The Divine Formula For Great Blessings
Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the LORD in the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead these people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given to you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have."
. . . Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones…
2 Chronicles 1:6-15
Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead these people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given to you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have."
. . . Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones…
2 Chronicles 1:6-15
There are certain things that consistently touch and move the heart of God all through Scripture. Two of them are generosity in giving to God and putting God's agenda above our own. I call these spiritual principles, "The Divine Formula for Great Blessings."
It is evident that God is moved by our sacrificial giving to Him. When God received Abel's offering of "fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock," the Bible tells us that the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering but He did not look with favor on Cain and his scanty offering. When God smelled Noah's burnt offering, He released a blessing on Noah and all humanity. When God saw the generosity of Abraham when he laid Isaac on the altar, He promised to make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the skies. The Bible also tells us in Acts 10 that the generous giving of Cornelius caused God to bless his whole household. God is moved by our generosity.
God is also moved when we place His agenda over ours. Jesus Himself made it clear that if we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, God will supply all our existential needs. God is not a liar. He watches over every word of His to ensure that they are fulfilled. Solomon put both principles to work early in His relationship with God and he was blessed phenomenally. He offered a thousand burnt offerings and God was so touched that He promised to bless Solomon with whatever his heart desired. Solomon also asked for wisdom to govern God's people and God granted that request along with great wealth. He put God first.
Believe it or not, God has not changed; neither have the principles by which He operates. Giving generously out of a pure heart and putting God's interest above ours will always move the hand of God. It is an unchanging spiritual reality. Will you put God to the test and try it?
It is evident that God is moved by our sacrificial giving to Him. When God received Abel's offering of "fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock," the Bible tells us that the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering but He did not look with favor on Cain and his scanty offering. When God smelled Noah's burnt offering, He released a blessing on Noah and all humanity. When God saw the generosity of Abraham when he laid Isaac on the altar, He promised to make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the skies. The Bible also tells us in Acts 10 that the generous giving of Cornelius caused God to bless his whole household. God is moved by our generosity.
God is also moved when we place His agenda over ours. Jesus Himself made it clear that if we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, God will supply all our existential needs. God is not a liar. He watches over every word of His to ensure that they are fulfilled. Solomon put both principles to work early in His relationship with God and he was blessed phenomenally. He offered a thousand burnt offerings and God was so touched that He promised to bless Solomon with whatever his heart desired. Solomon also asked for wisdom to govern God's people and God granted that request along with great wealth. He put God first.
Believe it or not, God has not changed; neither have the principles by which He operates. Giving generously out of a pure heart and putting God's interest above ours will always move the hand of God. It is an unchanging spiritual reality. Will you put God to the test and try it?
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that your word is settled forever. I thank you for your promise that generosity in giving along with putting you first in my life will place me in a position to receive your blessings. Please help me not to be stingy and selfish but to truly follow your time-tested principles. Thank you Lord in Jesus' Name. Amen.