Title: The Secret to Enjoying Abundance
Contents
God wants His children to be prosperous and prosperous not only spiritually but also physically. So in 3 John verse 2, John blessed Gaius, whom he loved, saying, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in good health, as your soul prospers.” The Lord also said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). What is the path that everyone wants to be successful both physically and mentally?
1. Be sincere.
Verse 18 says, “He who walks in sincerity will be saved, but he who walks in earnest will soon fall.” In this verse, if you want to know ‘those who walk in sincerity’, you just need to know the opposite word ‘those who walk in earnestness’. The word ‘acting hard’ refers to a perverted mind. Being sincere means working with an upright heart in everything.
We must do it like a man cultivating his land in verse 19. It means that we must have the divine vision that God has given us to sow and reap, and not to become useless fantasies. Even if they have the same dream, those who sweat for that fantasy have a vision, and those who do not sweat are those who pursue their delusions. There is no one who is not sincere for a successful person in this era.
The same is true of the religious life. You must be faithful in your faith life. A sincere person's heart is like a field of good soil, and the Word of God bears fruit 100 times, 60 times, 30 times. It is not formal or pretentious. The kingdom of God is a place where nothing but the truth will prevail. As you sow, you will reap. This is the law of the kingdom of God. Please believe that there are abundant results both physically and spiritually for those who are sincere.
2. You must be loyal to your duty.
Verse 20 says, “The faithful are blessed with many blessings, but those who want to get rich quickly will not escape punishment.” This is a lesson to not try to get rich quickly, but to do your best in one's duty. Don't be too greedy for material things. Any problem arises in trying to get rich quickly. However, if you are proud of what you are doing rather than material things and do your best, the work will inevitably be successful.
If you work with pride to make this agricultural product the best quality while farming, it will be the most valuable agricultural product. Then the income will naturally follow.
What is your faith? We must hold on to God. If we hold on to God, we will receive God and receive the gifts He gives us, but if we hold on to the gifts, we will lose both God and His gifts.
Moreover, you should not pursue extreme methods for pleasure. In verse 21, “to show people’s faces” refers to a bribe. In other words, if you pursue the extreme method of seeking the world for your own satisfaction, you will inevitably face the wrath of God. The world cannot give us true satisfaction, and God is angry if we go out with the world's satisfaction. That's why Colossians 3:5-6 says, "Therefore put to death your members that are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil passions, and covetousness, which is idolatry, for which the wrath of God is coming." Please realize that only when you are loyal to your job and your duty to fear God, you can be rich both physically and spiritually.
3. Advice must be taken seriously.
Verse 23 says, “He who rebukes a man is loved more afterward than he who flatters with the tongue.” It is easy for a person to flatter, but difficult to advise. Flattery makes no progress, but advice makes progress. If we are to be successful in anything we do, we need to listen to the advice of many experts. There is no reason to fail if you listen to the advice of successful people. The reason North Korea's economy is difficult is because the theory that emphasizes the heroic aspect of the ruler under the dictatorship prevails, and the advice of experts is not well received. If you are building a wall with God, who is the source of blessing, and living like an enemy, how can happiness come?
But in verse 24, there is a story of a man who steals the things of his parents. This word is a command not to steal from Heavenly Father. Mal 3:8-9 says that these are tithes and offerings. When you teach this, you will be enriched both physically and mentally. By stealing God's things, it may be a little rich at first, but that is not the way. When I am convinced that everything I have belongs to God along with a tenth, according to its meaning, at any moment, God takes responsibility for my family and business.
4. We must rely on Jehovah.
Look at verse 25. “The greedy heart stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will have abundance.” Why are there wars all over the world? It's not that you don't want to do any damage. is to have more. So did you gain anything? There is not.
The fact is that if we do our best, God fills every lack. Therefore, I pray in the name of the Lord that you do not quarrel because people cannot satisfy you, but believe that God will fill you and be faithful.
Even in the wedding house in Cana, when the Lord filled what was lacking, I was filled with joy. Look at Joseph. Didn't God exalt me because I did my best in my work even in despair? If you cling to people casually, you will only make people ugly. If you believe that God will provide for what you lack in any way, and do your best, whether it's your work or someone else's, God will surely fill you in abundantly. So, the text tells us to depend on God.
The same is true of spiritual abundance. How does a man fill my soul with satisfaction? No matter how much I love my parents, my spouse, my children, my friends, I can't satisfy my heart. However, when we look to God, God fills in the shortcomings of our hearts. That is why Isaiah said, “Even young boys will grow weary and weary, and young men will stumble and fall; but those who wait on the Lord will find new strength, and they will rise up like eagles on wings; they will run and not get weary, they will walk and not get weary” (Isaiah). 40:30-31) did.
5. You must put effort into planting.
Verse 27 says, “He who gives to the poor will not be in need, but many curses are on him who is blind.” The miracle of Oh Byeong-Eye, which occurs again when you give it, and occurs again when you give it, is still present. Plant anything. You will surely reap what you sow. The method of sowing must be planted according to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit according to the Word. If the Holy Spirit moves you, if you obey, miracles will surely appear. First of all, don't be discouraged if nothing appears. God is the one who tests riches with one mother and one mother and then entrusts them with abundant things.
Likewise, when we plant spiritually in spiritual abundance, our soul is also enriched. If you pray for me, your soul is not satisfied because it lacks its own needs. However, if you work hard and pray for the souls of others, you will have great riches that are more than enough for your spiritual use.
6. We must live righteously.
Verse 28 says, “When the wicked arise, a man hides; but when he perishes, the righteous increase.” Therefore, the wicked must be destroyed. It's not about killing people. We must destroy the wicked within us. Then God will fill you with all kinds of beautiful things. When David also sinned, prayer was blocked, but when he repented, prayer returned to his bosom. How can there be abundance without repentance? The treasures of heaven are enjoyed by those who believe and are washed.
Psalm 5:12 says, “You will bless the righteous, and with your grace you will guard them as with a shield.” In Psalm 1, he spoke about the blessed person. Therefore, if you clean yourself every day, I believe that God will use it preciously. So, when you are holy, sanctified, humble, loving, and have a heart of joy, He writes to you for amazing things. That's why 2 Timothy 2:21 says, "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will become a vessel for honor, sanctified and suitable for the master's use, prepared for every good work."
God is a God who is abundant in grace and wants to be filled with all kinds of good things. I hope that all of us will be faithful, faithful, give God's things, look to God, strive for giving, repent of our sins, and become loving saints who fully enjoy the abundant grace and blessings that God has promised.