But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. Deut 8:18 NIV
Money is a tool – People can get entangled in the love of money, but the honest truth is that I don’t see that very often. People who are entrepreneurial are typically very disciplined in investing, and are not usually billboards for greed and excess. It’s not uncommon to find the favor of God or the use of Biblical principles behind those who have wealth.
In order for dreams to come true, we have to gain the ability to produce wealth. The foundational concept is that ability is given by God in a way that confirms his covenant to bless his people. We have to get used to the idea that God likes to prosper and bless his people. If it really is “covenant,” then we might expect to find the same theme with Jesus and maybe even in the atonement. Amazingly, we do!!!
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Cor 8:9 NIV
I don’t think this verse is limited to financial wealth; I just believe it includes financial wealth… for those who believe and exercise the faith to make it happen.
Dreams do come true – I believe this phrase is very prophetic right now. Sue and I ate at Bob’s Burgers and Brew last night. Good food, service and prices for burgers, chicken or salads. While waiting for the meal and watching the World Series, I read how Bob Kildall had a job flipping burgers as a young man. He eventually bought his first restaurant at the age of 25 and then a second before opening the first Bob’s Burgers over 30 years ago. Now there are about 20 in our state, many owned by Bob and some are franchised by Bob. The statement that struck me in the menu article was that he enjoyed encouraging others and that he believed that dreams do come true. I don’t know where Bob is with the Lord, but I do know that Bob and the Holy Spirit and saying and doing some of the same things.
Receive the ability to produce wealth – I wish that this impartation came through the laying on of hands. It may, in part, but the primary way we learn to produce wealth is by learning to sow into our dream. Notice that Paul planted, Apollos watered by God gave the increase.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 1 Cor 3:6-8 NASU
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Cor 9:6-7 NIV
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion… 2 Cor 9:10-11 NIV
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing… 2 Cor 9:10 NASU
Sowing toward a plan – God multiplies, but he waits for us to have a dream and a plan to make that dream come true. The Kingdom belongs to those who are willing to dream and willing to receive wealth. It’s all about giving ourselves permission to take initiative, become creative and to contend for our land with a plan that we’re serious about implementing… instead of waiting for.
In the past we thought it was spiritual to be a clean slate or blank sheet of paper and wait for God to tell us what to do. That’s a formula for the dial tone in prayer! If we are a blank slate, someone with an agenda will write our destiny for us, but it usually misses what God wrote in our hearts. Our job is to come up with the plan by getting in touch with our own hearts; God’s part is to open the doors, make the divine appointments, multiply the wealth, and direct our steps specifically toward that plan. Here’s the secret: when you really get in touch with your heart, you will find a plan that is already in sync with God’s heart. He wrote it there in your heart. You will naturally enjoy it, be good at it and take delight in it. Here’s the revelation – God loves to include us in the Kingdom and he loves to grant the desires of our heart.
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Prov 16:9 NIV
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. 5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. Ps 20:4-5 NIV
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32 NASU
Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself. Luke 12:32 THE MESSAGE
Summary – God is building the Kingdom and there is plenty of money to fund your part of the action. The key that starts the whole process is pursuing the desires of your own heart. God will multiply your dream, your finances and your ministry when it’s leveraged in the Kingdom. It’s not a formula, a list of steps, or some new principles; it’s following your heart instead of your head. We’ve found coaching to be one of the great ways to help believers make that connection.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us… Eph 3:20 NIV
