WISDOM FOR COVENANT WEALTH

And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you POWER to get WEALTH, that He may establish HIS COVENANT” – Deuteronomy 8:18a

God is the Giver of Power to get Wealth – the WISDOM for COVENANT WEALTH: “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you POWER to get WEALTH, that He may establish HIS COVENANT which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day” (Deut 8:18). Obedience to God’s Voice is the Crux for the manifestation of this Power in our lives. We must always remember that Blessings come from God, and never take the credit that belongs to Him. This was the error of King Nebuchadnezzar who ascribed Babylon’s greatness and glory to his personal power. His kingdom departed from him and he was driven into the wilds to dwell with the beasts of the fields, until he humbled himself, glorified God, and acknowledged the Most High as the Ultimate Ruler. Then, Mercy spoke to release him (Dan.4: 29-34).

There are still the likes of Nebuchadnezzar, who have everything they want, but forget where it all came from. God gives Power to get Wealth; the ability to produce wealth, as part of fulfilling or performing His covenant. The Bible doesn't say God gives the ability to get by, manage, survive, or subsist; but the strength to acquire wealth – material riches and resources: “a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing…” (vv.7-9a). If God gives power to become rich, wealthy, or successful, then He cannot be against riches, wealth and success. He wouldn’t give what will harm us.

Subsequent verses speak of: feeding well; living in fine houses; enjoying abundance and multiplication (vv.12-13). This is how God desired things to be. However, the Wisdom for Covenant Wealth warns us to never credit our prosperity to our hard work or allow possessions to produce pride that forgets the Giver; arrogance of the so-called Self-made (v.14-16). No matter our material worth, we must never be deceived to think or say: ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth’ (v.17). Diligence is biblical and desirable, but the “power” here does not simply mean “the ability to work hard.” Yes, God gives every human being, life, breath, and strength to work hard, but He gives a unique “power to gain or produce wealth” to those who keep His covenant. Hardwork may produce subsistence and survival, but rarely riches or wealth.

Covenant Wealth is a product, not of self-effort, but of a Power beyond the common experience of humankind: “to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant” (Deut.6: 10-11). This Wealth-producing Power is not dependent on conformity to the ways of the world, but on the oath sworn by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Wisdom is a key dimension of this Power: “I, WISDOM, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion….That I may cause those who love me to inherit WEALTH, that I may fill their treasuries” (Pro.8: 12, 21). Wisdom and Wealth are two sides of the same coin. That’s why, when God gave Wisdom to King Solomon, Wealth accompanied it (2 Chr.1:11-12).

God blessed Abraham and his descendants, enduing them with power – favour, wisdom, and unction – for increase, success, and prosperity. Believers in Christ are legitimate inheritors and recipients of Abraham’s Blessing: “So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham” (Gal.3:9). Wisdom for Covenant Wealth flows all through God’s Word (Psa.1:1-3; Psa.112: 1-3; 128: 1-4). Overall, we must never forget to be thankful to God for His Covenant and walk in obedience therein. In so doing, He’ll increase us more and more along with our children (Psa.115:14).