It Can All be Yours Too!

I stumbled across an article that outlined Joyce Meyer's assets. It had detailed information, including photos, of the houses that she and her husband have, their cars, the trips they've taken, along with all of the other material things they've accumulated over the years of her ministry. How this person was able to tap into all of that information is unknown to me, but one thing that I definitely noticed is that someone is very angry that Joyce has all of this "stuff".

Articles and stories like this likely exist for many leaders in the body of Christ, who are called to a large sphere of influence. I have grown up knowing people who despise Christian leaders because they believe they should do their job on a volunteer basis. I want to look them in the eye and ask them, "Would you do your job on a volunteer basis?" The answer would be an astounding no. Whatever God designed you to do, that IS your job. For some reason, when it comes to believers, society thinks they should live more modestly than the rest of humanity. People boldly claim that we shouldn't settle for less and that we should work hard and they even go so far as to say, "The one who dies with the most toys wins." So why is it that when a Christian becomes successful by worldly standards, suddenly it's wrong?

There is a root cause for these mindsets and it's condemnation; but the leaves are jealousy and hate. There is no reason to hate or be jealous of those who have much in this life; especially believers! Why? Because it can all be yours too! The Lord makes it clear that when you trust Him to bring His promises in your life to pass, you will have life and have it more abundantly. This does mean in eternity, but it also means in this earth. 

Joshua 24:13 "I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant" Deuteronomy 6:10, 11 "So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build. The houses will be richly stocked with goods you did not produce. You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant." Mark 10:29 “Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.” 

The Lord will BRING you into houses (PLURAL) you did not build or labor for. He will GIVE you land and cities to dwell in and to eat from! All of these things belong to every believer, as a child of God. Too many people will never receive their over abundance for multiple reasons; they don't want to suffer or be persecuted, they're afraid or perhaps some have always believed that God isn't that good. Not everyone has the divine desire for earthly riches or great influence; but for those who were created with a large influence and the heart to help in abundant ways, it will take a lot of money to so. One thing I appreciate about the Lord is that it's not all about everyone else. He wants us to have His abundance for the simple pleasure of enjoying it ourselves (1 Timothy 6:17)! There may be times when you give your child a gift and ask them to give it away, but more times than not, you give your child a gift for them to enjoy it and you take delight in watching them. God wants to take care of his children extravagantly. So much so, that not only can we enjoy it to the fullest ourselves, but there's an overflowing amount to do what He's called us to do for others! This is how big our God is!

Being angry and jealous over those who choose to receive from their father will only lead to bitterness. Rather than question God's character because someone has something you don't, why not receive for yourself from your father...

RESOURCES
Do You Serve a God of Poverty?
What is Condemnation?
When Will You Take Back Your Authority?