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More Proverbs

Proverbs 3:10

Barns filled with plenty? Presses bursting with wine? Here are descriptive phrases of financial blessing and economic prosperity. Are you interested? They are easy to obtain!

The Preacher is presenting God's promised reward to those who honor Him with their assets and the first portion of their income (3:9). True honor to God is not just singing about how you love Jesus; it is rather giving Him of your possessions and cash flow. The previous verse teaches the duty of giving, and this proverb describes His great reward.

In an agricultural society, the barn was where your assets were stored, and the presses were where you converted grapes into valuable wine. These two figures describe a prospering farmer - he has accumulated much, and he has great current cash flow.

This law of financial reward is as true as gravity; it is as true as Genesis 1:1. Believe it! If you honor God by giving Him His portion, He will bless you financially, guaranteed! Of course, this certain promise allows God to apply different laws in your life at times.

Still doubting? Your lack of faith is why you don't receive (Heb 11:6; Jas 1:6-7). Bold giving in faith is an act of worship (Phil 4:18), and He will reward it. An important man once doubted God, and believers trampled him to death on the way to the bank (II Kgs 7:16-20)! And the Lord killed many Israelites who doubted His ability (Ps 78:17-31).

What kind of return can God give? Isaac's portfolio grew 10,000% in one year (Gen 26:12). Jacob went from nothing to great substance in 20 years (Gen 32:10). Solomon's returns were so great that silver was as common as stones (I Kgs 10:27). It shamed him to drink from silver vessels, so they were all of pure gold (I Kgs 10:21)!

The Lord can open heaven's windows and pour out a financial blessing more than you can believe (Mal 3:10). And He dares you to test Him (Mal 3:8-12)! He knows a full measure and how to pack it down, shake it down, and pour it over the top (Luke 6:38)!

If you are suffering financially, you have sin in your life (Jer 5:25), have not been giving liberally (II Cor 9:6), or have not done it cheerfully (II Cor 9:7). The Lord has put holes in your bags, and your hard work and wages are falling out and being lost (Hag 1:2-11).

A man will say, "But I gave, and nothing happened." God is not a candy dispenser waiting for you to give an offering and push the button for your favorite treat. He will laugh and judge such a profane attitude. He wants a commitment to giving (Gen 28:22). He wants to see our sacrifice, which is much more than a little, token gift (II Cor 8:1-4).

Another man will say, "I cannot afford to give." That is the height of folly - you cannot afford not to give! Will you dig yourself out of your financial hole by cheating the Lord? Hah! If you wait until giving is no sacrifice, it means nothing to the Lord. The Lord rewarded the widow woman who gave two mites, for it was all she had (Luke 21:1-4).

These men are unbelievers. They think they will protect their income to get ahead! Hah! Protection and blessings are from the Lord. If you hold back to help your cash flow, you are going to poverty; if you give to Him what you need to keep; He will bless (11:24-25).

The reward of our proverb is obtained by obeying the previous proverb (3:9). Putting a few bucks in the offering box is not honouring God; giving what is left over after your expenses is not firstfruits giving; promising to give if God will bless you is not honouring God; giving of your after-tax income is not firstfruits giving. Examine your heart, reader.

The LORD our God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and everything else beside (Ps 50:10-12). He is able to supply all your needs according to His riches in glory (Phil 4:19). If you think giving a few dollars is hard, then think upon the sacrifice our Lord Jesus made for you. Was He rewarded? He was given great honor, fullness of joy, and pleasures forevermore at God's right hand (Phil 2:5-11; Ps 16:9-11)! Let God be true!

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