During an intriguing conversation a week or so ago regarding the manner in which God blesses those He loves, someone made the following statement.
''I think we've got it all wrong. We continue to believe that God demonstrates and conveys His love for us by showering us with material wealth, but that can't be the case. Are we saying that God doesn't love the poor and needy? Or that the poor and needy are sinners that God continually punishes?''
I must confess that this statement caught my attention somewhat. I've felt for a long while that the depths or otherwise of one's material wealth does not in any way relate to the extent of God's love (for that person).
Although my friend's statement was in line with my own view I couldn't resist the urge to gather evidence to support the notion.So off I went in search of the nearest bible to do some digging.
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, Ruth, Esther, Job, Daniel, and many more - God conveyed His love for them by showering them with an abundance of material wealth.But in the new testament there is very little talk of wealth. Rather, God's loved ones are mostly poor and needy.Well, you know me - I couldn't just gather all this info, which I must confess got me a little confused, and not ask someone of more knowledge than me. So I proceeded to ask a man of the cloth.
His explanation is an interesting one.
'In the old testament people didn't have the holy spirit. Therefore God's way of showing His people that He loved them was by blessing them with material things. But after Jesus, we have the holy spirit residing in us. There is no greater blessing than the spirit of God dwelling inside you.'
Simple explanation, but it does make sense.
I can't help feeling that despite the new covenant of Grace, we still continue to live partly in the old testament and partly in the new.We all want success and material wealth. But surely there is so much more to life than money and riches!?!It's interesting that what many of us want more than anything else is 'peace of mind'. About a year ago I asked many of you what you want most from life. The top three - in this order - were 1. Peace of Mind, 2. Love, and 3. Happiness. Isn't it interesting that wealth and riches didn't make the top three??!!And yet this continues to be the focus of prayers in churches across Nigeria. This is not an attack on churches. Heavens No! Who am I to attack churches, or anyone else for that matter?!
My point is this;
If we continue to put unnecessary pressure on ourselves by believing that God will reward us for good behaviour and obedience by making us absurdly wealthy then all we are doing is reducing our chances of finding 'Peace of mind, Love, and Happiness'.
Peace of mind, love, and happiness reside in a content relationship with the Holy spirit, and thereby with those around you.A yearning for 'loadsa' money leads to the opposite direction of peace of mind. I believe God showers those He wants to shower with an abundance of wealth - but not because He loves them more. The level of your wealth is not a direct correlation of God's love for you.God's love is unconditional; and it is our belief and understanding of His unconditional love for us that gives us peace of mind.
Ambition is good.
Selfish ambition is not so good.Work hard, do your very best to succeed - for the sake of those around you; bless others as well as yourself with your success. But never for one second think that the depths or otherwise of your wealth relates to the extent of God's love for you. His love for you runs so much deeper than material wealth.
