Daily Bible Study

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Day 8 – Prosperity 2 Chronicles 9:13-31 I think it’s safe to say we all want to be prosperous in whatever we put our hand to, whether business or pleasure. We can attempt to do that one of two ways – we can try to keep up with the Joneses or we can go about it God’s way. God had asked Solomon what he wanted most, and Solomon told him wisdom and knowledge. God added to that prosperity. Solomon was not only the wisest man to ever live, he was also the wealthiest. The accounting of Solomon’s wealth is recorded in these verses. I guarantee you will not be able to keep up with this king’s wealth or prosperity. There are a couple schools of thought when it comes to biblical prosperity. Now before you get up in arms I am not about to propose anything even remotely similar to the prosperity gospel. You have never read anywhere that my hand is out to request money from you and you will prosper. That isn’t how God’s prosperity works, no matter how many preachers preach it. God’s prosperity is not a state of being poor and destitute either. If it were, there wouldn’t be any wealthy people in scripture. There are a lot of people with the idea that only the poor and destitute honor God because they lack prosperity. Then there is the idea that biblical prosperity is spiritual and not associated with any kind of financial wealth. I don’t believe that. It’s good to be rich towards God spiritually. However, God wants us to be able to give to the poor and His church – our tithes. We can’t do that if we are only spiritually rich. 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 ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (KJV) 1 Thessalonians 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. (KJV) God gave Solomon what he asked for and He gave him wealth and riches. Solomon used his wealth and riches to glorify God, and that is what we are to do as well. We are not to try to keep up with the Joneses – let them keep up with us. Let’s pray: Father, thank you for taking care of all my needs and giving me enough to give to those in need. Help me to give as You direct and not as man directs – holding his hand out to further his own needs instead of that of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Help me glorify You in everything I do. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 19 December 2015 by Valerie Jean Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay