"Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of possessions." (Luke 12:15)
In many parts of the world today, possessions are a status symbol. According to society, they define us. But that's in contradiction to the Word of God. If God has blessed us with abundance, then it's for His purpose. God has a purpose when He causes someone to receive wealth. Now you may think, "I work hard. I've made smart investments. I watch every penny." I wouldn't disagree with you, but I might add. If catashrophe strikes our lives, our life savings could be wiped out in the twinkling of a eye. Look what Katrina did to New Orleans.
I have a good friend who worked hard all his life and built wealth through shrewd investments. His wife got ill and eventually died. He used all his money to save her life hoping medical treatments would cure her. After a year she died. Now he's broke. The economy had taken a downturn and he can't sell his second house. His possessions are possessing him and there is nothing he can do, short of praying and asking God for His deliverance.
If we trust in the things or the world's financial systems, we will lose. But if we put our trust in the Lord and tithe and give offering, we are using a heavenly banking system that never crashes. God knows what we need. Sometimes we don't. We ask for things we desire, all along missing out on the Giver.
When we die, we don't take our possessions with us. They stay here and are divided up among our relatives. When we give to the poor, we lend to the Lord and He will repay. God systems is not dependent on the world He created. It is depended on our coming to Him with our financial needs.
The only time in the Bible when we are allowed to test the Lord is with our tithe. "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test me now in this, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will open for you the windows of heaven and poor out for you a blessing until it overflows. Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in field cast its grapes."
Spirit warrior, I've heard many say that the tithe is no longer required. Those are people that don't trust the Lord with their possessions. God is not stingy. When you give, He returns it to you tenfold. Don't be fooled by the get rich quick schemes. God builds wealth slowly. It is a process. Relax and trust in HIM!
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