How Do You Spell Blessed?

"Why do the wicked live and become old, Yes, become mighty in power? Their descendants are established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them. Their bull breeds without failure; Their cow calves without miscarriage. They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance. They sing to the tambourine and harp, And rejoice to the sound of the flute. They spend their days in wealth, And in a moment go down to the grave. Yet they say to God, ‘Depart from us, For we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?"- Job 21: 7-15

There was a TV commercial some years ago that asked the question - "How do you spell RELIEF?" The answer was R-O-L-A-I D-S (Rolaids - tastes like a mint, works like a miracle!) Who says that advertising doesn't make an impression on our minds???  Reading in the Book of Job as he grappled with the disasters that had befallen him - trying to reason it all out. He had lived a life that honored God and yet one disaster after another had come upon him and yet when he looked around he could see people who did not honor God with their lives living - essentially - trouble free. 

"for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." - Matthew 5:45

The fact of the matter is that living a trouble free and financially prosperous life is not proof of righteous living. On the other hand it is not necessarily a sign of unrighteous living either.

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." - 1 John 2:15

Having things is not the problem. The things having you is the problem. It is easy to become convinced that the proof being right with God is being financially prosperous and being trouble free physically and relationally. But that reasoning  is what a friend of mine would call "stinkin' thinkin'". Supplanting spiritual truth with the world's definition of success. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was He did not say make sure you invest in a good 401K.

"Teacher [Jesus], which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." - Matthew 22:36-37

When you love God with your whole heart then there is no room for another love. And if you make room - then God will be edged out. You may praise Him with your lips but your heart will be far from Him. (Matthew 15:8)

You will make decisions to secure the things of this world to the detriment of your devotion to God. At the same time, convincing yourself that your prosperity is proof of your right living. Most of the Body of Christ is not rich in the treasures of this world and it is not because they are sinful. 

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21

According to the World Bank, almost half the world’s population is living in poverty, subsisting on less than $6.85 per day. If you are healthy and or wealthy you are more of an exception than the rule. The second greatest commandment is to ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ We have a moral - even Biblical - responsibility to "cross the road" and help those in need. And not just build bigger barns for ourselves. (Luke 12:16-21)

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone