“God wants Me Rich”
Deuteronomy 8:18 (NASB) But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
People read this verse and say,”See, God wants me rich!” It is true that it is God who gives His people the power to gain wealth. But the same Bible also says to prosper you must not be lazy, not be a fool, and you must be generous.
Don’t be lazy! Proverbs 10:4 (NIV) Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
A man went into a shoe repair store in his hometown that he had not been in for almost twenty years. He found everything just the way he remembered it. He went up to the counter and asked the man about a pair of shoes that he had left there for a heel repair almost 20 years ago. “One minute. I’ll check,” replied the man. A few minutes later, the repair man came back. “Well,” said the man. “They’ll be ready Tuesday.”
Sitting on the couch, watching tv, and eating chips do not bring income. You can not quote scriptures about God’s prosperity and not work hard and then expect to gain wealth. Proverbs says the “hand of the diligent is made rich, but the lazy hand will be put to forced labor.” Work conscientiously for your employer and God can bless that.
Don’t be foolish! Matthew 7:25-27 (NIV) The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
The word “fool” in the Bible does not refer to being uneducated, slow thinking, or having a low IQ. Fool means rebel. The fool has heard what God says to do, and says, “No. I will live life the way I want to.” Even if he gets wealth, there is a storm coming.
Do be generous. Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV) Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Honoring God with the first of your income is the beginning of generosity. Scripture teaches to give to: the work of God (tithe-the first 10%), to the servant of God, and to the poor. Just the thought of giving the way God says, makes some people have a stroke. Solomon, the richest man ever, said “The generous man prospers.” Honoring God and being generous will never hurt you. Being tight-fisted will.
God does have a plan for you to prosper. Really! Do it His way.