THE DANGERS OF PROSPERITY: POSSESSIONS CAN POSSESS YOU

BIBLE PASSAGE:
As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into
the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two
very small copper coins. “I tell you the truth,” He said,
“this poor widow has put in more than all the others.
All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth;
but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
(Luke 21:1-4)

MEDITATION:
A man was convicted by God to start tithing on his salary. That meant
that he would give $10.00 per week. God blessed him abundantly and
soon his tithe would be $100.00 per week. However, he didn’t feel that
he could give such a large amount.

You would think that the more he makes, the easier it would be to give.
But that wasn’t the case; possessions have a way of possessing. A person
no longer has things, but things have a person. Prosperity can change a
person’s heart and priorities.

Although this man was still giving, he was giving much less
proportionally than he did BEFORE God blessed him with
much more.

Everyone has the same opportunity to please God because He weighs
the gift not in dollars, but in sacrifice.

Jesus observed those bringing their gifts to the temple. He saw a widow
deposit what we would call “chump change”. However, she did not give
a small offering from her excess, she gave an excess offering from her
limited resources.

As a result, Jesus commended her for her giving. But He did not
commend the rich for the size of their gifts, He commended the
widow for the size of her sacrifice. Why? Because God notices
whenever we give from our heart. Jesus is interested in the heart
that gives, and not the hands that have.

ACTION:
We need to beware of the dangers of prosperity. We should remember
that God is the One who provides our blessings. Examine your heart
and see if it is one Jesus would commend. When God blesses someone
financially, do they stop tithing?

No, not in all cases, but the temptation is there anytime we allow
ourselves to start thinking about how much we are giving away,
rather than focusing on how much we are receiving, and how we
have an our opportunity to prove to God (and ourselves) the depth
of our obedience and love for Him.

Satan wants us to think that as long as we give some amount,
it’s not that important for us to obey God’s command to tithe.
But, look at what God says about the seriousness of failing to
obey Him in this area:
    “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.
    “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’
    “In tithes and offerings. You are under a
      curse—your whole nation—because you
      are robbing me.”
    (Malachi 3:8-9)

Then, look at His promises to those who obey Him in this area:
    Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there
    may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the
    LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the
    floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing
    that there will not be room enough to store it. I will
    prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines
    in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,”
    says the LORD Almighty. “Then all the nations will call
    you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the
    LORD Almighty.
    (Malachi 3:10-12)

We may have thoughts about how financially blessed some
people are who do not obey God, and who do not worship or
believe in Jesus. We need to think more about the positive
results of obeying God, rather than focusing on how others
seem to be blessed without a relationship with God. Look at
what the scriptures say about those who serve Him.
    “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do
      we gain by carrying out his requirements and going
      about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? But
      now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers
      prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they
      get away with it.’”
    Then those who feared the LORD talked with each
    other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of
    remembrance was written in his presence concerning
    those who feared the LORD and honored his name.
    “On the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty, “they
    will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as
    a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him.
    And you will again see the distinction between the righteous
    and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who
    do not.
    (Malachi 3:14-18)

God reminds us that when we believe in, obey, and serve Him,
it does not go unnoticed. It may seem that the ‘wicked’ are being
blessed now, but those who serve and obey God will receive the
greatest blessing ever, which is spending eternity with Him.

Sadly, there are many who will miss out on this blessing. How
does God feel about those who have selfishly chosen to ignore
His invitation for salvation? Look at His words:
    The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some
    understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you,
    not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come
    to repentance.
    (2 Peter 3:9)

God tells us that clearly He does not want to see any of His
creations suffer eternal punishment. His door to salvation
is always open to those who want to walk in. God doesn’t
‘write off’ anyone as a ‘lost cause’, and neither should we.

Instead of allowing our attention to be about how they are
being blessed now, we need to pray for them to come to the
Lord and receive salvation. How long should we pray for
them? We are told to “pray continually”.
    Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks
    in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for
    you in Christ Jesus.
    (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for how You love me and
have blessed me in many ways. Remind me that when I
fail to obey Your command to tithe, I have decided to rob
You of what belongs to You. Teach me to be grateful for
the ninety percent You have blessed me with, rather than
allowing the evil one to convince me that You are taking
away. You are the God of multiplication and not the God
of subtraction. You have promised to bless us even more
when we obey Your commands. Rearrange my thoughts
so that I will focus on the additional blessings You have
for me when I show my love for You through obedience.”

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