Our Opportunity in Prosperity

Solomon was the last king who reigned over all of Israel.  When his son Rehoboam took over the throne, the kingdom promptly split in two:  into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.  Thus, the time of Solomon’s reign has been held by many to be apex, the pinnacle, the high point of the nation of Israel.  I suppose it was in many ways; but it also quickly became a very low point for the nation.

            The blessings and prosperity enjoyed at the beginning of Solomon’s reign eventually seemed to eclipse the people’s desire for the Lord, the people’s priority of the Lord, and therefore in the height of their prosperity the nation slid toward apostasy.  It’s a real danger of prosperity while we’re living coping with our sinful flesh, our old sin nature.  There’s an almost frightening propensity for all of us to lose focus and dependence on the Lord in the midst of prosperity.  There’s a real danger to become self-seeking and self-consumed during times of prosperity – instead of being a God-seeker, consumed with Him.  It’s a pattern that has been repeated in history….

            The people of Sodom were living in a place of prosperity and abundance – before they turned to gross immoral behavior.  Ezekiel 16:49 says that Sodom had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness, while not using their blessings, their abundance to strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.  Instead they were haughty.  They thought a lot of themselves.  They used their prosperity for selfish gratification – and that led to abominable behavior – gross immorality.  Thus the root of their sin, their immorality that brought judgment, was established during times of great prosperity….

            In Revelation 3, Jesus addressed the church at Laodicea, a church that seems to portray, to point prophetically to the last day’s church.  Jesus said to that church in Revelation 3:15-17; Revelation 3:15-17:

"“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—"

            The church of Laodicea became un-useful for the Lord even unpleasant to the Lord because of their confidence in their prosperity.  Yes, their affluence led to a sense of independence – which resulted in an ignorance of their real spiritual condition.

            I’m pointing this out – because, although we’re certainly not living in the richest community in America, compared to the world, we’re very prosperous.  Although our economy seems to be heading the wrong way – as we’re all dealing with increasing prices – and gas hovering around $4 a gallon --- we still, in comparison to most of the world are very well off.  Therefore, in our prosperity, it’s important to not lose focus on the Lord, to not become independent or self focused.  I’m reminded of the words of Paul to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:17-19.  He wrote in 1 Timothy 6:17-19:

 " Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

            In other words, Paul told Timothy to tell people who are well off to not put their trust in what they have – but in the Lord AND to tell them to use their wealth to do good things for others -- to use the blessings that God has given to us to be a blessing to others…. That’s the opportunity the Lord gave ISRAEL – in fact, part of the promise He made to Abraham – in Genesis 12:2 – that he would be blessed to be a blessing. So remember, when the Lord blesses you, don’t go the way of Sodom, or the way of Solomon, or the way of the church at Laodicea – remember, when the Lord blesses us, He’s enabling us to do things to demonstrate His love and proclaim His truth in a world that so desperately needs Him….That’s our opportunity an opportunity that, if embraced, actually protects us from a great declension and drifting from the Lord….