The Book of Proverbs is also called the Book of Wisdom, and I like to study from it every day.  Why?  Because there are 31 Proverbs; one for every day of the month.  And today while reading Proverbs 10, verse 22 just kind of jumps off the page at me, and this is what it says:

The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you read that verse?  Wow! Maybe I’ll win the lottery!  And I’ll be RICH!  And no troubles with it!

Well, if money is all that can make you rich, then you are indeed poor.  Desperately poor.  What about family?  Your health? A happy marriage?  A job you enjoy doing?

Having what you need, when you need it, certainly qualifies as “rich”.  So does contentment.  I remember the Apostle Paul wrote in Hebrews 13:5,

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

I find a person who is content with such things as they have, has no burning desire to be rich.  In fact, the greatest riches that any person could ever have is to have the love of God, and in that verse He said, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE.  Now, if the God of the whole creation loves you as your Father, and promises to neither leave or forsake you, that means whatever you have need of, the God of all creation will supply your need.  And if He happens not to have what you need, He will create it.  So what are you worried about?

We put way too much emphasis on this worldly kingdom.  Well, yes, it’s all we’ve ever known, I understand that.  But even the wildest dreams we have are pale in comparison to the blessings of God.  How can we run around with a long face, when we have such a loving and compassionate heavenly Father?  Yes, we have troubles in this world, everyone does.  Why?  Because the world was taken over by the devil, and we all know the words of Christ Jesus in John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; but I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  All the devil has on his mind is kill, steal, and destroy.  And YOU are his target.

I really like the part where Jesus said, but I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  In other words, in spite of all the devil does to kill, steal, and destroy, MY will is for you to abundantly overcome and live in My blessing!  And being Jesus will neither leave or forsake, or abandon you, He or she who is smart will REJOICE and jump for joy!  For every time the devil tells you that you just aren’t going to make it this time, remember, HE’S A LIAR!  You ARE going to make it, because the one who created the universe LOVES YOU!  You’re not going under, you’re going OVER!  If you apply yourself to the Word and wisdom of God, no matter what’s going on in the world around you, you can prosper, even if everyone around you is going broke.  You can be well and healthy, even if everyone around you is sick.

It’s not a blessing to be sick.  God isn’t trying to teach you a lesson by making you sick.  He teaches you by His Word.  He sent Jesus to be your Healer, and by doing so, He is showing you that you are very important to Him.  Jesus clearly demonstrated by His words and actions, that it IS His Father’s will for you to be healed and healthy.  Some would disagree with that, but it’s only THEIR opinion, not GOD’S opinion.  You and I can take our opinion and $3.50 and buy a cup of coffee, that’s all it’s worth.  That is unless you live in California, then it’s $15.00.  But God’s opinion is the ONLY one that matters, and if you’re wise, you’ll agree with God’s opinion.

You don’t need to win the lottery to be rich.  All it takes to be rich is to be content with such things as you have.  Jesus didn’t have a car, or a house, or a computer, or even a bank account, yet He was rich beyond even Solomon’s riches.  And He laid it all aside to serve mankind, to die for their sins, and to heal their diseases.  He didn’t have to do that, you know.

Today, instead of complaining about all the things you don’t have, start thanking God for all the things you DO have, and thank Him for all the things that you don’t have, that you DON’T want, for example, you live in a free country where you can come and go without fear of being killed when you walk out your door.  Yes, some places you DO have that concern, but not if you’re a child of the Most High.  He takes care of His kids, because He’s a good Father.

The blessings of God will come upon you and overtake you, if you have a heart of gratitude.  You won’t have to hunt them down, they will hunt YOU down!  Praise God!  Worship and adore Him!  Thank Him for all He does for you every day, and see if the blessings don’t follow.  Think about this, you who have kids; if you have one who loves you and pleases you, and another who is a snot nosed brat who never listens to you, who are you going to tend to bless?  Yes, you love them both, and they’re both your kids, but really, who are you going to bless?  It will be the one who is thankful and obedient to you.  Happens every time.

Don’t waste your time seeking God’s hand.  Seek His heart.  Seek His face.  Seek to love on Him and know Him and tell Him you appreciate all He does for you.  And He does a lot for you, whether you realize it or not.  Even your breath is a blessing.  Think about how well you would get along if you stop breathing.  See?  There’s something else to be thankful for!  God is so good! Amen?