Seed Naming & Designation, & A Whole Lot About Gods Wealth & Riches

A farmer always knows what type of seed they are planting. Would they randomly cast seeds into their field? Nope, every farmer knows what seed to plant so that they are not surprised that if they wanted Pumpkins that they actual got Watermelons. 

Seeds are symbolic of a couple of things in the bible. They are genuine seeds that, if planted using the farming rules for seeds, they can produce the intended crop. Seeds also are represented as the words that we speak. If we speak good words we reap good seed feedback, but if we sow or speak bad words, we will reap bad seed feedback. The word of God is also considered seed which is why we are to read and apply it consistently within our lives so that we can reap a good harvest of intended things. I will explain intended things as we move through this message.

Offerings are our financial seed. They are handled a couple of ways in the Bible. Apostles or disciples in training would be sent to those in other churches in order to provide input, correction, exhortation, teaching or even church admin advise. It was expected that they would receive resources or offerings from the saints that they visited. Paul shares with us what this looked like back in his days:

Phil 4:15-16 - 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

And we saw offerings giving in response to the Apostles ministry:

Acts 4:34-37 - 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 

And we saw how God views our offerings and already knows the size of our wallets so in no way is impressed with the amount given but the sacrifice and faith that accompanies our offering:

Mark 12:41-44 - 41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:14

Hello, this is Kenya Podcast Page here. Welcome back to my podcast Deep Lodge. This podcast is brought to you by Applied Strengths Ministry, where we believe working together on our strengths is the effect of working out the will and calling of God in through our lives. Thanks for joining me. Let's open up in prayer. Blessed be the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed you with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as he chose you and him for the foundation of the world, that you should be holy and without blame before him alive, having predestined you to adoption as the Son or daughter by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, which he purposed in himself, to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he made you accepted in the beloved. In him ye have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, which he made abound towards you in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to you the mystery of his will, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times, ye might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth in him. I ask that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, in the knowledge of the mystery of him, ah, and to the deepest knowledge of him that you are willing and able to receive, that the eyes of your understanding would be open wider, and that you would be enlightened to who he is, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in you? And what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards you who believe, according to the working of his mighty power which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead, and seated him in his right hand in heavenly places, that he would grant that you would be strengthened with might through his spirit, in the inner man, in and through your spirit and heart, and that you would be able to stand against your flesh, this world, and the devil, in and through any and all temptations. I pray that your love may abound more and more in all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense until the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. I ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will and all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him, being fruitful in every good work, strengthen with all might, according to his glorious power, and all patience and long suffering with joy, giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints who walk in the light. I pray that your hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love and unity, and that you would attain to all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which has been given to each of my listeners by Jesus Christ, that you are enriched in everything by him, in all utterance and all knowledge, so that you do not come short in obtaining or operating in your calling and purpose, nor in using any spiritual gifts or talents, eagerly waiting for the continued revelation of our Lord Jesus, who will confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the near coming day of our Lord. God is faithful by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus. Okay, so now therefore, my sisters and brothers in Christ, when things get tough, think about whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and whatever things are of a good report. If there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things alone. I pray that in these very days that you would let your love be without hypocrisy, hate and loath what is evil, cling to what is good and righteous, be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor, giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent and fully engulfed in spiritual fire, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, walking in the peace of God, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, that is each other, and that you would be given hospitality. May the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like minded towards one another. According to Christ Jesus, that we learn to be of one mind, in one accord, operating completely and fully in love and unity, always striving for the working out of God's specific will for each of our lives, while working in partnership with each other within the church and the Holy Spirit, as he manifests his miracle signs and wonders through the daily activities of our ministry and kingdom work, and while we also go out preaching the gospel in the word and deed, let us love and serve one another, our enemy, and those who wouldn't expect us to do so, considering each person better than ourselves. Find up any words or thoughts that are contrary to the love of God, or which would set you back in your Christian walk. I step out in faith today and walk with God, being assured that nothing will separate you from him as long as you abide in him. Call those things that don't exist as though they do. Remember he that is in you is greater than he that is in the world. Be more than a conqueror today, submitting to the will of God in everything. Let each of us express uncompromising love towards one another in humility while maintaining a teachable spirit. I pray that God will give you the revelation within this message that he intends you to receive with the understanding. Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of his knowledge in every place. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. The title of this message is Seed Naming and Designation and a whole lot about God's wealth and riches. A farmer always knows what type of seed they are planting. Would they randomly cast seeds into their field? Nope. Every farmer knows what seed to plant so that they are not surprised that if they wanted pumpkins, that they actually got watermelons. Seeds are symbolic of a couple of things in the Bible. There are genuine seeds that, if planted, using the farming rules for seeds, they can produce the intended crop. Seeds are also represented as the words that we speak. If we speak good words, we reap good seed feedback, but if we sow or speak bad words, we will reap bad seed feedback. The Word of God is also considered seed, which is why we are to read and apply it consistently within our lives so that we can reap a good harvest of intended things. I will explain intended things as we move through this message. Offerings are our financial seed. They are handled a couple of ways in the Bible. Apostles or disciples in training would be sent to those in other churches in order to provide input, correction, exhortation, teaching, or even church administrative advice. It was expected that they would receive resources or offerings from the saints that they visited. Paul shares with us what this looked like back in his days. Philippians four, fifteen through sixteen. Now you Philippians also know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving, but you only, for even in Thessalica, you sent aid once and again for my necessities. And we saw offerings giving in response to the apostles' ministry. Acts four, thirty four through thirty seven, nor was there anyone among them who lacked, for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet, and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the Apostles, which is translated son of encouragement, a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. And we saw how God views our offering and already knows the size of our wallets, so in no way is impressed with the amount given, but the sacrifice and faith that accompanies our offering. Mark twelve, forty one through forty four. Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury, and many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which makes a quadrant. So he called his disciples to himself and said to them, Assuredly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given into the treasury. For they all put in out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had, her whole livelihood, and a potential return on our generosity? Luke six thirty eight. Give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom, for with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. And this is one instance of how a people provided for Jesus, so that he could continue in his ministry unobstructed. Luke eight three. Now it came to pass afterward that he went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God, and the twelve were with him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna, the wife of Chusa, Herod Stewart, and Susanna, and many others who provided for him from their substance. And what of the spirit and attitude that we give from Second Corinthians nine seven, so that each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. And while let's transition from the New Testament period of grace to the Old Testament of the law and see how money moved about. But first let's look at the current connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Matthew five seventeen. Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill. I feel that we must establish a precedent, meaning that what's good for the goose, the Jews, is also good for the gander, the Gentiles. And but also let us find out why we should might name the seed, that is the offering that we generously give. While the specific phrase naming your seed is not found in the Bible, it is a practice in some Christian traditions that draws from several scriptural principles regarding the law of sowing and reaping. Proponents of naming a seed typically use the following verses to support the idea of assigning a specific purpose or expectation to a financial offering, reproducing after its kind. Genesis one, eleven through twelve. This passage establishes the natural law that every seed produces after its own kind. In this context, naming a seed is seen as choosing the kind of harvest you are believing for, e.g., healing, debt, freedom, or peace. Then God said, Let the earth bring forth grass and herb that yield seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself on the earth, and it was sow, and the earth brought forth grass and herbs that yielded seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind, and God saw that it was good. The law of sowing and reaping, Galatians six, seven through ten. Scripture states that whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Naming the seed is used as a way to specify the what that is being sown into the spiritual realm. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the spirit will of the spirit reap everlasting life, and let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Purposing in the heart, second Corinthians nine, six through seven. This verse encourages believers to give as he has decided in his heart. Teachers of this practice suggest that naming the seed is the act of setting that specific purpose or intention before giving. But this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully, so that each one gives as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. Seed time and harvest, Genesis eight twenty two. This foundational promise ensures that as long as the earth remains, the cycle of planting and harvesting will continue. While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease. The authority of words Mark eleven, twenty three through twenty four. Believers are encouraged to speak to the mountain and believe what they say will happen. Naming a seed is viewed as speaking words of faith over tangible points of contact. For assuredly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things that he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Financial resources in Second Corinthians ten, Paul refers to God supplying seed to the sower, which in that context related to financial collections for the poor in Jerusalem. Now may he who supplies the seed to the sower and bread for food supply and multiply the seed you have sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness. We can and should name our seed, our offering to apply to a specific need or church request. If I need a car, a house, furniture to get out of debt, resources for church activities, books, pamphlets, brochures, church merch, or ministry merch, or money for traveling as an evangelist, the list is endless, and the needs are always before us. You might say, Well, I cannot meet every need I come across in my day to day activities, and I would say if you thought like the king, priest, and ambassador that God tells us that we are, you never would have let those poverty laced words escape from your lips. Lack and poverty are not spiritual gifts. Revelations chapter one verse six, chapter five, verse ten, second Peter two nine, and second Corinthians five twenty. Our resources, all the resources that we need rests on this planet. We must access it through prayer, warfare, and concurrently through planting or sowing, so that we can reap a harvest, and as well through the use of our hands. Haggai two eight, Psalms ten, and Second Thessalonians three ten. Let's look at our timing or season. Ecclesiastes three two in part states a time to plant and a time to pluck what is planted. Now let's go to the infamous portion of the Malachi prophetic book in which it tells us the combination to God's financial safe. Malachi three eight through twelve. Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me. Let's look at the definition or original language and intent of that statement, you have robbed me. In the original Hebrew of Malachi three eight, for you have robbed me, carries a stronger meaning than simply theft. It implies defrauding, seizing, or withholding what is rightfully due to God, specifically tithes and offerings. The Hebrew uses a rare, harsh word, implying a blatant disregard for divine ownership. Unlike stealing or stealthily, quapa means to deprive, defraud, or take what is not yours through brazen, cynical means. It is used when someone acts as though God cannot or will not reclaim what belongs to him. The accusation, the full phrase yet you are robbing me, implies that people are taking what is designed for the temple and priests, and today that would mean the church. Context of the tithe. The text explains this robbery is in tithes and offerings, meaning they withheld the required ten percent of their produce, income, and special offerings. Pronoun emphasis The Hebrew structure places strong emphasis on you and me, creating a stark contrast between the people and God. Essentially it means that by neglecting their tithes and offerings, the people were treating God's property as their own, effectively defrauding him of his required portion. Do you treat God's property as your own? Continuing in verse eight, but you say, In what way have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse. Financial curses? Yes, and maybe others. For you have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that is the church, and but this also means offering, that there may be food in my house, resources to equip the saints for the work of ministry, making disciples, and even for the salaries of those in full time ministry. And try me in this now. This is the only place in the entire Bible where God tells us that we can test him. Let's look again at the definition or original language and intent of the statement try me now in this. In the original Hebrew, try me now in this from Malachi three hundred ten states it acts as a rare divine invitation to test, prove or examine God through faithful tithing, challenging believers to trust his promise of abundant provision and protection. Derived from the root bakchan, this verb means to examine, test, approve, often used in the context of testing metal for purity. A particle can mean now, please, or I pray, lending an urgent or personal tone to the invitation. Means in this referring specifically to the act of bringing the full tithe into the storehouse. The contextual meaning, a unique challenge. While testing God is typically forbidden in the Bible, e.g. Deuteronomy six sixteen, this verse is a unique invitation to put God to the test regarding financial stewardship. Promise of abundance. The context is a promise that if people tithe, God will open up the windows of heaven and pour out immense blessings. Trust and provision. The command is to test God's faithfulness, suggesting that if one gives to God, he will provide, making it impossible to be poorer for doing so. Back to the Malachi scripture continuing in verse ten. Says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. Let's see what open windows of heaven means. This phrase comes from Malachi three hundred ten, a promise from God regarding faithfulness and tithes. In the original Hebrew, it signifies an ultimate supernatural reversal of drought or scarcity, promising overflowing divine abundance, specifically abundant rain for crops that exceeds all human capacity to store or utilize it. Here's a breakdown of the Hebrew and its deeper meaning. Open the windows of heaven. In Hebrew cosmology, the windows or floodgates are where rain is released. Opening them represents a sudden divine release of resources and divine refreshing. Pour out for you, a dramatic verb meaning to pour out entirely until completely emptied, suggesting God will not hold back any part of the blessing. Blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. The Hebrew phrase agli da is key, meaning until there is no more need, until exhaustion, or beyond capacity. It implies an overwhelming abundance that surpasses all available storage, physical or spiritual. Contextual meaning, agricultural abundance. Since Malachi was addressing an agrarian society, this promise directly addresses a cessation of drought and crop failure, promising a surplus of food, spiritual financial provision. Today this is often interpreted as divine provision, not just money, but the source of blessing, such as wisdom, opportunity, and abundance for both material and spiritual needs. A testable promise. It is one of the rare places in Scripture where God invites people to test him or prove him through their obedience. Summary of interpretation literal promise, a promise of literal rain for crops, figurative or spiritual, a guarantee of overwhelming divine provision in all areas of life. Back to Malachi Scripture eleven, and I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field, says the Lord of hosts, and all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land, says the Lord of hosts. If you have to rebuke the devil off of your finances, then maybe you need to set some things in order. This scripture says if then I. Let's get God's perspective on devourer rebuking. In Hebrew, I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes. Malachi three hundred eleven promises that God will personally restrain, that is rebuke the eater, locusts, plagues, or destructive forces, promoting the crops, ensuring agricultural and financial abundance. It signifies divine protection or resources in response to obedience. And I will rebuke implies more than a scolding. It is a powerful, authoritative reprimand, sometimes translated as cripple or paralyze the enemy's ability to destroy. Genesis three fifteen, and I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed, he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. So the devour in the original context specifically means agricultural pests like locust caterpillars or plant diseases that destroys crops. Contextual meaning Divine Protection. God is promising to protect the fruits of the ground and ensure vines do not drop fruit prematurely. John fifteen sixteen. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give to you. Now that scripture is applying to the spiritual fruit, not the natural fruit. Conditional promise. The promise is linked directly to verse eight through ten, where Israel is commanding to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, promising to open up the windows of heaven. Ten cents on a dollar is the whole tithe. Anything less than the whole tithe is still described by God as thievery. Broadened interpretation, while historically referring to agricultural pests. In modern spiritual interpretation, the devourer is often interpreted as anything that sabotages or wastes resources, including financial loss or spiritual discouragement. And just to clip the rumor in the wings, the love of money is different than using unrighteous mammon for the kingdom, things of God. Luke sixteen nine. Loving money shuts the windows of heaven and opens up the doors to hell. Timothy six ten for the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, and some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. Holes in our purses, can't rub two nickels together most of the time? And well, why should this be? Haggai one six describes the futility of a life focused on personal comfort rather than God's priorities. It illustrates that despite hard work, the people's efforts were fruitless, earning wages only to have them disappear, like putting money into a purse with holes, because they neglected to rebuild the temple. Do you find yourself in lack much of the time? Key meaning of the verse, as commonly understood, include fruitless labor, planting much but harvesting little, Haggai one six signifies that a life without God's blessing leads to insatiable hunger, thirst and lack, misplaced priorities, the people focused on building their own luxurious paneled houses while leaving God's house in ruins. The bag with holes metaphor this represents economic hardship, inflation, or the futility of chasing money, where earning wages does not lend to contentment or security. Proverbs twenty three five. Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings, they fly away like an eagle towards heaven. A call for self examination. The verse is part of a call to consider your ways, Haggai one five and seven, urging the people to repent and put God first to experience prosperity. Essentially, it is a rebuke showing that disobedience results in dissatisfaction, whereas focusing on God's work allows for true fulfillment. Planting and naming seed is a right now word for today's church as we have been praying for revival and for the laborers, both of which we very much expect to happen. It is springtime and a great time for planting so that we get a fall harvest. God is our Father and wants to bless us immeasurably. Ephesians three twenty. Now to him to is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. The assignment of application. Grab a tithe and offering envelope and write on it today some needs that you might have personally, and based on what your pastors and leaders have shared in your church, and sow into those things. Name the seed for needs that are for you. Even if you don't have the resources right now, just put the envelope on your desk and watch how God works as you pray over those things. Two months ago I wrote on one of our prayer requests for our church on an envelope. It stated revival resources, and two months later I sold something that I wasn't using anymore and was able to place that seed in its pre-designated prophetic envelope and sow it. This has happened a multitude of times, ever since living where I live now, but it has also happened throughout my lifetime as a Christian. It is a practice that works. Now this portion of the message is presented to show you how much God took care of his people in the days when resources such as high paying jobs, the stock market, or financial experts weren't really around to guide the people. Also, I'm not listing all of the resources that God blessed his people with, as the list would be too comprehensive. Additionally, we are mostly focused on silver and gold with a slight mention of one offering which included bulls and sheep, lots of bulls and sheep. So in totality, this whole message is an underestimation of all the riches and wealth that God has given his people as listed in the Bible. Deuteronomy eight eighteen, and you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers as it is this day. But that doesn't mean that wealth doesn't come from other places, other than your hands or your mind. You will see this later as we discuss how wealth came from position, but also from the enemies of God. And it also states of riches and wealth, Ecclesiastes ten, nineteen. A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry, but money answers everything. Now so that we are not thrown off completely, the truth in reality is money doesn't answer everything such as sickness and disease, addictions, and using an example for today, funding abortions. So yes, money can be used to solve a lot of problems in righteousness, and but it can also create a lot of problems when used to feed sin and the appetites thereof. King David and King Solomon both had their issues, but money wasn't one of them. And when they sinned, God didn't break them financially. So it takes a considerable amount of wisdom to use money as God intended it to be used. I believe the primary purpose is to perpetuate the kingdom of God on earth, to help those in need, to make disciples and to equip the saints for the work of ministry. All of these things have administrative costs that are not seen by the public, which at times can run into the millions of dollars annually, especially for the larger ministries, if, by the way, they are actually doing what God called them to do. This is why I believe God is looking to get resources to us that we can use to do these things. But if we are short sighted and think that God is just trying to steal our money, or the church is just trying to take our money, and that God won't be able to work out the greatest of things through our life that may have been assigned to us to do before we were born, we will be right, even though we are wrong. All King Solomon's drinking vessels were gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Not one was silver, for this was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon. Why could King Solomon's drinking vessels and silverware be made of precious metal? Because he had been doing at this point in time the will of God. Is this something that only God attributes to those in royalty? I believe it was something that anybody who has a heartbeat of God on how to handle their resources, and that they can have the same thing today, not that this should be our objective. But I gotta be honest, I have thought about having my own gold and supperware set. All I am missing is the faith to get that gold, but that will change. In this next bit we can see just how much God had blessed Israel, and of course it is important to know that they got this when they were walking in his ordinances, statutes, and obeying his commands. I cannot believe that it would be any different for us today. Kings ten twenty seven. The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedar trees as abundant as the sycamores, which are into low lands. Second Chronicles one fifteen. Also, the king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as abundant as the sycamores, which are into low lands. And but also look at what else happened with King Solomon. He asked for wisdom and knowledge, and that resulted in getting what most of us put first. If we ask for wisdom and knowledge, like for example, how to lead people, handle the money that we do have, and obeying his commandments, it is likely that God would give us more. Second Chronicles one eleven through twelve. God said to Solomon, because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for wealth, riches, or fame, or even the death of your enemies, or a long life, but rather you ask for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people. I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested, but I will also give you wealth, riches, and fame, such as no other king has had before you or will ever have in the future. We may not have as much money or as much wisdom as Solomon, but we can get close, and God would still be right, and we would far exceed the current life that we are living now. And but no doubt you just heard that right. I will give you wealth, riches, and fame. Let's distinguish the difference between wealth and riches, and whoever knew that there was a difference. In Second Chronicles I verses eleven through twelve, God grants Solomon wisdom because he did not selfishly ask for riches, wealth or honor. While often used interchangeably, scriptural distinction suggests riches refers to accumulated money or possessions, whereas wealth often implies a broader abundance, lasting value and resources. Difference between riches and wealth refers to material, often temporary, financial abundance or money, implies a broader sense of resources, abundance or fullness. The verse emphasizes that Solomon did not ask for these material benefits, focusing instead on wisdom for leadership, causing God to grant him both wisdom and unprecedented material abundance. Riches, money, possessions, treasures, fortunes, wealth, abundance, resources, goods, and substance. Contextual synonyms. The verses show that some translations use riches, fortunes, honor or wealth, riches, fame, synonymously with the Hebrew concepts of Osher, prosperity or riches, and Netchaism or possessions. Heart attitude God rewards the motive of selfless service over greed, as Solomon asks for, wisdom to govern rather than personal gain. Divine priority. Riches are often promised or granted as a secondary result of seeking wisdom and righteousness, rather than being the primary goal. Responsibility. The passage implies that extreme wealth is a responsibility that comes with the burden of leadership and service to God's people. Psalms one hundred three two Blessed O the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalms one hundred sixteen twelve. What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits towards me? Are we beginning to see his benefits towards us regarding financial wealth and riches? Let's look at Israel's offerings, the building of the house of God. Now the only difference between building an actual tangible house of God from the Old Testament to the New Testament is that in the Old Testament it was an actual tangible building, but in the New Testament we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and God dwells within us. And yes, of course it includes the church building where we meet. And so but this doesn't negate the fact that we ought to be taking care of the tangible building and the ministries that are launched within, with our tithes and with our offerings. The next bit is about King David's passing on of his efforts to save resources for the house of God to his son, that he might build the house of God. The thing to pay attention to is the amount of wealth and riches God entrusted to King David, a man just like us. Chronicles twenty two, twelve through sixteen. Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. You see, Solomon didn't think to ask God for wisdom and understanding until his father King David told him to do so. It's right there in verse twelve. Then you will prosper if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be dismayed. Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the Lord one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stones also, and you may add to them. Moreover, there are workmen with you in abundance, woodsmen and stone cutters, and all types of skillful men for every kind of work, of gold and silver and bronze and iron, there is no limit. Arise and begin working, and the Lord be with you. So I made these little tables to break down what a talent means in today's pounds and ounces and US dollars. So in gold he gave a hundred thousand talents, that is seven million four hundred ninety three thousand seven hundred and seventeen pounds, or one hundred nineteen million eight hundred ninety nine thousand four hundred and seventy two ounces of gold. At today's prices that is five hundred seventeen billion dollars. Silver, one million talents, that is seventy five million pounds. US ounces one billion two hundred million ounces of silver. Today's value eighty eight billion two hundred twenty six million one hundred forty nine thousand six hundred eighty nine dollars. King David gave of his own personal stash as well. Yes, you can imagine the excitement of King David giving his own resources to the work of God. Chronicles twenty nine three through five. Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold and silver, three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, which is a very pure gold, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses, the gold for the things of gold, and the silver for the things of silver, and for all kinds of work to be done by the hands of craftsmen, who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the Lord. Okay, so David's offering gold three thousand talents equals two hundred and twenty six thousand eight hundred pounds of gold. Ounces three million six hundred and twenty eight thousand eight hundred ounces of gold. Today's prices fifteen billion three hundred and thirty million dollars. Silver seven thousand talents, which equals five hundred twenty nine thousand two hundred pounds, or eight million four hundred sixty seven thousand two hundred ounces. These are crazy numbers, right? Today's value six hundred and fifteen million dollars. Have you ever heard the saying, like king, like people? Generosity is contagious. The people gave willingly, not begrudgingly, but willingly. Then the leaders of the fathers' houses, leaders of the tribes of Israel, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the officers over the king's work, offered willingly. They gave for the work of the house of God five thousand talents and ten thousand dericks of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze, and one hundred thousand talents of iron, and whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the Lord, into the hands of Jehu the Gershenite. Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord, and King David also rejoiced greatly. Okay, so now we're down to those leaders who offered, and they gave five thousand talents, which is three hundred and seventy five thousand pounds of gold. That is six million ounces of gold. Today's price twenty eight billion three hundred and fifty two million four hundred thousand dollars. Gold derelicks, that's ten thousand D or one hundred and eighty five US pounds. That's two thousand nine hundred and sixty ounces, and today's price is thirteen million nine hundred and seventy eight thousand one hundred and eighty four dollars. Silver, ten thousand talents, that is seven hundred and fifty five thousand US pounds. That is twelve million eighty thousand US ounces. Today's price nine hundred and twenty million three hundred and seventy five thousand two hundred dollars. Remember, we're not including the value of any of the other items given other than silver and gold. I think the windows of heaven got stuck open during their times of obedience and proper sacrifice. Chronicles twenty nine fourteen. But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from you, and of your own we have given you. Perspective about money is extremely important. Could this be why they gave differently than we do today? Okay, so let's transition to the cost of another type of offering, which by the way, it was instructed by God that they had to sacrifice perfect animals as mentioned in the law. These animals were more expensive than the blemished animals. I wonder if God knew that it was going to cost his people more money to meet his strict requirement. Maybe he too had a different understanding of money than we do today. Second Chronicles seven five. King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. Let's look a little closer to the reality and the size of this sacrifice. Bulls amount twenty two thousand. Cost eighty denori for one bull. Time frame to earn several months of labor to earn eighty denori by one person. Total time or cost of investment one billion seven hundred sixty million days of labor or four thousand eight hundred and twenty one years of labor for all of the bulls sacrificed at this one event. Sheep one hundred twenty thousand. Half a day's wages for about one pound of meat. One sheep thirty to fifty pounds of meat. Time frame to earn twenty to twenty five days of labor for one sheep worked by one person. Total time or cost of investment? two million six hundred forty thousand labor days, or seven thousand two hundred and thirty three years of labor for all of the sheep sacrificed at this one event. This is a massive sacrifice of perfect animals to the same God we serve today. Did they ever run out of food, clothing? Were they ever defeated by their enemies when they were right and obedient to God? Were they ever short of money? No, on all accounts. No. I know you might be thinking I want to say, Podcast preacher, this is old Testament stuff, and God doesn't work like this in today's church. He gave them so much, you see, that no doubt he ran out of money before the New Testament period. No. Second Corinthians nine, six through eight. But this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully, so let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver, and God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. You notice we are right back to the seed thing? Luke six thirty eight. Give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom, for with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. If I had more time I would define what a good measure is, what pressed down means, and what does it mean to be shaken together and running over in the original Greek? Maybe you can do that. Anyway, and Luke eighteen, twenty nine through thirty. So he said to them, Assuredly I say to you, there is not one who has left houses, or parents or brothers, or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time and in the age to come, eternal life. So after the house of God was completed in the most excellent manner, befitting of God, and after the enormous sacrifice, which not only was a great sacrifice, but done by the people willingly, God decided to face time King Solomon. Second Chronicles seven, twelve through sixteen. Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night and said to him, I have heard your prayers, and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to prayer made in this place. For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there forever, and my eyes and my heart will be there perpetually. Worry, anxiety, and fear are not attractive to God. They are usually rooted in distrust and mistrust, in that God cannot solve our problems, no matter how big or small they are. I'm not saying that God won't answer your prayers when you have slipped into these errors, but it will make it more difficult for you to hear Him when and if He speaks. Worry, anxiety, and fear open up not the windows of heaven, but activate the principality of the airwaves, Ephesians 2 2, which that principality now, through those things we struggle with, can speak against the promises of God. We must again renew our minds regarding the wealth and riches things of God, so that we can build the things of God in our days, Roman twelve two. We want God to say, as he said before regarding our church, I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. Now my eyes will be open, and my ears attentive to prayer made in this place, in your church. My eyes and my heart will be there perpetually in your church. Isn't that what we want? This is how we deal with the fear of wealth and riches. Second Corinthians ten three through five. For though we walk in the flesh we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. One more example of godly people going over the top and offering for God? Okay, so let's go back into the days of Moses when they too built a tent tabernacle for God and see if the people were inclined to give an offering to ensure its wildly excellent and high quality construction. Exodus thirty six, two through seven. Then Moses called Bazael and Eholib, and every gifted artesian in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, everyone whose heart was stirred to come and do the work, and they received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of making the sanctuary. So they continued bringing to him free will offerings every morning. Then all the craftsmen who were doing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work he was doing, and they spoke to Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the Lord commanded us to do. So watch right here, can you imagine your pastor saying this? So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary, and the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done, indeed too much. I think we just need to sit on that for a minute and really think about where our hearts are at, and why so many churches struggle financially. These people were no different than us. Their hearts were different, they weren't as distracted as us, I'll give them that, but I think that it is also possible that we could have the same potential to do the same thing today for the kingdom of God that they did back then. Okay, so let's take a look at free will offerings to see what this means. In Exodus thirty six, two through seven, free will offerings are voluntary, generous contributions of materials given. Given by Israelites, whose hearts were moved to support the tabernacle construction. Unlike mandatory ties, these gifts were driven by love and eagerness, not coercion, demonstrating a heartfelt desire to give back to God. Key aspects of free will offerings they were free from compulsion or obligation. The offerings came from those whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved. The response was so overwhelming that the people continued to bring gifts every morning until Moses had to tell them to stop because there was more than enough. These materials, gold, silver, bronze, fabrics, etc, were explicitly for the building of the sanctuary. This passage highlights that truly honoring God involves cheerful, voluntary giving rather than forced obligation. Okay, back to the wealth and riches theme in King Solomon's days. In addition to what King David's government, his own personal stash, and the people offered to build the house of God that he might dwell with them, they also had a pipeline of offerings coming to them unceasingly. These were not just Christian nations, but some of them were their enemies at one time or the other. Remember that the king wasn't the only wealthy person, as silver and gold was a common thing in all of Israel. So we have two streams of wealth and riches that came into Israel, that is God's people, of which we also are in these very days, through their royalty and kingship, and but also through the battles they fought, or well, that God fought for them. And well but maybe it was written in the scriptures that this would happen anyways. Proverbs thirteen twenty two, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. Second Chronicles eight eighteen and Hiram sent his ships by the hands of his servants, and servants who knew the sea. They went to the servants of Solomon to Ofer, and acquired four hundred and fifty talents of gold from there, and brought it to King Solomon. Back to my table, four hundred and fifty talents, thirty three thousand seven hundred and fifty pounds. That's four hundred and ninety thousand fifty ounces. Today's price one billion one hundred and fifty million dollars. Second Chronicles nine nine, and she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great abundance, and precious stones, that never were any spices such as those the Queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. Talents one hundred and twenty, US pounds nine thousand, US ounces one hundred and thirty thousand seven hundred and twenty eight. Today's value six hundred and twenty million one hundred thousand dollars, and she carried all of that on the back of camels. Second Chronicles nine thirteen fourteen. The weight of gold that came to Solomon yearly was six hundred and sixty six talents of gold, besides what the traveling merchants and traders brought, all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon. Back to my table, talents six hundred and sixty six talents. US pounds forty nine thousand nine hundred and fifty pounds. US ounces seven hundred and ninety nine thousand two hundred ounces of gold. Today's price forty six million eighty six thousand one hundred and thirty three dollars. Second Chronicles nine twenty one. For the king's ships went to Taurish with the servants of Haram. Once every three years the merchant ships came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys. Second Chronicles nine twenty four. Each man brought his present, articles of silver and gold, garments, armor, spices, horses and mules, at a set rate year by year. Second Chronicles nine twenty. All King Solomon's drinking vessels were gold, and all of the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were pure gold, not one was silver, for this was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon. What things can we do when we are not afraid of lack, or when we give, soap, and name our seed? How can you change the landscape of where you live with these kinds of resources coming in through the harvest of God? So keep in mind that the above resources were not earned by Israel, but came to the King Solomon as royalty gifts. The people of Israel did not have to work to get those resources. Look again in case there is any doubt. Second Chronicles thirty one twelve. As soon as the commandment was circulated, the children of Israel brought in abundance the first fruits of grain and wine, oil and honey, and all the produce of the field, and they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything. And the children of Israel and Judah, who dwelt in the cities of Judah, brought the tithe of oxen and sheep, and also the tithe of holy things which were consecrated to the Lord their God, they laid in heaps. In the third month they began laying them in heaps, and they finished in the seventh month. Think about that, they were tithing for four months. And when Hezekiah and the leaders came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord and his people Israel. Then Hezekiah questioned the priest and the Levites concerning the heaps, and Azariah, the chief priest, from the house of Zedok, answered him and said, Since the people begin to bring the offerings into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and have plenty left, for the Lord has blessed his people, and what is left is this great abundance. eleven. Now Hezekiah commanded them to prepare rooms in the house of the Lord, and they prepared them. Then they faithfully brought in the offerings, the tithes, and dedicated things. Konaniah the Levite had charge of them. So did wealth and riches come to them any other way? How about through wars won, or battles fought? Now we see that the people had to trust God, and that he would fight the battles for them as long as they were right with him, right? Okay, so let's see what an Old Testament wealth and riches transfer looked like to God's people who showed up for the fight but didn't have to fight. Second Chronicles eighteen one. Jehosaphat had riches and honor in abundance, and by marriage he allied himself with Ahab. Second Chronicles twenty twenty five. When Jehoshat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away, and they were there three days gathering the spoil because there was so much. Numbers thirty one twenty five through fifty. Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Count up the plunder that was taken, of man and beast, you and Elizar, the priest, and the chief fathers of the congregation, and divide the plunder into two parts, between those who took part in the war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation, and levy a tribute for the Lord on the men of war who went out to battle, one of every five hundred of the persons, the cattle, the donkeys, and the sheep, take it from their half, and give it to Elzar the priest as a heave offering to the Lord. And from the children of Israel, half you shall take one of every fifty, drawn from the persons, the cattle, the donkeys, and the sheep, from all the livestock, and give them to the Levites who keep charge of the tabernacle of the Lord. You see how they are giving to the priests, that is the pastors of their day? So Moses and Elizar, the priest did as the Lord commanded Moses. The booty remained from the plunder, which the men of war had taken, was six hundred and seventy five thousand sheep, seventy two thousand cattle, sixty one thousand donkeys, and thirty two thousand persons in all, of women who had not known a man intimately, and the half the portion for those who had gone out to war, was in number three hundred and thirty seven thousand five hundred sheep, and the Lord's tribute of the sheep was six hundred and seventy five. The cattle were thirty six thousand, of which the Lord's tribute was seventy two. The donkeys were thirty thousand five hundred, of which the Lord's tribute was sixty one. The persons were sixteen thousand, of which the Lord's tribute was thirty two persons. So Moses gave the tribute which was the Lord's heave offering to Elzar the priest, as the Lord commanded Moses. And from the children of Israel half, which Moses separated from the men who fought. Now the half belonged to the congregation was three hundred and thirty seven thousand five hundred sheep, thirty six thousand cattle, thirty thousand five hundred donkeys, and sixteen thousand persons, and from the children of Israel's half Moses took, one of every fifty, drawn from man and beast, and gave them to the Levites, who kept charge of the tabernacle of the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses. Verse forty eight. Then the officers who went over thousands of the army, the captains of thousands of captains of hundreds, came near to Moses, and they said to Moses, Your servants have taken account of the men of war who are under our command, and not a man of us is missing. Therefore we have brought an offering for the Lord. What every man found of ornaments of gold, armlets, and bracelets and signet rings, and earrings and necklaces to make atonement for ourselves before the Lord. Good grief. Have you ever made an offering because God had done some great things in your life, maybe even preserved your life? Joshua eleven fourteen through sixteen, and all the spoil of these cities and the livestock the children of Israel took as booty for themselves, but they struck every man with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them, and they left none breathing. As the Lord commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone, of all that the Lord had commanded Moses. Thus Joshua took all this land, the mountain country, all the south, all the land of Goshen, the lowland, the Jordan Plain, the mountains of Israel, and its lowlands. He sent Hadoram his son to King David to greet him and bless him because he had fought against Hadadazar and defeated him, for Hadadazar had been at war with two, and Hadoram brought with him all kinds of articles of gold, silver and bronze. King David also dedicated these to the Lord, along with the silver and gold that he had brought from all these nations, from Edom, from Moab, from the people of Amon, from the Philistines, and from Amalek. Second Chronicles fourteen thirteen, and Asa and the people who were with him pursued them to Gerar, so the Ethiopians were overthrown, and they could not recover, for they were broken before the Lord and his army, and they carried away very much spoil. Second Chronicles thirty two, twenty nine. Moreover he provided cities for himself and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance, for God had given him very much property. You can also know that obedience and sacrifice coming from a willing heart leads you to prosperity through the working with your hands. This could be in and through the vocation of war and battles or in a career. eight eighteen. And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers as it is this day. Deuteronomy fifteen ten. You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing, the Lord your God will bless you in all your works, and in all to which you put your hand. Blessed shall ye be in the city, and blessed shall ye be in the country. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground, and of the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. The Lord will command a blessing on you, in your storehouses, and in all to which you set your hand, and he will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you. Deuteronomy thirty nine. The Lord your God will make you abound in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your land for good, for the Lord will again rejoice over you for good as he rejoiced over your fathers. Psalms ninety seventeen, and let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalms one three. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bring forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he does shall prosper. Joshua one seven. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that ye may prosper wherever you go. So we have thus far covered the great wealth and riches that God had bestowed on Israel when they were obedient. This is the same key for us to getting what they got. You can get it by living in a wealthy and rich nation, pursuing God, by your own personal application of God's wisdom, sowing named seed through offerings, by the working of your hands, and your mind. And but wealth can also be transferred to you by way of battle through your enemies, or through victorious warfare prayer, and calling those things that don't exist as though they do, Romans four seventeen. You can also get money transferred to you from the unrighteous. Bottom line is to give as often as you can and name the seed, that is the offering, so as to be able to do all that God has called you to do, and for his church to do. Be on the lookout for all of the other revenue streams flowing monetarily, resources into your purse that no longer has holes in it. Let's close in prayer. May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before your God and Father at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. Now may the God of peace, the one in whom we call wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, may He Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. To our Lord of Lords and our King of Kings, to our high and lifted up, great high priest who has, once and for all, paid the price, that you might see and hear God. May He hear and respond to our prayers. To our God we stand and pray as He too always lives to make intercession for you who is seated at the right hand of the Father. May the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you, but is well pleasing in his sight. To Jesus Christ, in whom we glory forever and ever. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. Well that's it for today. Remember, it's not what you find wrong and disagree with the Lord in these messages, but what you can take away from it. Together we can do more to impact the kingdom than if we work alone. Let's flip the script and still kill and destroy the works of the enemy and create space for the light of light to shine through into people's lives. Plan a seed and click on the like and subscribe button. Repost on your social media platform, and help us to make disciples. Link this message out or teach from it in your Bible study, life or style group. And yes, even in your church, you can be assured it comes from one call to teach. And though imperfect, you have the word of God in you to test everything I say. Let's build this ministry together. Thanks to see you next time. Deep