Happy Sunday!
Dr. Bill Winston said, "The Devil has vowed to rob you! But Satan cannot steal what is covered by Faith!" John 10:10 verifies this as Jesus said, "The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance."(Voice).
I'd heard that there is a difference between robbery and theft. I revisited the definitions to make sure I was understanding the subtle difference. Robbery is defined as the crime of taking or attempting to take anything of value by force or threat of force or by putting the victim in fear. So in robbery the victim is present. Someone may steal the pink flamingo statue from your yard, but if you were not present when it occurred it is not considered robbery. Makes sense that Malachi 3 says that some people have robbed God! God is always present! He's there when we knowingly and unashamedly disregard his commandments. Malachi 3:8-11 says, "You people are robbing me, your God. And, here you are, asking, “How are we robbing you?” You are robbing me of the offerings and of the ten percent that belongs to me. That’s why your whole nation is under a curse. I am the Lord All-Powerful, and I challenge you to put me to the test. Bring the entire ten percent into the storehouse, so there will be food in my house. Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing. I will also stop locusts from destroying your crops and keeping your vineyards from producing."(Contemporary English Version).
Fast forward to 2016! We are redeemed from the curse because of the sacrifice of Jesus, but being redeemed from the curse does not nullify God's requirements. Tithing was instituted before the law was given to Moses. When Jesus was on earth he said, "But woe to you Pharisees! For though you are careful to tithe even the smallest part of your income, you completely forget about justice and the love of God. You should tithe, YES, but you should not leave these other things undone."(Luke 11:42, Living Bible). So don't throw out tithing, and don't neglect justice and the love of God!
Why is this relevant for us today? Great question! I'm so glad you asked! The enemy is still out to get and keep what rightfully belongs to you! He's crafty! He has figured out how to trick you into letting him keep your stuff! Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:"(KJV). God's methods are always legal. He gave the earth to Adam, who lost it to Satan, who in turn lost it to Jesus. Jesus has given it to us, but just like the Promised Land...we have to go in and take what belongs to us! The enemy will not give it back without a fight! The Apostle Paul knew this and said, "Fight the good fight of faith,"(1 Timothy 6:12). The only way to recover your inheritance and possessions is to have and use Faith! Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."(KJV).
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Living Large". Genesis 26:12 says, "Isaac planted crops in that land and took in a huge harvest. God blessed him. The man got richer and richer by the day until he was very wealthy."(Message). Did you see that? He got richer by the day! He accumulated wealth! That's what the enemy doesn't want you to do! He's OK with you making a little money, but he doesn't want you to know that God wants you to be rich! Why would the devil want you to stay poor? Why would he want you to keep living just enough for the city? Because he is the thief! If you get your stuff back it comes out of his accounts! Proverbs 6:30-31 says, "People don’t despise a thief who only steals to fill his hunger; Still if they catch him, he must repay seven times over—he could end up losing everything he owns!"(Voice). Did you see that? He could end up losing everything he owns! He wants you to stay in poverty, or just above it and die without the knowledge or understanding of all that is rightfully yours! He has even got ministers preaching against prosperity! Dude, so are you preaching poverty? Proverbs 6:11 says, "But then you sleep and sleep and become poorer and poorer. Soon you will have nothing. It will be as if a thief came and stole everything you owned."(Easy-to-Read Version). Don't sleep on the Devil! This struggle is real! I know what you are thinking, you know someone that turned away from God when they became wealthy. Sure there are bad people who have misused and abused prosperity, but don't throw the baby out with the bath water! Prosperity has a purpose. Jesus commanded us to take the Gospel to the World. You can't even give a thirsty man a bottle of water, unless you have one dollar more than you need for yourself!
Living Large! Love and prayers, Cynthia
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