RICHES AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
(week 14/17)
OLUBI JOHNSON

2Corinthians 8:9 NKJV:  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Here, the scripture reveals to us that it is the will of God that we be rich: not just provided for; but richly rich!!!

Now what is God’s definition of rich?

2Corinthians 9:8 AMP:  And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].

Only very few, if any, men on the earth presently are this rich:

Many wealthy people on earth still need the aid and support of banks for their investments and while they can and do give to many good works and charities, they are not able to give to EVERY good work and charitable donation.

To do this, one must be super rich not only in cash and assets, but also in owning the means of production of goods and services: so not requiring aid or support!

This level of prosperity and riches is described in

Deuteronomy 28:1-14 KJV:  And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: (2)  And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. (3)  Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. (4)  Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. (5)  Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. (6)  Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. (7)  The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. (8)  The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. (9)  The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways. (10)  And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee. (11)  And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee. (12)  The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. (13)  And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: (14)  And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

Observe that this level of prosperity is CONDITIONAL on DILIGENT OBEDIENCE and that is why we have not seen it in manifestation yet; but it is THE WILL OF GOD!

The degree of prosperity we have seen hitherto in the church has been proportional to the degree of our diligent obedience.

For the church to really become rich, our level of obedience and righteousness: right-doing must increase exponentially, using the blood, the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit to perfect obedience!

Hence this prophetic message on riches and righteousness!

This truth is further confirmed in:

Proverbs 8:18-21 KJV:  Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. (19)  My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. (20)  I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: (21)  That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

Here, the scripture describes ABUNDANT RICHES that are PERMANENT but ONLY come with righteousness and justice.

Hitherto, we have experienced some degree of divine provision of food, raiment (1 Timothy 6.13) and supply (Philippians 4.19); however, we are not as rich as God wants us to be!

Why?

This level of prosperity can ensnare and trap (1 Tim. 6.9-10) us like it did Solomon (1 Kings10.14-29; 11.1, Ecclesiastes 2.4-11) so IT IS CONDITIONAL UPON DILIGENT RIGHTEOUSNESS!

In our article next week, we will see in more detail WHY AND HOW God wants us to be THIS RICH.