Deuteronomy 8:18(NKJV) 18“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Yesterday we began to contrast the idea of wealth and money. Money is a part of our wealth, but it is really a very small part. Paul cautions Timothy to beware of the love of money because it is the root of all kinds of evil. Those who focus on money will have a very difficult time keeping right attitudes where prosperity are concerned.
We see in Deuteronomy 8 that God promises the children of Israel that he will give them the power to obtain wealth. They already had money in a sense. They left Egypt with large quantities of gold, silver and many other valuable things that they could exchange for anything they needed. Therefore, it had the same function that money does to us. However, God tells them he is giving them the power to obtain wealth. Why did they need something more if they had all these valuables from Egypt? “Money” was simply not sufficient to accomplish what God needed them to do. I believe money is not enough for us either.
We must ask the question, “What is wealth?” Yesterday we began to answer that question by looking at the definition of the Hebrew word translated wealth. We see in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the word most often translated wealth means; a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.
We have looked at two aspects of this definition. First a force comprised of men. This really means our relationships. If we have the right relationships, we often do not need money. The saying, “It’s who you know not what you know.”, is true. This definition also uses the word “means” which means financial resources. However, this is not limited to money. It can mean influence, equipment, property and any number of other things that provide ways to get done what must be done.
In describing “means”, Strong’s uses the phrase “other resources.” I believe this is very descriptive of the idea of wealth. When we look at our own resources, they are often woefully insufficient to meet the need. However, God has other means, other resources that we do not know about. God has done many things to meet various needs in my life. Most of the time the resources to meet those needs come from places I could not imagine.
I want to look at another aspect of this definition. I find it interesting that a definition of wealth includes the words virtue, valor and strength. Part of your wealth is your character. It seems today that a good name is often discounted as being important, but it is important. When people know they can trust you they will extend favor to you that others will not enjoy. Good character will open doors, create the needed relationships and provide many things money cannot.
We recently went through a devastating flood in our area. The nursing home where my wife works was destroyed. They are going to rebuild, but in the mean time the residents have been scattered to a number of other nursing homes. My wife’s employers could only keep a fraction of the staff while they rebuild. They told my wife that they definitely wanted to keep her. Now she is a good nurse, but I believe it is the character she has displayed in the workplace that is an even bigger factor in why they are so intent on keeping her.
When others complain she is positive. When others simply do not show up for work, she is always there on time. When others are negative, she is positive. She does her job well and inspires others to do their jobs better as well. She cares for both the staff and the residents and people know it. That kind of character is very valuable in today’s workplace. It is an important part of your wealth.
The last thing I want to point out from Strong’s definition is the term army. Wealth is an army of things that will work together to produce prosperity in your life. Money is only one part of it. Money tends to draw our attention away from the army that God wants to unleash on our behalf. One part of that army is angelic. Look at Hebrews 1.
Hebrews 1:14(NKJV)
14Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
In this verse he is speaking of the angels of God. I believe that if we can learn to get our focus off money, we will unleash an army that includes the supernatural angels that will cause what we need to flow to us.
Another one of the words translated wealth in the Bible simply means enough. God will see to it that you have enough to do what you need to do. If that guarantee comes from God himself, we can rest in this promise. That peace and rest is also part of the wealth in the life of a believer. Let me close by quoting two powerful scriptures that underlie this truth.
Ephesians 3:20-21(NKJV) 20Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:19(NKJV) 19And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Let these two scriptures open your mind to the possibilities of what God can do. Believe the promise that says God gives us the power to obtain wealth. He will keep his word and we will see the wealth we need to meet our needs and to preach the gospel to the world.
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