The Economy of the Kingdom (6/30 Teaching Inspirations and Reflections)

Why is it that Prosperity is a word that seems to describe those who have materially proof of their righteousness and have been rewarded while Jesus was the most prosperous man and He had no place to lay His head? "He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich, " says Paul (2 Cor. 8:9). It was Christ's limitation of communion with the Trinity that made us rich! Why? because God spared nothing in giving us Jesus. This is the precedent for our economy in the Kingdom! Our Father freely gave, let us too freely give. This is true prosperity: our capacity to give. A heart like the Macedonian church that begged Paul that they may give him offerings ad gifts to support/have fellowship with the saints in Jerusalem in abundant joy despite the fact they faced many afflictions and were in a deep state of poverty to the point of being beggars!! "Freely willing," describes Paul (8:3). Our economy as one's in the kingdom is not contingent on what we possess but our capacity in willingness. In verse 12, Paul says,  "if there is FIRST a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what He does not have." What do we have in our hands right now and are our hearts willing to give it all away? But! Let not this stirring of faith be lost on good intentions. Paul advises that it is to our advantage that we start in faith to give freely, to purpose in our hearts to give that that desire may be complete in the giving because God's grace will meet and sustain you in this work abundantly!! Not out of obligation or because we want more for ourselves but just because we like to give to God! It's God who gave us our cars, food, time, energy, clothes, giftings, money, jobs and it is God who feeds us like the birds of the air who don't even reap or sow. He will multiply what you sow and it is directly linked to our righteousness (9:11-10). Our reward is an enlarging of our willingness and liberality in giving and that's why God blesses our seeds! It's not just about supplying for other's needs but it's also a our confession that our priority is glorifying the Gospel:) Living in a flow of God's unending graces is all about sowing for the sake of the Gospel. Sowing now means more blessing later and a greater level of grace demonstrated through us. Are we zealous to do good deeds? Are we radical givers in ways where only God could have supplied that?? or are we just working by the sweat of our brow that we might make ends meet? Give now. Testify that our Savior lives and that He has the obedient service of our money. Purpose in your heart to be freely willing with all you have been given and you will reap a harvest not only for you but for your children!