We have been doing a sermon series “The Glory of Prosperity in LAT” and we have learnt that financial prosperity is a kind of glory (Psalm 49:16-17) which God would want us to have. While driving to church the first Sunday I preached on that topic, I was pleasantly surprised when the preacher on the radio quoted Philippians 4:19 which refers to riches as glorious. The Bible verses I was going to preach from did not include Philippians 4:19 because I had not thought about it, yet I have known that verse from day one of my walk with God twenty four years ago. Therefore, I took what I heard on radio as God’s confirmation that I was on track with the sermon I was going to deliver, that prosperity is a glory that God desires for us.
In the first three sermons of the series I showed from the Bible that if we are to experience the glory of riches we must be givers toward the work of the ministry, for givers are sowers who eventually reap a harvest. Days before I preached the fourth sermon, I felt like God wanted me to also tell you that the glory of prosperity not only comes by giving to the ministry of the gospel, but also the needs of the saints, for the same reason that giving produces a harvest of blessing.
Now, a week or so before starting to preach “The Glory of Prosperity in LAT” I started a personal project of reading the entire Bible in six months. In fact, 1 Kings 7:51 (riches being in God’s physical temple), which inspired me to preach about the glory of prosperity in our lives came to me while I was on that Bible reading project. Interestingly, Thursday last week, the real day of the week on which Jesus died, found me reading Isaiah 53 which essentially teaches us that God the Father gave up His Son Jesus so that He, the Father, might reap a harvest of many more sons (and daughters). Interestingly again, on that same Thursday, Joan Isoke decided that we pray specifically about generosity and giving! And interestingly, (last) Saturday found me reading 2 Corinthians 8, and I was scheduled to read chapter 9 on (Resurrection) Sunday when I was to preach from it. These two chapters are primarily about generosity towards our brethren in need, and the assured harvest from God. I had not planned to read those chapters at that time in my Bible reading campaign when I was going to preach from them on a day, which to God means a harvest of souls because He gave His only begotten Son to die for mankind.
All I have said thus far in this article is evidence, at least to me, that God has been leading us these four weeks to talk about ‘giving and receiving’. And these teachings have ‘unplannedly’ come at a time when commodity prices are skyrocketing. I believe God is telling us that during this difficult economic time He will provide for us according to His glorious riches, to the extent that we cooperate with Him by financially giving towards His work in your church LAT, and by helping the brethren who might need your financial or material support.
God bless you.