Do you want a little or a little more?
Do you want a lot or a lot more?
God can not only give you much; He can give you much more,
Faith is the key that opens the stores of abundance.
By faith, we diligently obey God,
By faith, we love, honor, and stay focused on the Lord,
By faith, we follow the straight and narrow road,
Faith is the key that opens the windows and doors of heaven.
By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down,
By faith, all heroes of faith shall inherit a crown,
Through faith, the miracles of Jesus became the talk of town,
Faith is the hand that gives you much more than you expected.
Borrow vessels, Borrow not a few,
Elisha gave the widow a strategy that she never knew,
Bring more people to God, let their hearts be made brand new,
Faith is the door that ushers you into true riches.
Hebrews 11:11-12 (KJV) – “11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.”
God gave Abraham abundance
At first, Abraham could sire children, but Sarah was barren. As years passed, Abraham grew older and reached a point where he could no longer beget children. Therefore, his loins and Sarah’s womb were dead too. A common saying goes, “As long as you are alive, there is hope.” This statement means that hope ends where life ends. In other words, if you are dead, there is no hope.
Doctors try their best to treat a patient until that patient dies. That is when they conclude that there is nothing else left to do. To most of us, death translates to no hope. If you injure your hand, but it is still intact, you can put a bandage over it. If you hurt your finger, you will try to treat it. However, if one’s hand or finger gets cut off from the body and they are thrown away, one has no hope of them growing back again.
When God promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have children, they might have thought that God depended on their organs’ functioning and would use their bodies’ proper functioning to give them children. At first, Sarah tried assisting God with His work by recommending Abraham to take Haggar so that they could get a child. They got Ishmael, but Ishmael was not what God had promised. Later in the book of Genesis, Sarah laughs when she hears she will have a child because she cannot understand the possibility of it happening as she is not only barren but also quite old at the same time. Despite this, she decided to believe in the Word of God. They did not know how it would happen but trusted God that what He promised would happen.
Nowhere in the Bible is it recorded that Abraham cursed God or complained to Him when he saw years advancing while still unable to get a child with his wife, Sarah. They believed that God could not lie, and they were able to bear Isaac when all odds were against them. They bore Isaac when both of them were old with dead reproductive organs.
As a result of their faith, God multiplied their descendants. The Bible records that there were as many as the stars of the sky in multitude. Have you ever tried counting the stars? The stars are so many that you will get tired along the way if you try counting them. God wants to bless you so richly to a level that you will get tired when attempting to count His blessings. I wonder if anyone has ever tried counting the particles of sand. Sand particles are too small. If you put your hand on the earth and pick sand, you won’t be able to count the sand in your hand. Now imagine the sand at the seashore.
God says He made Abraham’s descendants as many as the sand on the seashore. Hebrews 13:8 (KJV) – “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” The God of the Bible is the same God now. God can do the same for you if you have faith. He can give you innumerable blessings since He is a God who possesses infinite resources. Trust in God brings abundance.
Genesis 13:2 (KJV) – “And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.”
Faith in God made Abraham to be very rich in material possessions. Some Christians believe it is not God’s will for someone to be wealthy in material possessions. Some believe that if you are obedient and loyal to God, you must be spiritually rich but materially poor. It is undeniable that Christians should not focus on material possessions; we should instead focus on God.
If we focus on serving God and serving His people, God can make us wealthy through our diligent and humble service. If God gives you a business idea and you run it according to God’s will, showing genuine love and care for your employees and customers, how will you not be wealthy?
Matthew 28:19 (KJV) – “Go ye therefore and teach all nations.” God wants you to serve people internationally, not just locally. Suppose you are a gospel musician or an author and distribute your songs and books internationally. In that case, you will likely bless more people and probably be wealthier than those focusing only on the local market. The more people you serve in business, the richer you will be. The better you serve them, the more they stick to you. Like Abraham, God can give you abundance in material possessions.
Deuteronomy 28:4-5 (KJV) – “4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. 5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.” The blessings listed in Deuteronomy 28:4-5 are material. Faith in God brings abundance in material blessings.
Genesis 13:14-17 (KJV) – “14 And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever. 16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.”
“Here the noble, unselfish spirit of Abraham was displayed. How many under similar circumstances would, at all hazards, cling to their individual rights and preferences! How many households have thus been rent asunder! How many churches have been divided, making the cause of truth a byword and a reproach among the wicked! “Let there be no strife between me and thee,” said Abraham, “for we be brethren;” not only by natural relationship, but as worshipers of the true God. The children of God the world over are one family, and the same spirit of love and conciliation should govern them. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another” (Romans 12:10), is the teaching of our Saviour. The cultivation of a uniform courtesy, a willingness to do to others as we would wish them to do to us, would annihilate half the ills of life. The spirit of self-aggrandizement is the spirit of Satan; but the heart in which the love of Christ is cherished, will possess that charity which seeketh not her own. Such will heed the divine injunction, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Philippians 2:4.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 132.3, Ellen G. White.
“Although Lot owed his prosperity to his connection with Abraham, he manifested no gratitude to his benefactor. Courtesy would have dictated that he yield the choice to Abraham, but instead of this he selfishly endeavored to grasp all its advantages. He “lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, … even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.” The most fertile region in all Palestine was the Jordan Valley, reminding the beholders of the lost Paradise and equaling the beauty and productiveness of the Nile-enriched plains they had so lately left. There were cities also, wealthy and beautiful, inviting to profitable traffic in their crowded marts. Dazzled with visions of worldly gain, Lot overlooked the moral and spiritual evils that would be encountered there. The inhabitants of the plain were “sinners before the Lord exceedingly;” but of this he was ignorant, or, knowing, gave it but little weight. He “chose him all the plain of Jordan,” and “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” How little did he foresee the terrible results of that selfish choice!” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 131.3, Ellen G. White.
Abraham desired peace between himself and Lot. He did not want the strife that their herders were having to continue. Therefore, he decided to separate with Lot so that there could be harmony between them. He told Lot to choose which side he wanted most. Whatever side Lot would choose, Abraham would choose the opposite side. If Abraham were selfish, he would have given Lot all the sound reasons why he should take the best side.
However, Abraham did not want an argument and wanted that process to be fast. Therefore, he was willing to follow Lot’s choice. One reason why we delay in fulfilling God’s purpose is because people take so much time to argue. Everyone believes their idea is the best, and they try to do their best to convince others that their vision is the best. In some committees, groups, teams, and families, some people want to be the ones who have the final say. They believe all suggestions that they do not make are wrong.
In The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication, John C. Maxwell writes, “An idea does not have to be your idea to be good.” Abraham was more senior than Lot in everything, but he allowed Lot to choose first. This action did not reduce him in any way. Instead, it uplifted him. When Lot chose the most fertile land, Abraham humbly took the worst side. After Lot left, God gave Abraham the entire land, including what was Lot’s. Faith in God brings abundance.
Genesis 22:15-18 (KJV) – “15 And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, 16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”
God gave Abraham a difficult test. He had grown immensely in faith in that he obeyed God when God commanded him to give up his son, whom he really loved and whom they had waited for so long with his wife Sarah to have. Abraham proved to God that he put Him first above anyone else, including his beloved son.
We often say that we put God first, but in reality, we put other things ahead of God. Various parents put their children above God, and some children put their parents above God. While we must love our fellow men as we love ourselves, we must love God more than anything else. We should love God more than we love ourselves. When we do not feel like going to church, the love of God in us should be more potent than our feeling of not wanting to go to church. When we do not feel like praying or studying the Bible, the love of God in us should be stronger than those feelings.
Romans 12:1 (KJV) – “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Our bodies need to be a living sacrifice to God. Our love for God should go above our selfish desires. Our faith in God should go above all emotions.
We can cultivate this love for God daily when we make it an everyday practice to worship and serve Him. Some may ask, “How can I serve God daily when we have church service only once a week?” Serving God is not solely confined to serving in the church. We can share God’s Word with our friends on social media. After we receive a YouTube sermon or devotional article from someone, don’t let the sharing chain stop with us. We should bless others as God has blessed us.
Abraham understood that God gave him his son Isaac, and he was willing to give back to God what God had given him. God was so pleased by this act that He pronounced an extraordinary blessing on Abraham for his extraordinary action. He promised to multiply his seed, and God shall bless all nations of the earth through him. This blessing was a confirmation of the promise that God had given Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 when He first called him.
Some people have blocked God from giving them gifts through their unrighteous actions. Any sin we do shuts a door for a blessing. On the other hand, any righteous act we do opens a door for a blessing. In Abraham’s life, he continuously opened the door for God. As a result, blessings came marching in. Faith in God brings abundance.
Genesis 24:1 (KJV) – “And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.”
In Genesis chapter 13, God had blessed Abraham with material possessions, but He had not yet blessed him with a child. In Deuteronomy 28:4, God promises that if you listen diligently to His voice and obey all His commandments, He will bless not only the fruit of your ground but also the fruit of your body. Children are the fruit of one’s body. The blessings mentioned in Deuteronomy 28:1-13 are all anyone would ever want. Some people believe that God can’t give you everything. If we look at the lives of various people in the world, we can see what seems to be evidence of this statement, in that most people we meet seem to be blessed in one area but lacking in another.
God seemed to have blessed Abraham in one area where he had great material possessions but lacked children. His faith in the living God gave him Children when he was past the age of siring children. Thus, Genesis 24:1 tells us that God had blessed Abraham in all things. God gave him a long life in that he lived to the age of 175. He gave him material possessions and a beautiful wife, making him a father of many nations. Faith in God brings abundance.
God gave Isaac abundance
Genesis 26:12-14 (KJV) – “12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. 13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: 14 For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.”
Isaac wanted to go to Egypt because there was a famine in the land of the Philistines. God commanded him not to go to Egypt because He had a purpose for him where he was. Your place may not be pleasurable, but God has a purpose for you there. You might be homeless on the streets or living with relatives or friends who mistreat you. God has a purpose for you wherever you are. A certain YouTuber whose YouTube channel has influenced hundreds of thousands of people said he started his YouTube Channel when he was homeless, sleeping on a mattress in a sitting room of a friend’s house.
One purpose God had for Isaac was to show the Philistines how powerful the God of Isaac was and eventually to make them believe in Him so that they, too, could inherit eternal life. The conditions in that land were worsening, and hunger was striking hard due to that Famine. In the midst of this famine, God caused Isaac to prosper. Nothing grew when the Philistines sowed in that land, but when Isaac sowed, his crops grew a hundredfold. This is to show that the laws of nature are under the control of God, and we should not depend on nature’s rules more than we depend on God. What happened to Isaac is not an impossible event, as some may think it to be. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while many people lost their jobs and countries were put in lockdown, most of the world’s population faced stark financial constraints, but a few prospered in the midst of the pandemic.
In the time of Prophet Elijah, there was a severe drought and famine, which God used to punish the people for worshipping idols. However, Prophet Elijah, being faithful to God, never lacked. God always provided for him using various means. Isaac became so great in the land of the Philistines that they were afraid of him. This event was proof of the promise God gives us if we obey His commands in Deuteronomy 28:10. Deuteronomy 28:10 (KJV) – “And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.” The Philistines saw how powerful Isaac’s God was through his prosperity and were afraid of Isaac. Even in times of great scarcity, faith in God brings abundance.
God gave Jacob abundance
Genesis 30:43 (KJV) – “And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.”
“For twenty years Jacob remained in Mesopotamia, laboring in the service of Laban, who, disregarding the ties of kinship, was bent upon securing to himself all the benefits of their connection. Fourteen years of toil he demanded for his two daughters; and during the remaining period, Jacob’s wages were ten times changed. Yet Jacob’s service was diligent and faithful. His words to Laban in their last interview vividly describe the untiring vigilance which he had given to the interests of his exacting master: “This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 190.1, Ellen G. White.
For twenty long years, Jacob found himself toiling under the relentless demands of Laban in the land of Mesopotamia. Despite being family, Laban seemed more interested in exploiting Jacob’s labor for his gain rather than fostering a mutually beneficial relationship. Can you imagine? Fourteen years to earn the right to marry Laban’s daughters, and then constantly changing terms afterward. It was a grueling and uncertain existence, to say the least.
Yet, throughout it all, Jacob remained steadfast and dedicated to his work. In their final confrontation, Jacob didn’t hold back in expressing the sheer effort he had put into Laban’s affairs. He vividly recounted the sleepless nights and weary days spent ensuring the well-being of Laban’s flocks, even in the face of droughts and freezing temperatures. He spared no detail in describing his resolute commitment to the task at hand, regardless of the personal sacrifices it demanded.
Jacob’s honesty and integrity were firm. Despite the challenges and temptations he faced, he never compromised his principles. He took his responsibilities seriously, ensuring that no single sheep or goat under his care met an untimely end, and never took advantage of his position for personal gain. His loyalty and dedication were a shining example in a world where deceit and exploitation were all too common.
His perseverance didn’t go unnoticed. Despite the hardships Jacob endured, Jacob’s steadfast dedication eventually led to his liberation and eventual success. Through his resilience and determination, Jacob emerged from his trials as a man of honor and integrity, destined for a future far brighter than the struggles of his past.
“When Jacob, growing weary of Laban’s service, proposed to return to Canaan, he said to his father-in-law, “Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country. Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.” But Laban urged him to remain, declaring, “I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake.” He saw that his property was increasing under the care of his son-in-law.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 192.3, Ellen G. White.
“Said Jacob, “It was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude.” But as time passed on, Laban became envious of the greater prosperity of Jacob, who “increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.” Laban’s sons shared their father’s jealousy, and their malicious speeches came to Jacob’s ears: He “hath taken away all that was our father’s, and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 192.4, Ellen G. White.
Jacob had faithfully labored for Laban, but Laban wanted to trick him and take most of the animals while leaving Jacob with just a few because he was selfish. God gave Jacob a divine strategy, which caused him to have more animals than Laban. Jacob increased exceedingly in wealth. He had a lot of cattle, maidservants, manservants, camels, and donkeys.
God usually gives powerful ideas and strategies you never once had and never knew existed. He gives you those ideas, but He does not implement them for you because if He implemented them for you, it would be a waste of the abilities and resources He has given you. He told Noah about the flood and told him to build an ark. He told him all the necessary materials to use when building the ark and the measurements, but He did not come down to build that ark. If you yield yourself to God and surround yourself with His Word, He will give you many ideas and strategies to handle complex life issues, making you successful in various facets of life. Faith in God brings abundance. It brings plenty of divine ideas and strategies.
God gave Joseph abundance
Genesis 41:38-44 (KJV) – “38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. 41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. 42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; 43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. 44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.”
“He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: to bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.” Psalm 105:21, 22. From the dungeon Joseph was exalted to be ruler over all the land of Egypt. It was a position of high honor, yet it was beset with difficulty and peril. One cannot stand upon a lofty height without danger. As the tempest leaves unharmed the lowly flower of the valley, while it uproots the stately tree upon the mountaintop, so those who have maintained their integrity in humble life may be dragged down to the pit by the temptations that assail worldly success and honor. But Joseph’s character bore the test alike of adversity and prosperity. The same fidelity to God was manifest when he stood in the palace of the Pharaohs as when in a prisoner’s cell. He was still a stranger in a heathen land, separated from his kindred, the worshipers of God; but he fully believed that the divine hand had directed his steps, and in constant reliance upon God he faithfully discharged the duties of his position. Through Joseph the attention of the king and great men of Egypt was directed to the true God; and though they adhered to their idolatry, they learned to respect the principles revealed in the life and character of the worshiper of Jehovah.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 222.1, Ellen G. White.
Few narratives resonate as profoundly as the story of Joseph, the Hebrew patriarch, as recounted in the sacred scriptures. Within the verses of Psalm 105:21-22, we find a poignant encapsulation of Joseph’s remarkable journey — from the depths of a dungeon to the pinnacle of power and authority in the land of Egypt. This passage highlights Joseph’s elevation to a position of immense honor and underscores the profound trials and triumph that accompanied his ascent.
Joseph’s story portrays unwavering faith, resilience, and divine providence. Cast into the darkness of a pit by his brothers, betrayed, and sold into slavery, Joseph’s early life was fraught with adversity and hardship. Yet, amid these seemingly insurmountable challenges, his character begins to shine. His unwavering trust in the Almighty sustained him through the darkest times, illuminating a path of hope and redemption even in the depths of despair.
Emerging from the darkness of captivity, Joseph’s ascent to power in Egypt was miraculous. Elevated to the position of lord over his master’s house, he demonstrated an unparalleled level of integrity and wisdom. His appointment as ruler over all the land of Egypt truly showcased the depth of his character. Entrusted with authority and responsibility beyond measure, Joseph faced a perilous journey fraught with temptation and danger.
Indeed, as the passage poignantly illustrates, profound peril accompanies the heights of worldly success. Yet, amidst the trappings of power and prestige, Joseph remained steadfast in his devotion to God. Whether standing in the opulent halls of Pharaoh’s palace or languishing in the confines of a prison cell, his faith remained unshaken, his commitment unwavering.
Joseph’s unwavering fidelity to God was a beacon of light in a land steeped in idolatry and darkness. Through his exemplary life and character, he became a vessel that revealed the divine principles of righteousness and truth to the pagan rulers of Egypt. Though they may have clung to their false gods, the integrity and wisdom of this foreigner who worshipped the one true God moved them.
Joseph’s journey is a timeless testament to the enduring power of faith and integrity. Through triumph and tragedy, Joseph remained steadfast in his commitment to righteousness, leaving an indelible legacy that inspires and uplifts countless generations.
“How was Joseph enabled to make such a record of firmness of character, uprightness, and wisdom?—In his early years he had consulted duty rather than inclination; and the integrity, the simple trust, the noble nature, of the youth bore fruit in the deeds of the man. A pure and simple life had favored the vigorous development of both physical and intellectual powers. Communion with God through His works and the contemplation of the grand truths entrusted to the inheritors of faith had elevated and ennobled his spiritual nature, broadening and strengthening the mind as no other study could do. Faithful attention to duty in every station, from the lowliest to the most exalted, had been training every power for its highest service. He who lives in accordance with the Creator’s will is securing to himself the truest and noblest development of character. “The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Job 28:28.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 222.2, Ellen G. White.
“There are few who realize the influence of the little things of life upon the development of character. Nothing with which we have to do is really small. The varied circumstances that we meet day by day are designed to test our faithfulness and to qualify us for greater trusts. By adherence to principle in the transactions of ordinary life, the mind becomes accustomed to hold the claims of duty above those of pleasure and inclination. Minds thus disciplined are not wavering between right and wrong, like the reed trembling in the wind; they are loyal to duty because they have trained themselves to habits of fidelity and truth. By faithfulness in that which is least they acquire strength to be faithful in greater matters.”- Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 222.3, Ellen G. White.
No magician, wizard, or astrologer in Egypt could interpret Pharaoh’s dream. An enslaved foreign prisoner called Joseph could interpret Pharaoh’s dream using God’s power. Joseph had shown excellence in his gift of interpreting dreams in that he interpreted people’s dreams while incarcerated. While in prison, life was not easy for him. Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph wrongly; the judgment passed upon him was cruel injustice. He faced challenging circumstances while he was there. However, he maintained a positive attitude and continued to help people despite the terrible events that he was undergoing.
Finding someone willing to bless others when they are going through a rough time is rare. People will often wait for their troubles to get over first before they help someone else. When we give light to other people in our lowest moments, the light we shine to others is reflected to us. Therefore, even though our situations may be cruel, they won’t hurt as much compared to how they would if we had done nothing to help others. Helping others results in our happiness. It is a powerful therapeutic remedy to help others when faced with the most stressful circumstances. A word of encouragement to someone else will go a long way in healing our hearts when we feel most discouraged.
Comforting someone heartbroken will do wonders in healing us when we feel heartbroken. God will bless you immensely when you bless someone else when it is inconvenient for you more than when it is convenient for you. This is because it takes a great sacrifice to bless someone else in moments of inconvenience more than in convenient moments. Joseph used his gift to bless others when it was inconvenient for him. He witnessed people he had helped get out of prison and elevated when he was still in prison. The eleventh-born son of Jacob did not get jealous of them or give up on God, as some of us do. He continued serving God.
When the right time came, an opportunity was presented to him to help the king using his gift. After he told Pharaoh the interpretation of the dream, the king was highly impressed that he gave Joseph the highest position; only Pharaoh was of a higher rank than him. He gave Joseph a higher status than Potiphar, the man who had thrown him in prison. Faith in God brings abundance. Faith in God will elevate you more than the people who once hated and mistreated you.
God gave Job abundance
Job 42:10-13 (KJV) – “10 And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and everyone an earring of gold. 12 So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. 13 He had also seven sons and three daughters.”
After hearing all the calamity that befell him, Job knelt and worshipped God (Job 1:20). Job never cursed God, even when his wife advised him to curse God and die (Job 2:9). He remained steadfast in God even after losing all he had. He could still pray for his friends while facing hard-hitting circumstances. After Job prayed for his friends, God turned away his captivity. God not only turned away Job’s captivity. He also gave him twice as much as he had before. Faith in God brings abundance. Faith in God will bring you more than you ever had.
God gave Solomon abundance
1 Kings 3:4-5 (KJV) – “4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. 5 In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.”
King Solomon offered one thousand burnt offerings to God. One thousand burnt offerings are not only a lot in size but will also take a long time to burn. Therefore, Solomon sacrificed not only the offerings to God but also his time to God. Some of us return tithes and offerings but are unwilling to give our time to God. Sometimes, we get consumed in our duties and work on the Sabbath day instead of using it to rest.
Some people rest on the Sabbath day but have no time for the Almighty Father during the week. God is the Creator of all things. He is the Creator of education, and He is the Creator of all legal and moral occupations. The Lord God created work for our happiness and gave it numerous other rewards. He knows we need to work to sustain ourselves and make a living.
God knows that we need to study to gain more knowledge and to develop our minds. However, He wants us to depend on Him for our work’s success rather than on our efforts for the success of that work. The Lord wants us to put maximum effort into our studies and work. While putting maximum effort, He wants our efforts to align with His commandments so He can be fully responsible for our success.
“To every man is given “his work” (Mark 13:34), the work for which his capabilities adapt him, the work which will result in greatest good to himself and to his fellow men, and in greatest honor to God.” – Education, Page 138.1, Ellen G. White.
“Thus our business or calling is a part of God’s great plan, and, so long as it is conducted in accordance with His will, He Himself is responsible for the results. “Laborers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9), our part is faithful compliance with His directions. Thus there is no place for anxious care. Diligence, fidelity, caretaking, thrift, and discretion are called for. Every faculty is to be exercised to its highest capacity. But the dependence will be, not on the successful outcome of our efforts, but on the promise of God. The Word that fed Israel in the desert, and sustained Elijah through the time of famine, has the same power today. “Be not therefore anxious (R.V.), saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? … Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:31-33.” – Education, Page 138.2, Ellen G. White.
No time is wasted in prayer, no time is wasted in Bible study, and no time is wasted in serving God. It is common and somehow logical for us to think the more we spend time focusing on our work, the more successful it will be. These types of thoughts conform to logic, but they disregard faith. If we focus too much on our work and leave no time to pray or study the Bible, we may reap the rewards from our efforts, but the rewards won’t be as much as if we had spent more time with God. God requires us to be faithful stewards of our resources, skills, talents, and time.
Solomon took a long time to burn one thousand offerings. After he burnt all those offerings, God appeared to him in a dream, asking him to request anything he wanted. That request was meant to accelerate Solomon to unfathomable heights. Faith in God is the fastest accelerator. Many young people desire to be successful when they are still young. If you trust God, you can succeed at a young age.
One reason it is rare to see successful men and women in society is that many young men and women waste a lot of time doing the wrong thing because they do not know their purpose. If you spend time with God, God will show you your purpose, and you will not have to waste much time pursuing what you are not meant to do.
Another reason why we see few successful young people is because various young people use most of their God-given time and energy to sin. Therefore, sin degrades them as it makes them have a negative attitude toward life, have low self-esteem, lose respect and trust among people, and lose loyal friends. Sin also makes one to have less energy and time to pursue something meaningful.
Various young people have dropped out of college because they never liked the course of study they were pursuing. They took it because their parents told them to or because they did not know what to do. Some have dropped out in their third or fourth year of study and still have not figured out what to do, wasting more time than they had already wasted. These events would have been avoided if they had spent time with God because only God can tell you what you were born to do. Solomon spent time with God in worship by offering God one thousand burnt offerings.
Solomon sacrificing all those offerings means he had previously spent time with God and seen His goodness; that is why he did not consider it wasteful to offer all that to God. God of the universe, Creator of all things, visible and invisible, appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked him what he wanted. If Solomon had asked for a long life, God was willing to give him. God was ready to give him if he asked for all the gold and precious stones in the world. Whatever He asked for, God would give him.
How many years of secular hard work would it take for someone to reach that point that Solomon reached? God is higher than all kings and presidents in the world combined. There are many things that the most powerful king of earth cannot give you. Secondly, whatever the richest or most influential people in the world have is limited. God has unlimited resources because He is infinite (Psalm 90:1-2); He has no beginning and no end. If this universe’s resources are insufficient, God can create more. Faith in God brings abundance. Why should we not yield to the power of a God who not only possesses abundant blessings but also created the word abundance?
1 Kings 3:9-14 (KJV) – “9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. 14 And if thou wilt walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.”
Unlike most of us, Solomon did not ask for things to satisfy his selfish desires. Instead, he asked God for wisdom and understanding to govern the people effectively. Before God, he acknowledged his insufficiency. It is common among us mortals to cower from a task that seems too heavy or difficult to carry out, even though the task promises excellent rewards. Solomon knew that the role of the king and the responsibilities pertaining to it were heavy. He had no previous experience of being a king and understood that he would likely face challenges he may need help overcoming.
Therefore, Solomon asked God to give him an understanding heart and the ability to discern between righteousness and evil so that he may be able to serve the people effectively. God was pleased by this act of faith. As a result, God gave Solomon what he asked for and what he did not ask for. In addition to giving him wisdom and understanding, He gave him riches and honor and promised to lengthen his days if he obeyed His commandments. Faith in God brings abundance. Faith in God will give you what you asked God for and what you did not ask God for.
Lack of Faith brings scarcity
Genesis 3:22-24 (KJV) – “22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23 Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”
Our first parents, Adam and Eve, chose to trust the Devil’s word more than God’s Word. Eating the fruit that God had forbidden them not to portrayed a lack of faith in God’s Word. As a result, they were kicked out of the Garden of Eden, which had an abundance of everything, and placed where there was an abundance of scarcity. God had filled the Garden of Eden with fruits of all types, some of which may not be known today. It was beautiful beyond our level of understanding and imagination. The home granted to them by God before sin had a perfect temperature, and it had the Tree of Life next to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
God placed them both in the middle of the garden. Deuteronomy 30:19 (KJV) – “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” God had given Adam and Eve a simple choice between good and evil before Moses wrote the book of Deuteronomy (although Moses did not write the last chapter since it talks about Moses’ death). He had placed the two trees next to each other, hoping the pair would decide wisely and choose life. Unfortunately, they chose death.
Revelation 3:20 (KJV) – “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Christ is knocking at the door of the hearts of everyone. It is your choice to let Him in or to let Him keep knocking. Lack of faith in God brought scarcity to Adam and Eve, and it continues to bring scarcity to us today. Faith in God brings abundance. Lack of faith in God brings scarcity.
If we believe in God, He will give us abundance of everything
John 3:16 (KJV) – “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
God promises that if we believe in Him, He will give us abundant life. A life that has no end. Faith in God brings abundance.
GOD BLESS YOU!
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for knocking on the door of my heart. Help me to have faith in You because faith in You brings abundance. Take me out of the prison of scarcity and help me to have an abundance mindset. In Jesus name, Amen.
Activity
- Reflect on how sin has brought scarcity in your life and choose to give your life to Christ.
- Reflect on the abundant blessings that your righteous actions have brought you and thank God for them.
Author: Mark Alex
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