Hosanna Restoration Church

Like all things with God, being rich toward God is both simple and extremely involved. It is simple to see, but working it out is a process. Previously we talked about being open to God and that in itself is a big part of being rich toward God. Just for early clarification, being open to God is not simply saying I am open to what ever God wants, it involves a commitment to finding out His will and being open to whatever that may be.

Please realize that Jesus was not declaring a curse on riches when He called this man a fool for building bigger barns. He was calling him a fool because he was neither giving glory to God for all he had, nor was he considering God in what to do with his riches now that he had them. We will never be rich toward God if we are not grateful for His blessings, nor will we be rich toward God if we are unwilling to share them.

Having said this, we must realize that richness toward God involves a lot more than finances! Being rich toward God involves the transformation of our lives into His image. When we reflect Him, we reflect His riches. He supplies all of our needs according to His riches in glory.

Just about everyone knows that financial things cannot produce real life or satisfaction. If they could, the extremely rich would never have a problem or any complaints at in life! Therefore, there must be more to the riches that are in God’s glory. Of course there are! Just look at the fruit of the spirit and you will find a key to true riches.

Being rich toward God is wrapped up in the two greatest commandments. We are to love God and love one another. As I said, being rich toward God involves being open to God and being open to God is more than just hearing what He says, it is being transformed by the renewing of our minds. If we want to be transformed, then we are going to have to take an active role in the transformation. God sets the table, but we have to eat. He provides the gun and the shells, but we have to load up and hunt. He provides the ball and the field, but we have to play. He provides the instruments but we still have to play and sing the song. I think we get the picture.

I have to say that God is faithful to keep opening doors and showing me pictures and I am thankful for that. I just have to slap my head sometimes in amazement at how many ways He has to show me things before I realize I better get in now and get it right. My major assignment for increasing richness toward God is to love others the way I love Him. In my opinion, He is never wrong. He is never to blame for anything. He never irritates me. He never produces any sarcasm from me. I am never impatient with Him. I am always considerate and am attentive to what He has to say. I am not saying I do everything perfectly, but my attitude toward God does not waiver. He wants me to transfer the same kind of patience and love toward others. Pray for me! So what is at the top of your list in being rich toward God? What are supposed to be working on?