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Day 30 – Substance 2 Chronicles 31 Have you come to the place in your life when you have more than enough? You have no need or want of anything. You can go wherever you desire and enjoy the fruits of your labors. Prosperity is something we strive to attain, and are happy if we come close to achieving our goals. Hezekiah did that which was right in God’s eyes. He kept the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. When the feast completed all those in attendance went throughout Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh breaking down all the images found there, and destroying every altar and grove. Because he did so, the people brought their tithes to the temple and it was more than enough. So much so that storehouses needed to be built to hold all the substance brought to the house of God. God prospered Hezekiah for his faithfulness in keeping the Law of Moses and seeking God in all things. Hezekiah had more than enough. His substance was abundant to overflowing. Have you considered you can be as prosperous as Hezekiah or any of the wealthy men spoken of throughout scripture? Consider the last verse of this chapter. 2 Chronicles 31:21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered. (KJV) Herein lies the key to wealth and prosperity. Prosperity is found in the work we do for God, keeping the law, the commandments, and seeking God with all our hearts. Notice what it does not say. It does not say we are to give to other ministries who hold their hands out for our money so they can prosper, but we are to be in service to God, obeying Him, and seeking Him and He will prosper us. God promises to meet all our needs. Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (KJV) So why then are we not prosperous? James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (KJV) Jesus told the people they were to give in order to receive. Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (KJV) Who are we to give to – those who have their hands out to fund their ministries or the poor and destitute? Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (KJV) We are to give to the poor and God will prosper us. As Christians when we follow the simple instructions found in God’s Word, we will prosper in every way – not just spiritually, but with substance as well. Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (KJV) Mark 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (KJV) Those who were wealthy in scripture were so because they obeyed God and sought Him in everything they did. When we follow this simple recipe of obedience to God, He will prosper us as well. Let’s pray: Father, help me live an obedient life for You, following Your instructions and seeking You in everything I do. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 11 January 2016 by Valerie Jean Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay