(a chapter from the section, The Growth Paradigm, of my book, Heaven on Earth)
In a global community, I value all the different cultures and the diversity in each culture. I notice that in financially-focused cultures, people are rewarded materially for their financial skills. In developed nations, people are materially rewarded for their intellectual growth or long hours at work. In the context of the over-emphasis of material rewards:
Family health and community growth takes a back seat.
Emotional growth and relationship growth takes a back seat.
Spiritual growth takes a back seat.
How can we manage ourselves so that financial prosperity does not override our basic human needs? Many times, the definition of Biblical prosperity (as in peace and prosperity) has attracted bad media focus. There are in fact many axes to the definition of Biblical prosperity:
- Personal health
- Family health
- Emotional health and growth
- Mental health and growth
- Healthy and functional relationships
- Spiritual growth
- Financial prosperity
- Inner peace and rest
Again, when we speak of God’s blessings, the Biblical definition of spiritual blessings includes all these aspects of life, and more besides.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.
The Apostle John writes in Jesus’ own words:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Jesus came so that we could have a full life. This full life that Jesus speaks of comes by receiving for ourselves every spiritual blessing made accessible to us because we are united in Christ Jesus.
If you have ever looked at a cross-section of the trunk of a healthy tree, you will see concentric rings emanating from the centre of the trunk. When all the conditions are favorable and right for tree growth, there will be a new ring for each year showing new growth. You can also spot when the tree has experienced a dry year because the ring growth has not been quite as healthy.
When God is in charge of the growth in our lives, growth becomes relentless if we persist in spiritual disciplines, regardless whether in good times or in tough times. In spiritual terms, unfavorable conditions are not when times are good or times are tough. In spiritual terms, unfavorable conditions happen because of sin, but through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
God can also turn around tough times so that they benefit us all the time.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
May the grace and peace of Abba Father the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Thank You, Abba Father, Lord Jesus Christ.
Word Sabre, scribe for Abba Father, LORD GOD, Lord Most High, Lord Jesus Christ.