Do you ever wonder what it would be like to be rich? You know, the Warren Buffett kind of rich?
Impossible, you say?
Some people seem to believe that anyone can be rich, except them. I wonder why?
I’ve heard people say, “I’ll never have much money. God knows I’d be full of pride and spend the money foolishly. So, he’ll just keep me poor and humble.”
Seriously?
Of course, it’s people like that who drop $20 a week on lottery tickets, trying to outmaneuver the God who wants them to be poor.
Kind of silly, don’t you agree?
Here’s a thought to consider: God wants you to be rich!
Maybe I didn’t write that clear enough, so here it is again: God wants you to be rich!
How rich? A millionaire? A billionaire?
How rich depends on God’s calling upon your life. Some people are called to have a huge “platform”, representing Jesus to the nations of the world. Others are called to build orphanages, print bibles in multiple languages, supply missionaries with airplanes and other types of transportation, feed and shelter the homeless in our country’s major cities, and finance the new church plant in a third world country. God has his people working all over the globe; and he uses rich people like us to support that work.
Rich enough is God’s kind of rich! Rich enough to give to him that asks. Rich enough to meet the needs of the widow and orphan. Rich enough to help the local church fulfill its God given mandate to minister to all those in its area. Rich enough to supply seed to the sower and bread to the eater. Rich enough to never run out.
I can almost see the frown of disbelief on your face. “Why, I never heard such nonsense! Don’t you know that money is the root of all evil?” Is that what you’re thinking?
First of all, “RICH” is not a money thing. Secondly, it’s “the LOVE of money” that gets people into trouble.
Check these out:
“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.” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NKJV)
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11 NKJV)
“I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lends; and his descendants are blessed.” (Psalm 37:25-26 NKJV)
“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)
Those are just a few examples of God’s will for his people, AND His ability to take care of those who trust in him.
He is rich to all who call upon him. There’s always more than enough, regardless of the need.
“How can I be rich?”, you may ask.
– Get rid of the dollar sign mentality. It’s not about how much YOU have!
– Use what you have faithfully, wisely, with his kingdom in mind
– Develop a giving heart, always looking for opportunities to pour into someone else’s life
– Systematically give, tithing to your local church. Be discipled in giving.
– Be thankful and content with what you have, whether much or little.
– Go after God. Discover his plans and purposes for your life. He will provide the resources.
– Don’t be afraid to sow seeds. Loosen up the fingers of your heart.
– Live for God. Abandon your life to his care, and trust his word.
– Live within your means. Do what you AND God can do to eliminate debt.
– Don’t write bad checks.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the first-fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:5-10 NKJV)
“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:12-13 NKJV)
“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19 NKJV)
To the Christian, life isn’t about the things we enjoy or the money we have in the bank. It’s about how we use what we have for the One who has made us what we are! He will unapologetically cause his riches to flow to and through the ones who have no other life to live but the one he has given! Christ is our life! We are workers together in his kingdom. He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask or even think!
And, he’s able to fund and equip the extraordinary, out of this world, impossible looking projects which he throws us into!
After all, he’s rich enough. And in him, so are we.
Jan Grace 