This week, we are picking up on Part Two of Pastor Richard's teaching series; Walking in God's Prosperity. Last week was an unusual week as we reflected on the incredible life of Queen Elizabeth II. So, here we are picking up in Part Two of the series. If you would like to hear the full message of any of Pastor Richard's teachings, why not drop us a line at hello@upstreamministries.com and request a link.
God is a God of abundance. Look at the Wedding in Cana in John 2:1-11. Jesus attends purely as a guest. His 'official' ministry hasn't even started yet. His mother comes to him and asks Him to do something. He almost rebukes her, but she ignores Him and tells the waiters to 'do whatever He says'. I love this! The image of Mary being so familiar with her son (the Son of God by the way) that she completely ignores His comments and kind of forces Jesus' hand! I have no doubt there was an unspoken look in Jesus' eye that said 'ok, go on then'.
But the point is, Jesus didn't turn the water into just enough wine. No! He told the servants to 'fill the jars to the brim'. And then, not only were the jars filled to the brim, they were filled with the finest wine! So much so that the master of ceremonies was so shocked that he made a special announcement about it! You see, God provided for the material needs of the Bride and Groom’s family, not just enough but to the brim and with the best. To the brim and with the best! Remember that.
Another great example of God's abundance, is the at the Feeding the Five Thousand in Matthew 14. Not only did God provide for what was probably more like 10-15 thousand people from one small boy's lunch, or rather, one boy's small lunch, He made sure everyone had plenty to eat and 12 baskets of leftovers - one for each disciple!
Folks, God wants us prosperous. Look at this verse again. Matthew 14:20 -
They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. Here's what we learn:
They ALL ate. Remember that - all. No one was left out.
They were 'filled'; which in the Greek is the same word used in Matthew 5:6 where Jesus says "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." He's not talking about a 'just enough to keep you going until you get home' kind of filled! He's talking about 'stuffed'! Post-Christmas dinner type of full!
There were 12 baskets left over - enough for each disciple. Jesus provides for His own.
How about the miraculous catch of fish in Luke 5? Simon caught so many fish that the boats began to sink and the nest began to break! v6-7: When they did so, they caught such a huge number of fish that their nets began to break. They signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. So they came, and filled both the boats, and they began to sink.
What was the result of this provision? v8: When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees.
God's provision should make doubters into believers, worldly people into godly people, sinners into disciples, greedy hoarders into generous givers.
We could spend all day reading about the promises of God for our prosperity. Here are few for your own reading:
Proverbs 3:9-10
Psalm 23
Malachi 3:10
Genesis 3:17-19
Proverbs 10:22
Psalm 34:9-10
Deuteronomy 28
In that last passage, we clearly see that poverty comes from disobedience which means it can’t be God’s will for you to poor, because He surely doesn’t want you to be disobedient! It is clear that poverty is part of the curse. And Galatians 3:13 says that Jesus took the curse for us. Why? Because He wants us blessed!
2 Cor. 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
That word for 'rich' in the Greek is plouteo. It means; affluent in resources so that he can give the blessings of salvation unto all . This is redemptive language. Jesus was our substitute. He died, He became poor, that we might be affluent in resources. Why? Because we are blessed to be a blessing. Look at this in 2 Corinthians 9:8 - And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
We are blessed to be a blessing.
God has good reason to want you prosperous. Yes, the love of money is very dangerous and we should never become dependant upon wealth above our reliance and trust in God, but that doesn’t mean He wants you poor! How many Christians think that God wants them to suffer in poverty? No! He wants you to be able to bless others.
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
Genesis 12:2
The devil has been using the lie that God is stingy and holding back on us since the Garden of Eden. It is the fear of not having enough that makes us slaves to money. It was the fear of lack that caused Adam and Eve to take from the forbidden fruit!
Have confidence in God. He will supply all your needs and wants you to prosper. God wants his kids to have all they need. Do you have kids? Do you want them poor? Struggling for money month to month, barely making it? Of course you don’t! So why would God want His kids to lack or struggle when we could be so much effective for the Kingdom if we were prosperous?
Join us next week for more on Walking in God's Prosperity.
If you have questions, please do feel free to contact us at hello@upstreamministries.com or via our website's contact page.
Have a prosperous week! Don't forget to watch the snippet from Pastor Richard's teaching this week. Click on the image below.
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TEACHING SNIPPET FROM PASTOR RICHARD.
