Living in Abundance

by Creflo A. Dollar Jr.

Now more than ever, the Body of Christ is learning that it pays to serve the Lord. For example, when you look for employment, do you take a job solely on how much it pays? Of course not! Not only do you look for good pay and fair treatment, but you also keep in mind the quality of the benefits offered to you. It's the total package that often determines where you decide to work. The same is true in the spirit realm. Psalm 103:2 says, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." You see, God's benefit package includes a blood-bought right to wealth and riches, divine health, wisdom and preferential treatment (Ps. 112:3; Is. 53:5; Prov. 3:4).These benefits began as an everlasting covenant with Abraham, and extends to his seed, meaning you and me (Ps. 105:8-10; Gal.3:29). Jesus paid the ultimate price so that we would forever be eligible to walk in these heavenly benefits daily. In fact, when you received Jesus Christ, the Anointed One and His Anointing,as your Lord and Savior, you became the seed of Abraham. You now have a covenant right to the blessings that God promised him in Genesis 12:3 and Deuteronomy 28.Get Understanding Due to a lack of clear understanding about our covenant and covenant rights, many Christians have notreceived the benefits that are theirs as children of God. To understand simply means "to piece together, tocomprehend, or to grasp." When you have understanding, it enables the Word to take root in your heart. Inother words it becomes "rhema," or real to you. Therefore, when you fully understand that you are the seedof Abraham, you can stand on that Word and expect your inheritance to manifest itself in your life.Think of it this way: When your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents die, as a family member, youare an heir to their estate. You have the right to receive their possessions as your own. Their houses, land,jewelry, money and everything else they may own will be passed on to you. Likewise, as the seed ofAbraham, you have a right to inherit the blessings that were bestowed on him.Birthright alone, however, does not qualify you to receive your inheritance. God also requires yourobedience. In Deuteronomy 28:1-14, the Word describes the blessings that come from obedience. In fact,God promised to set you above all nations of the earth. You will be blessed when you come in and blessedwhen you go out. Everything you do will prosper.Some people might say, "That's all in the Old Testament. We live by the new covenant now." Child of God,when you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you became an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ(Rom. 8:14-17). And since Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), it's safe to saythe Old Testament blessings still apply.You see, we were adopted into the family of God (Ephesians 1:4-5). And since we are His children, we havea right to all of the promises in the Bible. We have a right to have all of our needs met, be free from worry,and live an abundant life (Phil. 4:6, 19; John 10:10). That's what Jesus came to earth for - to set us free fromthe bondage of sin and death and usher us into the land of more than enough.You're Supposed to Be WealthyWe also have a right to the wealth of God. Psalm 112:3 says, "Wealth and riches shall be in his house: andhis righteousness endureth forever." And The Amplified Bible tells us, "Prosperity and welfare are in hishouse." As a born-again Christian, you have inherited houses, riches, and eternal life (Is. 65:21; Ps. 112:1-3;John 3:15). In addition, you have inherited a right to God's omnipotent power, His anointing (Eph. 1:19).Everything you could ever want or need has been provided for you; however, you must receive yourinheritance. Proverbs 5:10 says, "Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labors be in the house of astranger." In other words, if you don't receive, or walk in your inheritance, someone else will try to cash in onit. That someone is the Devil. Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that "Satan comes only to steal, kill and destroy."Don't let him have what is yours! You are a child of God (1 Pet. 2:9). Don't let someone who is a stranger tothe covenant take what belongs in the family! For example, if an attorney called a meeting for the reading ofyour relative's will, everyone in your family would probably show up because they'd want to know what theyhad inherited. However, if a stranger - someone who has no relationship with the family - showed up,everyone would ask, "Who are you? What are you doing here? What makes you think you have a right toanything?" You wouldn't sit by and let someone take what belongs to you. You'd run them out of there! So,put the thief on notice once and for all! Say, "Devil, in the name of Jesus, God's Word says you must restoreeverything you've stolen from me. I want my stuff now!"The Good LifeNow keep in mind that before you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you were a stranger to thecovenant. That means you weren't entitled to anything but death and poverty. Ephesians 2:12-13 says: "Atthat time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from thecovenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye whosometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."But thank God for the blood of Jesus! Now that you are a member of His body, you can partake of Hiscovenant blessings. You see, God has always purposed for you to live the good life.It's hard to understand why people have a problem with Christians enjoying the fruit of their labor. Theyseem to take offense when you live well. But the Word says wealthy living is good. In fact, it's part of yourdivine inheritance. God gave you the riches, wealth and power to enjoy. It's all part of His covenant with you.Child of God, there is much more to your salvation than just eternal life. The Greek word for salvation istranslated "soteria," which includes deliverance, victory, health, wholeness and prosperity. Yes, eternal life isa big part of it, but it's not the sum total of the experience. There is nothing wrong with being prosperous. Asa child of the King, you're supposed to live abundantly. In fact, the Old Testament makes clear that peoplewho were in covenant relationship with God were recognized by their wealth. Now, however, people tend tothink and say all kinds of evil things about you when you enjoy the blessings of God.Well, they're going to have to change their thinking, because God is raising up millionaires to show the worldthat it pays to serve Him. God rewards the obedience of His people with bountiful blessings! You see, youcan't bless anyone when you're broke or just barely getting by. And you can't show someone what it's like tobe in covenant with God when you're in debt or in poverty. But by living in abundance, we prove thegoodness and faithfulness of God. You may think, "I don't need to be a millionaire. I don't require that much."Well, Child of God, it will take all of that and more, because He has called you to be a blessing to others.God wants you to experience all of the wonderful benefits that come from His covenant relationship withyou. You will be able to supply the needs of those around you, promote the gospel, and bring others into anintimate covenant relationship with Him.

Thank you brother Charles Peters for sharing this.