Lack is the easiest gateway into sin. The devil is all out to enforce poverty and enslave Christians.
The devil understands what you can do with money, if you gain access into it. He knows that when you become comfortable he will be in trouble.
Am I saying there is no abundance except in the kingdom? No!
1. The rich man under whose table Lazarus was feasting, but went to hell.
2. The rich fool who died suddenly.
3. Naaman the captain of Syria
4. Pharaoh the king of Egypt (Exodus 15:19)
Abundance outside God is possible (gambling, embezzlement, human wisdom, strength and versatility, investment etc)
But you are not to envy them. Psalm 73:3, 17 – 18
WHY?
1. It is accompanied by sorrow, sleeplessness and fear. He got it by
his power, he must preserve it by his strength. I Timothy 6:10
2. Susceptible to demonic attack
3. It gives room for pride because it’s gotten by personal smartness. Daniel 4: 28-33
4. They have no secured tomorrow.
Just a change in government can be a change of fortune but the path of the righteous… Malachi 4:1,2
As I said the enemy is against your abundance, and he has his weapons.
Weapons of the Enemy.
- Ignorance
If the devil can keep you from the necessary knowledge, he can keep you poor.
You must therefore strive to know the possible things you can do.
“my people are destroyed…”
What hast thou in thou house, the woman said nothing except a pot of oil. The one she had she despised.
Recommended Reading
THE LAW OF DESIRE
Top Ten Lessons from the Life of Saul
Leading A Community-Focused Church
When you despise your talent, you have destroyed your treasure.
- Mental Stronghold
There are some thinking that work against abundance
- Thinking that everyone who has money is a thief
- Equating poverty with righteousness. I Timothy 6:10
- Gospel of Mediocrity: i.e. fake contentment.
- I can’t be more that this mentality.
A mouse was placed in a jar, at 50th failed attempts the lid was removed. Though the lid was no longer there that mouse was just jumping and going back.
- Frustration
Isaac digging well and the enemy blocking it. Genesis 26:17-22
The enemy may want you to give up at the first attempt / 2nd attempt.
That you start a business and it flopped does not mean trading is not your way.
- Distraction
Elimelech and Naomi saw famine and ran. In no time there was plenty in Bethlehem.
- Pleasures of Sin
- The prodigal son would have done well if he remains in the house. but he wanted independence from his father. He entered in dangerous living and adultery. He finished himself.
- When you are given to premature pleasure, you enter into permanent lack.
- Some are used to blowing money, when the going was good, therefore when there is shortage they can’t survive.
- Evil Counsel
- Between getting a job or starting a company, get a job! Get more degrees, get better job. That is wrong counsel.
- With a job, you can be ok, but you can’t be wealthy.
- Correct definition of wealth:
- The numbers of days you can survive without physically working (or any of our family member) and still maintain your standard of living.
- These people do not have a degree
- Thomas Edison – General Electric
Henry Ford – Ford Motor
Bill Gate – Microsoft
Ted Tuner – CNN
Steve Jobs – Apple Computers
Stoichiro Honda – Honda Generator
To walk in abundance you must overcome all these.
Not only by prayer but by watchfulness. Judges 4:15-21
Sisera won on the field, he was defeated in the house. he went to a wrong place, drank the wrong drink, he made his enemy his gateman, and slept when he should be standing.