Article 18 – April 30, 2018
Waiting For The Big One
I was inspired to write about the above topic because recently I had a medical procedure done on my elbow and in the process of going through the preliminaries, I was engrossed in much paperwork. This paperwork primarily released the doctor and the facility from legal prosecution by me should I feel that things didn’t go well. I was saddened by all of this because it reminded me that our culture has come to the position of being so ‘law suit oriented’ in what I refer to as the ”lottery mentality”. People, even well educated ones, are so often looking for what I also refer to as ”waiting for the big one”, the financial payoff that will keep them from ever having to work again.
This is a very sad outlook, but it is true. For those of us who love God and His Word and are working very hard to look to Him for our sufficiency, Philippians 4:19 reads: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” This should ring loud and true to those of us who are serious about making God’s Will dominate in our lives. Jesus said in Matthew 6:27-33: “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith. Therefore, take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
This is a very humbling and challenging section of scripture. It is humbling because God tells us that we can do nothing of ourselves, regardless of being a believer or unbeliever. We just think we can. It is challenging because God tells us that it is He that has put life upon the earth, and if He can do that, what can He not do for us? So why not allow Him to do His job in our lives. Outside the realm of God’s Word, this is practically impossible to comprehend. The truth that God actually will take care of our needs: that we don’t need slot machines, lottery tickets, roulette wheels and LUCK (there is really no such thing) to get by financially each day. God really did say in Philippians 4:19 that He would supply all our need, and He really meant it.
I can understand the excitement of receiving an unexpected bundle of money, but why would you want to be ”set” for the rest of your life without putting out a certain amount of work? That is devilish thinking and it’s not God’s Will for our lives. Genesis 2:15 tells us, “And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” What that’s saying is that Adam was to work and God was going to take care of him. God did not tell him to lie around and to do whatever he wanted to do. He was to work. It would have been joyful work and he had spirit at that time. He had it made, until he sinned and then things got really messy. (Genesis 3:6,7)
And so it is with us. God promises us an abundant life in John 10:10. That abundance is in the spiritual, physical and mental realms. We are expected to take care of our physical responsibilities and that doesn’t include to prey on the misfortunes of others. I’m sure most of us don’t do that, but the adversary would like to distract us with all the nonsense that he’s set up that’s intended to make us rich quick (”One Call! That’s All!”) That is not all! God’s Word tells us in Matthew 6:33, “ But seek ye first the kingdom of God…”. That means to endeavor to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, as best we can.
Man seems to have a problem with seeking first the kingdom of God, because he thinks the kingdom of God is as seen in the religious world today. Then he goes about making things up as it suits him. Man has been making things up regarding God’s Word for a long time and he’s wrong on all counts. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 tells us “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” This means that God gave us His Word by working with men and women of God who spoke it and wrote it down. And it’s profitable for the abundant life spoken about in John 10:10. It’s God’s Word that gives us health. It’s written throughout God’s Word but especially in the Psalms and Proverbs. If you’ve got God’s Word hidden in your heart, you’re already prosperous. You don’t have to wait for ”the big one”. If you get but one person born again of God’s spirit and speaking in tongues, you’ve saved their life and you’ve done the works that Jesus Christ said you could do. Not bad! So who needs the lottery? God gave His Son for us, and that’s far greater than any form of gambling or chance.
Funglimpses and all that! Thanks for reading. Respectfully submitted. Will Grove