True riches; this phrase is the one that we need to keep in mind at all times in dealing with this study of riches. We will discuss the need of wealth and material riches however lets just centre in for now on the phrase true riches.
True Riches Are: Ephesians 1:7, “the riches of His grace”. The grace of salvation. The first type of riches we should possess are those of Grace. It is through the grace of God that we are able to live a life of salvation. If it had not been for that grace we would exist today. Our life and sin would surely have destroyed us.
Grace is God’s greatest example of riches. Through grace the world (you & I) were saved by our receiving it through the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord in our lives. (Eph. 2:8-9) Grace is the provider of all good things. (Psl.84:11) Grace imparts unto man great blessings. (Acts 4:33) Grace develops faith within us. (Acts 18:27) Grace provides for us justification in God. (Rom.3:24-25) Grace helps us to overcome sin. (Romans 5:20) Grace makes us to be the elect of God. (Rom.11:5-6) Grace gives one boldness. (Rom.15:15) Grace makes to be partaker in the inheritance of Christ. (1 Cor. 10:30) Through grace we acquire power. (1 Cor. 15:10). Through grace we gain liberty. (2 Cor. 8:1-2) It is the grace of God that gives us the ability to endure. (2 Cor.12:9) Our strength comes through grace. (2 Tim.2:1) Our hope is founded in grace. (2 Thess.2:16) This list could continue on into much more. Surly no-one could dispute the fact that grace is a example of riches that all should be walking in.
The next example of true riches would be found in Ephesians 1:18, “the riches of the glory of the inheritance in the saints”. What is this example of riches, Knowledge, the beginning of the verse says “that the eyes of your understanding being enlightened”. Not just knowledge however but the kind of knowledge that leads into wisdom. This could only be the understanding of the Word of God. We seek answers to life’s questions then we need to know that the riches of God has been poured out upon us in the Word of God. Notice that verse says that it is part of our inheritance to live in this amount of riches. In Christ Jesus we have been given an inheritance that is so great that we cannot even imagine it’s fullest extent. Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us”. That power is the Word of God flowing from us according to the knowledge of it placed within our hearts. For information on our riches in knowledge and wisdom study Romans 11:33.
Ephesians 3:16, Here we find yet another example of riches. “The riches of glory”. What are the riches of glory. The greatest one is the anointing of Jesus Himself. When you walk within His anointing you find that nothing is impossible to you. All the attributes of Christ are found in His glory and they are part of the riches that you inherit when you receive Him. These are not something that is hid from you, you may obtain them at any time you desire. When you require mercy, it’s there. If you need for forgiveness, it’s been granted already. Do you require the power of love, it’s in the glory. Romans 9:23 “And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, (you & I), which He had afore prepared unto glory”. It’s already been settled, you have been chosen to live in this glory. Enjoy the riches of glory in your life.
Romans 2:4, gives us yet another example of riches that we may live within, “the riches of His goodness”. Goodness is one of the fruit of the Spirit. When we are walking in the realm of the spirit we walk in the fruit of the spirit. Goodness would just flow from us. Goodness is decency, honesty, morality, virtue and excellence. The scripture verse says that it His goodness that we acquire. Our goodness couldn’t compare to the goodness of Christ. It is His goodness that makes us a decent person, it is what causes us to be honest and forthright. Christ’s goodness flowing from us gives us moral strength so that we are able to stand against the immorality of this world. He places in us His virtue and His excellence so that we may show these in all that we do. Then He says that we become rich in these through Him. We really do have incredible riches in Christ Jesus.
We must not forget the riches that come to us when we receive the Holy Spirit. Here are the riches that make us more than conquers. As we walk in a world full of deceit and bend on all that is ungodly making it’s way head long into destruction God has given us His very Spirit to be sure that we emigre unscathed. Not to use the gifts that the Holy Spirit bestows upon us is tantamount to denying His great outpouring of His love toward us. All of the gifts of the Spirit must be considered as the riches of God poured upon man, there can be no other description other than His riches.
The gift of wisdom……riches. The gift of knowledge……riches. The gift of faith……riches. The gift of healing……riches. The gift of working of miracles…..riches. The gift of prophecy……riches. The gift of discerning of spirits……riches. The gift of divers kinds of tongues……riches. The gift of interpretation of tongues……riches.
This is consistent throughout all scripture, and if the gifts are riches then so too are the fruit of the Spirit. You, certainly have great riches in Christ Jesus.
So then it is without question that we have great spiritual riches in Christ. Of course this not a point that the faithless argue. To them all these riches they will gain someday when they arrive in heaven. Yet scripture is clear that we gain these riches and material riches in this world now during this time. Mark 10:29-30, “Jesus said, Truly I tell you, there is no one who has given up and left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for My sake and the Gospel, who will not receive a hundred times as much now and in this time, houses, and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life”. Amplified We do not make the boast that riches are for your own personal use, yet this scripture is clear that when we set all aside for the cause of Christ then personal wealth and riches are ours, and they are in the here and now as well as when we go on to glory (heaven).
Lets refer back now to our verse found in Luke 16:11, Notice that there is a clause in this verse. That clause is faithfulness. Many people want the riches and wealth as promised in scripture, yet they are not capable of being faithful in what God has already given over to them. We need to cultivate stewardship in our lives. We must be found faithful in all that God gives to us.
Here’s an example, many believe that the cheques that we earn are ours. Yet scripture says that it is God who gives you the power to get wealth. Deut. 8:17-18. Therefore the entire cheque belongs to God. We should then be sure that we spend it wisely and not wastefully. The tithe is the first thing that comes from it. Why, because He said so (Deut.26). Then that which is left so should be spent in ways that would be honouring to Him. Pay our bills on time, cover our rent, feed our families, enjoy some (not all) of it and even give to yourself (at least 10%). However when God calls and says to do this or that with your increase be quick to obey and don’t hold on to it.
Let’s now answer our questions A) Does God provide riches for His children? Yes, Yes, and Yes again.
Look with me to Proverbs 3:1-10, My Son (that’s you and me) forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days, and years of a life [worth living], and tranquillity [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall add to you. Let not mercy and kindness [shutting out all hatred and selfishness], and truth [shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood] forsake you. Bind them about your neck; write them upon the tablet of your heart. So shall you find favour, good understanding and high esteem in the sight [or judgement] of God and man. Lean on, trust and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind, and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain, your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord, and turn [entirely] away from evil. It shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bones. Honour the Lord with your capital and sufficiency [from righteous labours], and with the first fruits of all your income; So shall your storage places be filled with plenty, and your vats be overflowing with new wines”.
There can be no doubt that as long as God is placed first in ones life that He desires to give the goodness of glory to His children. God lives in great riches and His intent is that we live in the same as He. He created us in His image, that is a image of wealth and prosperity. In God there is no lack, so in His children there is no lack. Every father that ever lived and loved his children has always wanted them to do better than he, have better than he did. No one could ever out do God but to live in His image is to have the good that is of the Father. He made no change in His plan for His children. 1 John 4:17b ” as He is so are we in this world” He is not poor and doing without. His riches are unimaginable.
Next we asked “Isn’t poverty really the spiritual way to come to God? Let’s answer that with a question, If you were about to meet the Queen of England would you put on your best and offer Her your best? Of course, God is no different, poverty does not glorify God. There absolutely no scripture for this disgusting theory. Yet there is volumes of scripture to show Gods wealth and His desire that His children live in much the same.
We also asked “Doesn’t the bible say riches will destroy us”? No, lets look at scripture to get the right facts here as well. Proverbs 11:28 “He who leans on, trusts and is confident in his riches shall fall, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like a green bough”. It’s not the riches that destroys you but rather the trusting in them that will bring destruction upon us. God’s intent is that His children trust in Him and not in the blessing and benefits that He gives them. Always keep your eye on the Provider not the provision.
Isaiah 45:3 “And I will give you the treasures of darkness, and the hidden riches of the secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord which call thee by thy name am the God of Israel”. This something to believe for so that you may bless the Lord and give into every good work.
Psalms 37 certain guarantees of God.
(vs 3) You dwell in a good land forever.
(vs 3) You shall never go without feeding or food.
(vs 4) God gives you the desires of your heart.
(vs 5) He brings things to pass.
(vs 6) He brings the righteous to light.
(vs 6) He brings judgement as noonday. No darkness.
(vs 9) The evil doer will be cut off, a promise of Satans defeat.
(vs 9) You receive the earth as an inheritance.
(vs 11) There is an abundance of peace.
(vs 17) You are upheld by God.
(vs 18) You receive an eternal inheritance.
(vs 19) You are not ashamed in evil times, God protects.
(vs 19) You are satisfied in times of famine.
(vs 24) You are not brought to ruin (cast down) when you fall.
(vs 28) You are not forsaken by God.
(vs 28) You are preserved (maintained, perpetuated, sustained, and upheld) by God forever.
(vs 28) The seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
(vs 31) All decisions (steps) will be sound.
(vs 33) The Lord gets involved when the wicked attack.
(vs 33) The Lord will not condemn.
(vs 37) The result will be peace.
(vs 39-40) Salvation will come.
(vs 39) Strength from God in a time of trouble.
( 40) Help from God.
( 40) Deliverance from Satan.
For further study on this subject examine “1 Sam. 17:25, 1 Kings 3:11-13, 1 Kings 10:23, 1 Chr. 29:11-13, 1 Chr.29:28, 2 Chr. 1:11-12, 2 Chr.20:25, 2 Chr.32:26-30, Psl.62:10, Psl.112:1-10, Prov.3:16, Prov.8:18, Prov.11:28, Prov.13:7, Prov.14:24, Prov.19:14, Prov.22:1, Prov.22:4, Prov.23:4-5, Prov.24:3-4, Ecc.5:12-13, Ecc.5:19, Ecc.6:2, Isa.45:1-3, Isa.61:6, Jer.9:23, Jer.17:11, Mark 4:14-20, Mark 10:17-30, Eph.3:8, Eph.3:16, Phil.4:19, Col.1:27, 1 Tim.6:17-19, Rev.5:12.
Scripture is consistent Riches and wealth are for you through Christ Jesus.
Thanks Ron, this has encouraged my heart today.
Dianna