Prosperity preaching is the trend nowadays. All over the television prosperity theology is being broadcast to viewers all over the world. The belief is poverty signifies some type of sin you have committed against God while wealth is an example of God’s blessing upon your life. Preachers beg for money and promise to ask God’s blessing on your life if you send in a certain amount of money. They also teach “"believers have a right to the blessings of health and wealth and that they can obtain these blessings through positive confessions of faith and the 'sowing of seeds' through the faithful payments of tithes and offerings." "A Statement on Prosperity Teaching". Christianity Today. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/article_print.html?id=86009.
True wealth, however, is not found in perishable riches. True wealth offered by God is blessings like prudence, knowledge and discretion. True wealth comes from fearing the Lord. It manifests itself as humility, godly speech, wise counsel, and understanding. True wealth guides the believer on life’s path with the strength to endure the journey. It is “running the race” in a pleasing way to God that honors and glorifies Him.
In Proverbs eight, Wisdom calls out to sinners offering them this true wealth. “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7-8). That is my plea for anyone who is reading this. Verses six through nine teach us that we can rely on Wisdom because her words are “trustworthy”, “right”, “true”, “just”, and “upright”. “Wisdom’s word are plain, spoken clearly and openly so that there can be no confusion” Wiersbe, Be Skillful!
Wisdom doesn’t promise to put money in the bank but instead urges us to seek eternal wealth rather than gold and silver. What true wealth has to offer us, worldly riches cannot compare to. True wealth stems from being wise in the things of the Lord. Wisdom’s riches cannot be bought, no matter how rich you are.
How can we obtain these riches from the Lord? First of all, there must be repentance. We must turn from our wicked ways and turn towards Christ. We must put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Without faith one cannot have this life-changing experience and cannot obtain the riches from the Lord’s blessings upon our lives. We can then secure this godly wealth by hearing the Word of God (attending a Bible believing church grounded in sound doctrine), receiving instruction from Wisdom (vs.10) by opening our Bibles and letting the words penetrate our hearts, souls and mind, seeking God’s wisdom daily. We must love truth and wisdom and once we have discovered it we must do our best to be obedient to it. We obtain these riches by mediating on the Word of God, worshiping Him, praying always seeking His will for our lives. Doing these things will give us the true wealth that we so desperately need and desire.
Once you have heard the truth you must make a decision. Will you bow your will to God’s will? Will you make Him Lord over your life? How people respond to God’s message is a matter of life or death. (vs. 35- 36). Those who repent will find life. They may die a physical death but their souls will live forever with God. Those who refuse God’s call to repentance will die twice. They will not only die a physical death but will also experience a spiritual death where they will forever be separated from the Lord. You have heard the truth. What is your decision?
Memory verse:
“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” Hebrews 4:7-8.
Dear Jesus, My prayer is that those reading this will not harden their hearts to the message but be obedient to the call of repentance. Lord I want everyone to experience true wealth. I want everyone to know what true wealth can offer them and the peace that comes from obtaining it. It is my desire today Lord that this message would touch just one lost soul…
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