Will those who love and obey God reap earthly reward while those who do not, will not?
This is a question people often ask.
No doubt, the Scriptures make it clear that those who follow TORAH and make Yeshua Lord of their lives, will undoubtedly see an increase of fruit in their lives.
It is without a doubt advantageous to us in this earthly life to be obedient to God.
However, this concept can be easily misunderstood.
For example, if an unbeliever emulates the TORAH principles of sound business practices and stewardship, he may well achieve prosperity and what appears to be great success in his life.
But that doesn’t mean he has been blessed by God.
He won’t receive the spiritual blessings or SHALOM from YHVH which is ultimately what every human being on this planet is seeking.
In many cases, much prosperity and abundance minus God’s SHALOM can be a trap of the devil.
Look at all of the broken and dysfunctional homes among the rich.
I’m not saying there is anything wrong with wealth, but when mammon becomes your god, it more often than not leads to stress and anxiety rather than peace.
When a believer and an unbeliever obeys the immutable principles set down in God’s TORAH, on the surface they may both appear to be prospering but it’s ONLY the believer who receives spiritual blessings or true SHALOM from YHVH.
Why?
Simple, and I can give you the answer in one word: MOTIVE.
The believer seeks to please God and as a nice side result, he is blessed and prospers on this earth.
The unbeliever on the other hand could care less about the things of God.
He just wants to make money and as a result of his intense desire to do so, he may very well succeed but it will never be enough.
He’ll just keep trying to earn more and more, and keep trying to stuff more and more cash into his bank account and trust me, it will NEVER be enough, because he hasn’t solved the real problem, which is the gaping wound in his soul that can only be satisfied by the things of the Lord.
Achieving great wealth is not necessarily the same thing as receiving God’s blessing.
I hope this helps you understand a little more how the evil inclination and good inclination residing inside of us works.
Doing what seems to be good on the surface is NOT good if the motivation is wrong.
If your motives are self-directed instead of God-directed, you’re in for a world of dissatisfaction.
And that is why it is so important to be born again and have the Spirit of the Living God dwelling within you, so that your good inclinations can be properly channelled and guided by our Father who art in heaven.
Minus the Wisdom and Spirit of God dwelling within us, even our attempts to do good become evil.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“No one can serve two masters.
Either you will hate the one
and love the other,
or you will be devoted to the one
and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and money.“
-Matthew 6:24
” I am not saying this because I am in need,
for I have learned to be content
whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need,
and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content
in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry,
whether living in plenty or in want.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
-Philippians 4:11-13
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