Thought this was a great article for us as we work through Prof Bock’s book, “How Would Jesus Vote,” in our Adult Education class.<\/p>\n
Enjoy!<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thelight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/rainer_23.jpg?resize=300%2C171\")
As Christians, we often subconsciously think we aren\u2019t supposed to have too much. We\u2019re afraid of being associated with bad theology, or we\u2019ve seen people abuse the idea of being blessed, so we push back from the whole concept. But does such thinking align with what the Word of God teaches?<\/p>\n
This is a sensitive subject for many believers, but it\u2019s so important that we get it right. So let\u2019s take an honest look at it today.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no better strategy for finding the truth of a matter than going to the source: Jesus Christ. Look at what He says in Matthew 25:29:<\/p>\n
\u201cTo those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance.\u201d (NLT)<\/p>\n
That makes it pretty clear: God has no problem with abundance. What He is against is abundance possessing us.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the difference? The person possessed by abundance seeks blessing, possessions, finances, ability, or power for the sake of appeasing his cravings\u2014or he hoards resources out of fear.<\/p>\n
The truth is, we need abundance to do larger and more effective work by God\u2019s grace, which is His power at work within us. We use this empowerment well when we use it to build lives and build God\u2019s kingdom. Could this be why Scripture says, \u201cBeloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth\u201d? (3 John 2 KJV)<\/p>\n
Now, you might think it\u2019s enough for a good Christian to \u201chold the fort.\u201d Can\u2019t we just be content with having enough to get by?<\/p>\n
Not really. If we study the parable that contains Jesus\u2019s statement in Matthew 25:29, we find something game-changing.<\/p>\n
Two servants were called faithful because they multiplied what was given to them (see Matthew 25:21, 23). The servant who simply maintained what was entrusted to him, on the other hand, was identified as lazy. The master took that man\u2019s bag of silver away and gave it to the man who possessed abundance. We may think a good Christian is content with just enough, but Scripture calls that laziness!<\/p>\n
That shouldn\u2019t be so surprising to us. Think back to Genesis. God\u2019s first commandment to humankind was to \u201cbe fruitful and multiply\u201d (Genesis 1:22 NKJV). He wasn\u2019t just talking about having babies. He was declaring, \u201cAnything I give to you, I expect you to multiply it and present it back to Me.\u201d<\/p>\n
What does this look like? Here\u2019s an example from my own life. God\u2019s entrusted me with an ability to teach. By His grace (the power working in our team, our partners, my wife, and me), that gift has been multiplied and presented back to Him through teaching all over the world, writing books, putting messages on the web, giving resources to pastors and leaders around the globe, blogging, developing other teachers, and more. As I\u2019ve yielded to God\u2019s grace in faith, God has done far more than I ever could have dreamed of as a young man.<\/p>\n
Of course, the obvious\u2014and valid\u2014concern is that abundance might lead us into pride or greed. Won\u2019t we get a big head or become obsessed with getting more?<\/p>\n
It definitely can happen, and none of us should assume we\u2019re innately immune to the deception of a perverted form of abundance. For my part, there are two thoughts I keep before me to help my heart stay in the right place. They are:<\/p>\n
1) Have I limited God in any way?<\/p>\n
2) Wow, look what God\u2019s ability has done!<\/p>\n
This perspective positions me to remain both humble and passionate about what God is doing in my life.<\/p>\n
So what about you? Do you find yourself at one extreme or the other when it comes to abundance\u2014pursuing it for the wrong reasons, or avoiding it because it\u2019s been misrepresented? I encourage you to read Matthew 25:14\u201330 in full. Then spend some time meditating on 3 John 2. What is the Holy Spirit revealing about how He wants to adjust your perspective?<\/p>\n
Written by John Bevere. Visit John\u2019s blog at http:\/\/messengerinternational.org\/blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow John Bevere on Twitter @JohnBevere<\/a><\/p>\n