“The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground–trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
Genesis 2:9
This passage describes the tree of life in the garden as delicious, and we can think of it as a prototype of all the blessings that God has for your life. The Bible says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). When the Apostle speaks of “every good gift,” he is referring to all prosperity, all excellence, and everything that you could possibly want in this life, because everything good comes from the Father of lights.
God always wants to bless, but many reject His blessings because they have been taught to live in poverty. They often take this idea from the scripture that says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” (Matthew 5:3. Matthew says that those who are “poor in spirit”, or who know their need of God, are blessed, not those who do not have enough money to pay for their rent. Lacking something is not a blessing. Good gifts come from the Heavenly Father, who has enough provision for you. He has so much for you, that you will be able to bless others with what He has given you. The Lord taught us that He will place us at the head and not the tail, and that we would lend to many nations and would not borrow (Deuteronomy 28:12-13). The blessing of God enriches our lives and He gives us the privilege of enjoying this blessing. God will not give you economic prosperity and then let your child become sick or allow your family to be destroyed. Rather, the blessing of God is complete. In other words, He blesses your finances, your family, your health, and your ministry.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
John Rockefeller, the famous North American entrepreneur, was marked from childhood with a good sense of morality, due to the influence of his Calvinistic mother Eliza. She also taught him basic life principles. Among them was having a sense of order and dedication in his life. As a child she would advise him, “First, you have to tithe. Second, you will sit in the front row at church. And third, you will obey the things you have been entrusted with in church and you will not dishonor the pastor.” Wise Solomon said, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9, 10). Prosperity comes when we respond to God and honour Him in our giving, just as He has given so much to us.
TODAY’S DECLARATION
“I will live in the full blessing of God because I have received His provision in every area of my life.”
Today’s post is an excerpt from Pastor Cesar Castellanos’ book, Declarations of Power for 365 Days of the Year: Volume One.
TODAY’S BIBLE READING
- Old Testament: Leviticus 8-10; Psalms 40
- New Testament: Matthew 18:1-14; Acts 25:1-12
