The Purpose of Wealth

“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” – Deuteronomy 8:18

Is your kingdom business profitable? Do you understand God’s purpose for wealth?

Kingdom businesses must be profitable. Without profit, wealth cannot be generated. According to Deuteronomy 8:18, without wealth God’s covenant will not be established.

The Google dictionary defines wealth as the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money. It is also defined as an abundance of material possessions and resources.

Of course, kingdom wealth goes beyond material possessions. It also includes spiritual riches such as righteousness, peace, and joy. So then, the definition of kingdom wealth is the abundance of material possessions and resources with righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Natural abundance without spiritual abundance is empty and useless.

Unfortunately there is great confusion in the world and in the body of Christ about what true wealth is, how it is acquired, and its purpose. The world limits wealth to material things. Some in the body of Christ define wealth by the income people make rather than the sustained profit that is generated through industrious activities. True wealth must include spiritual abundance and must be sustainable; otherwise it is empty and short lived.

The scripture is clear. God has given us (the body of Christ), power to get wealth. If this is so, why is it that the body of Christ still suffers from lack of resources to carry out the mandate of Christ?

There are four key reasons:

• We are not obeying the scriptures in all aspects of our lives.
• We tend to employ worldly strategies to acquire wealth.
• We have an income-based model rather then a wealth-based model.
• We attempt to limit our strategies to miracles rather than blending miracles with industry.

Kingdom wealth is acquired through obedience to the word of God, industry, and sustained profits. Obeying God’s word gives us his favor, while industry allows us to use our God-given gifts, skills, and treasures to diligently take advantage of market opportunities.

What is sustained profit? Sustained profit is the net difference between expenses and income over a period of time. Profitable businesses are able to keep their expenses below their income, which begins the process of wealth building. Wealth is built by sustaining profits over the long term, minimizing business liabilities, and investing the profits in other income-generating activities. You know you are beginning to generate wealth when you no longer depend on merely your labor to generate income. Rather, the income is being generated by reinvested profits.

So what is the purpose of wealth? God blesses us with wealth so that we can use the wealth to fulfill His covenant. What is God’s covenant? God’s covenant is the will of God for all mankind. What is God’s will for all mankind? Though all of mankind will not realize it because of man’s rebellion and disobedience, God’s will includes these provisions:

• That all be saved—John 3:16
• That all experience the abundant life—John 10:10
• The works of the enemy be destroyed—1 John 3:8
• That none of His children suffer lack—1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, Acts 4:34

My prayer for you this week is that the Lord will grant you the grace and wisdom to profit from marketplace opportunities so you can begin generating wealth to fulfill His covenant.