TITHE AND THRIVE 
Without looking in your Bible or googling on your phone, do you know what Philippians 4:19 says? “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” 

Would you say that this is one of your favorite scriptures? I think so, as we hear this scripture quoted often.

But this scripture only works inconjunction with Luke 6:38: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Read the message in it's entirety...

LAZARUS OR THE RICH MAN? 
“But the blessings of the LORD makes rich and adds no sorrow to it” (Proverbs 10:22).

The rich and famous may seem to the rest of us to be generally quite happy and fulfilled, even those who do not have God’s presence in their lives. Likely, it is because the busyness of taking care of their extensive possessions, orchestrating their multifaceted lifestyles, and fulfilling their acquired roles, eat up the hours of their days and the days of their years. Such preoccupation consumes any quiet moments of reflection. Distractions can derail discernment.

The immortal soul of man can never be satisfied with mortal things.

The immortal soul of man can never be satisfied with material things.

God said He gives His people “power to get wealth” (Deut. 8:18) and He also gives us the ability to enjoy His gifts. Solomon realized this. He said, “It is good to enjoy one’s labor and the portion God gives; for He gives power to eat thereof, and to rejoice in his labor, for this is the gift of God… for God answers him in the joy of his heart” (Ecc. 5:18-20). God wants us to enjoy life, and to enjoy His blessings, but He wants to be the center of our joy.

Just having money and the things it can acquire are not a guarantee of happiness. Solomon said it best: “The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing…. And whatsoever my eyes desired. I kept not from them. I withheld not my heart from any joy…. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit” (Ecc. 1:8, 2:10-11).

I read about a Sunday school teacher who taught her young class the true story of Lazarus the beggar and the rich man (Luke: 16:19-31). When they died, Lazarus was taken to a place of comfort, but the rich man went to Hell because he had a hard heart. During a discussion of their lesson, she asked the kids who they’d rather be: “Lazarus or the rich man?” One small boy replied: “I want to be the rich man while I'm living and Lazarus when I die.”

A cute reply and worth a chuckle, but God’s Word reveals it doesn't work that way. Paul said men would “count gain as godliness.” They see it as the proof of their great faith and righteous deeds. The problem is, they expose themselves to the snare of greater temptations which some fall into: “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” He warned ministers not to be greedy of filthy lucre (1Timothy 3:7).

“But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1Timothy 6:5-10).

The blessings God gives are debt-and-regret-free!

Do You Need Prayer?
God is here for you, and so are we. Please allow us to unite our faith with yours before the Lord.

Send Your Prayer Request