Proverbs 10:22: The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.
Do you want to be blessed? Certainly, most believers desire the blessing of God to be evident in their lives. But what does it mean to be blessed? One dictionary defines blessing as "that which makes happy or prosperous; a gift of divine favor."
Over the years I have heard Christians make various statements about the blessing of God. I have heard statements such as these. God blessed me with a new car. God blessed with a promotion. God blessed me with a new job. God blessed me with wisdom to deal with my jerk of a boss. God blessed us with a baby. God blessed me to lead my co-worker to the Lord.
All of the above statements indicate something happening that causes the person to believe that God had done something on their behalf. God has worked to bring happiness, prosperity and divine favor into the life of a believer
A wise man will know that God is the source of all good things. He is the source of all blessing. Consequently, our text reveals that God is the source of all wealth. The blessing of the Lord brings wealth
Let's examine the blessing of of God in the life of Abraham. Genesis 24:1, Abraham was now old and well advanced in years, and the Lord blessed him in every way.
How does a believer in modern times learn to be blessed in every way? Is that even possible in today's society?
God established a covenant with Abraham. (See Genesis 12:1-3) As Abraham believed the promises of God, and as he was faithful to obey the covenant he was blessed in every way.
Wealth was contained in that covenant. Genesis 13:2, Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and in gold. If you will examine the lives of Issac and Jacob, you will see they were abundantly blessed as they believed and obeyed the covenant.
Deuteronomy speaks of the relationship of the covenant and wealth when it says, 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. The ability to produce wealth is a confirmation of the covenant blessing of God.
But some would say that Abraham was special. And that God would bless him then, but not someone today. That thinking is an insult to the Word of God. Galatian 3:13-14, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree." He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Then in Galatians 3:29 we learn, If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Every blessing of Abraham's covenant with God is available to you including the blessings that Abraham did not enjoy, including the new birth and the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
Certainly the new birth and the fullness of the Spirit are more important than material wealth. But God did not ask us to choose. We dishonor him when we refuse any of the blessings of his covenant. The blessing of the Lord brings wealth
Our text also says, and he adds no trouble to it. There are trials and tribulations in life, but God is not your problem. God provides every blessing of life.
Some believers have the mentality that God provides an equal amount of good and bad. That mentality is in error. God provides the blessings without the thorns.
I challenge you today to search the Word of God for yourself. Examine the Biblical teaching on wealth with an open mind and with the aid of the Holy Spirit. Discover for yourself the truth of the Word of God. Discover his blessing. That blessing will produce wealth in your life as you dare to believe and to obey the covenant.
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org