0269 God Wants You Rich

GOD WANTS YOU RICH

Money is a big part of our life (5 out of 7 days we work. 8 out of 24 hours we work). Work is not curse - 2350 verses on money. Twice as much as on faith and prayer combined - 15% of everything Jesus taught was on money. More than hell and heaven combined - 1/3 of parables dealt with money. 16 out of 38 parables - 1 out of every 7 verses in three gospels deals with money - The only subject Jesus spoke less than money was Kingdom of God First river in the garden had gold and land had gold (Gen.2:11-12) Money was the issue of first defeat in promise land, life of Judah, and early church Family – Adam to promise land Armies – Joshua to Jesus’ death Religion – Rome to Middle Ages Politics – Middle Ages to Communism Business – Communism till now “anything that makes money do it” Golden rule: those who have gold make the rule. Those with money have power and influence Rich’s mans wealth is his strong city; destruction of the poor is their poverty (Prov.10:15; 18:11) Wealth makes many friends but poor is separated from his friend (Prov.19:4) Poor man’s wisdom is despised (Ecc.9:15-16)

Gospel is not prosperity. Gospel is Jesus and kingdom. Money meets needs not changes hearts Money is the donkey for the gospel but money is not the gospel

God is Not Against Wealth (because He is wealthy Himself, by holy because I am holy) Abraham was father of faith and friend of God yet he was very rich David was man after God’s heart yet he was rich. Gift 21 billion dollars as an offering Wealth condemned: love for it (Pharisees), trust in it (young ruler), and wrong way of obtaining it (Zacchaeus) God is not against you having wealth but against wealth having you Poverty doesn’t make you holy but selfish God owns all the wealth as king of universe. God gives power to get wealth. God makes people rich Heaven is made of gold and very expensive material not a trailer house God’s house: ark of covenant – covered inside and out with gold; God’s house: temple - 7 ½ years to build; $174,000,000,000 trillion (122 million house) 153,600 (foreign) + 30,000 (Israelites) = 183,000 workers Jesus’ b-day gift; house; treasurer; tunic; supporters; new donkey; spikenard; rich tomb Jesus was poor on the cross not on earth (2 Cor.8:9) Apostolic church: there was none who was lacking (Acts 4:34)

God is God of More Than Enough (Eph.3:20; 2 Cor.9:8; Luke 6:38; Mal.3:10) Three levels of provision: not enough, just enough and more than enough First verse is provision but fifth verse is prosperity (Ps.23) Jehovah Jireh “Provider” (salvation, healing, freedom, prosperity) & Jehovah El Shaddai “Supplier” Jesus – the Jireh – 12 baskets left (Mt.14:20) Jesus – the El Shaddai – came to give life and more abundantly (John 10:10) Wealth of the wicked stored up for the righteous (Prov.13:22; Ex.3:21-22) God has pleasure in prosperity of His servants (Ps.35:27)

Blessing Brings Wealth (Prov.10:22) Blessing is not riches; riches don’t bring blessing (sex is not love; fruit is not tree) Blessing is apple pie which has many pieces Blessing is the root to riches Jacob got the blessing and blessing brought riches. Jacob wrested for blessing not protection Joseph lost the influence and position but not blessing Job lost riches but not the blessing Seek first the Kingdom of God and all things will be added (Mt.6:33) Two category of people: blessed or cursed (not rich or poor) Blessing follows obedience not riches (Deut.28:1) Prodigal son had money but not blessing, Jacob had blessing not money The prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:10) “honorable yet in pain - cursed” If you disobeyed – cry out for blessing like Jacob