are in covenant with Him. This is included in our Blessing. The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all he has made (Psalm 145:6). And we have biblical proof that anything God makes is bountiful, blessed and flowing with abundance. This should be our experience no matter what year it is or the economic status of our country. As a matter of fact, I believe when the world has lean times, it is a better opportunity for God to show off in our lives. People will want to know why and how our days and years continue to prosper.

Finally I’d also like you to meditate on God ending things the same way He began. Creating. Revelation gives us a glimpse. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal (Revelation 21:1-2, 10-11). This sounds like bounty to me! If none of the other verses convinced you, just focus on these. They will remind you of how the Lord is living and His expectations for you this year and every year until His return. He created it, crowned it and blessed it and He expects you to have a blessed year from beginning to end.

Be blessed friends and have the perfect day everyday!
Psalm 138:8
—Shontta

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. – 1 Timothy 6:10 (King James Version)

Notice that this passage says the LOVE OF MONEY. This is a heart condition not a financial condition.

A poor person can love money just as much as a rich person.

Money, by itself, is neutral. It is neither good or evil. However, it is a powerful instrument. Whether the instrument is used as a weapon of destruction or a channel for blessing is strictly dependent upon the POSSESSOR of it. If it’s in your heart to do good, then money in your hands will be used to help people. If it’s in your heart to do evil, your money will be used for your own selfish pleasures.

PROSERITY THROUGH OBEDIENCE

With money, comes responsibility. When you have money, you have the ability to change your world and the world of others. This ability is not limited to money; however, money, in a very practical way, makes things possible that simply can’t be achieved without it. As an example, how will missionaries be sent to China or Africa or anywhere else without a plane ticket? How will you buy a ticket without money?

There is a right way to prosper and a wrong way. The right way is submitting to God’s plan, purpose, and will for your life. If you do this, then, you have can experience wealth without the problems:

The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. – Proverbs 10:22 (King James Version)

One of the first things that you need to do after being saved is to get into financial covenant with God. How do you do this? Through the tithe. The tithe is sometimes a controversial subject because it hits people right where it matters — in the heart. Do you love God more than you love money? What hold first place in your life?
8Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

- Malachi 3:8-10 (King James Version)

There are some people, even preachers, who will say that the tithe is not for today. However, this doesn’t make sense. The principle of giving first fruits was demonstrated since the beginning of man. Even Adam was asked to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

16And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

- Genesis 2:16,17

Adam’s sons brought offerings to God. Notice that Abel’s offering included the first-born of his flock, and it was accepted. Cain brought fruit of the ground, but not the first, and it was not accepted.

3And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

6And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

- Genesis 4:3-7

These examples, as well as that of Abraham and others, were before the Law was ever given to Moses. To give you further confirmation that the tithe is just as relevant today as ever, consider the following passage:

18And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

19And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

20And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

- Genesis 14:18-20

As great as Abram (later God changed his name to Abraham) was, he gave a tenth of all the plunder to Melchizedek, priest of the most high God. We see in the passage below that Jesus’ priesthood is in the order of Melchizedek. There are only two situations where Melchizedek is mentioned in the Bible. First, he is mentioned in relationship to Abraham giving him the tithe. Second, he is mentioned in relationship to Jesus, who is our high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. – Hebrews 6:20

If you really want to understand this priesthood, and how it relates to Aaron’s priesthood, read Hebrews chapter seven. This chapter is very clear on the tithe, and giving it to Jesus, the one declared to be living. If you are not currently tithing, start immediately. Don’t let religion, selfishness, or greed rob you of Abraham’s Covenant Blessing.