How to be Rich - 4
HOW TO BE RICH - 4
“How to Be Rich in Faith”
Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? James 2:5
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. Romans 10:12
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! Romans 11:33
- Being rich in faith is experiencing God.
Experiencing God is knowing Him and learning to trust Him with our lives. It is understanding that God truly does love us and has created us with a purpose. It is yielding to Him not just day to day, but moment to moment. It is surrendering our plans and ambitions to Him and seeing Him make something beautiful out of our lives.
- Being rich in faith does not make us exempt from problems.
Contrary to what many think, experiencing a close walk with God doesn’t mean all of our problems will fade away. Problems are part of life, however, a believer has a personal relationship with the One who has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. That means He will be with us no matter problem may come our way.
- Being rich in faith does not mean we never struggle.
Let’s be honest. There are no perfect Christians. We don’t always react the way we should when we are put to the test. Sometimes our faith falters, but the object of our faith is the same yesterday, today, and forever. One day a man brought his demon possessed son to Jesus to be healed. His situation seemed hopeless for even Jesus’ disciples couldn’t help.
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:23-24
The Bible is not a book of unproven theories. It is not about superhuman men and women who live in some type of fantasy world.
The Bible records the stories of real men and women who experienced real lives filled with real problems and heartaches yet continued to experience real faith.
1. YOU ARE RICH IN FAITH WHEN YOU CAN PRAISE GOD IN THE MIDST OF PAIN AND SORROW.
Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:20-21
It is a weak faith which does not hold up when the storms arise.
On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Mark 4:35-40
It is as we endure the storms and witness the power of God that our faith grows and matures.
2. YOU ARE RICH IN FAITH WHEN YOU CAN TRUST GOD EVEN WHEN YOU CAN NOT SEE THE SOLUTION.
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:10
A very important characteristic of one who is a follower of Jesus Christ is trust. In fact it is often in a time of crisis that we learn the most about how our God can meet our needs.
The Old Testament prophet Elijah was one of the greatest prophets the nation of Israel would ever see. He brought the Word of God to a very troubled nation and was used of God in a mighty way. However, as the people of Israel suffered through a devastating famine, God would preserve the life of His prophet by the simple obedience of a poor widow. God directed Elijah ask her to provide for him even though she didn’t even have nearly enough to take care of herself and her son. Her response to God’s promise is a tremendous illustration of one who was rich in faith. When the prophet approached her and asked for something to eat …
So she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear, go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. For thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.’” So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:12-16
This widow was not even of the nation of Israel, yet she knew enough about the God of Israel to trust Him. If she had refused to give what she had in obedience to God’s Word, she and her son would have soon starved to death. Yet her simple trust not only spared her life but has made her an example of faith to the thousands upon thousands who would read this story.
3. YOU ARE RICH IN FAITH WHEN YOU CONTINUE TO TRUST IN SPITE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES
By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Hebrews 11:11
At ninety years of age, when she was well past her child bearing years, Sarah gave birth to Isaac. He was the fulfillment of the promise given to Abraham many years before. Lest we think those who are rich in faith are only the “super saints” remember that Sarah laughed when she was told she would have a child at her age. However, she believed God’s promise and God has pointed her out to us as a woman of great faith.
To be rich in faith is to trust God for all things not our own wisdom or resources. It is the only way to live for we are to be rich in faith and not “to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17
