A predominant thought in many Christian circles is that poverty is a characteristic of humility. The verse, “…it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Mt. 19:24), is often used to teach that the righteous are not be wealthy. Job’s life is also used as a model of how God can use a life that is poverty-stricken, sick, and afflicted. However, the entire Book of Job happened within a period of nine months, and the last chapter of the book tells us, “the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10).
Redeemed from the curse
Galatians tells us that Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the law. What is the curse of the law? In the first five books of the Old Testament, which is called the Pentateuch, or the Books of the Law, we are told that the curse, or punishment for breaking God’s law, is threefold: 1) spiritual death, 2) no protection from attack or sickness/disease, 3) and poverty/debt.
Just as the curse is three-fold in nature, so is the blessing. First, there is the promise of salvation (spiritual blessing). Second, there is the promise of physical protection from sickness and from attack. Third, there is the promise of financial blessing.
Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of spiritual death—we do not need to fear death. He as delivered us from sickness and disease. And He has delivered us from poverty and debt.
Destined to Rule and Reign
God created everything and then made man and gave him dominion over all of it. But Adam forfeited Man’s rights to Satan. Jesus, however, came to redeem us from Satan’s power and dominion over us.
Romans 5:17 says,
“For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”
The Amplified version of the last part of verse 17 reads, “They shall reign as kings in life, by one Jesus Christ.”
Through Jesus we are to reign as kings in life. That means that you have dominion over your life. You are to dominate—not be dominated. Sickness and disease are not to rule and reign over you—you are to rule and reign over sickness. And poverty is not to rule and reign over you—you are to rule and reign over poverty.
If you don’t believe me, ask Job.
Clearly, you’ve made excellent descriptions of Blessings & Cursings in our lives, dear Pastor Joel. So well said, “we are to dominate, not be dominated,” and through Christ to rule and reign; having dominion over our lives. Sickness, disease and poverty have no place in our life…..period; even the attitude that these things may be ok must be rejected, having no authority over or in us!
As always, your messages are relevant with your transparency, AND are thought/heart provoking. Loving it.
Thanks Bill!