In Deuteronomy 8:14, we’re reminded that when we receive God’s blessings, we’re not to let our hearts be lifted up and forget the Lord who humbled us in the wilderness.  As prosperity begins to come, money brings power.  Money brings independence.  How we have to guard ourselves against these things, realizing that God wants us blessed.  But oh, beloved, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul; amen?  There needs to be the preparation of our hearts to receive the blessings of God and not have sorrow with them.  You see, a lot of what we’ve gone through is preparation of heart and character so God can do us good, here, at the end.  There are some hard times that are coming, even upon this nation.  But he said, be careful not to say in your heart, my power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth.  Take heed.  Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, (Listen!) that he may establish his covenant which he swear unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”  The purpose for God blessing us and making us rich is to establish His covenant; amen?  Are you preparing your heart, now, so you’ll be able to use the supernatural gain that He’s going to be bringing your way to establish the covenant?  The covenant has many different aspects to it.  One great aspect we see is the preaching of the gospel and getting this gospel out into all the world and then the end will come; amen?  The other aspect is the sustenance, the sustaining of the church.  The edification of the church is so vital.  Even as it comes to one of the great commandments.  One of the great admonitions of the Scripture is that we would take care of the poor.  But He makes a difference, here, and He says especially those that are of the household of faith; amen?  So, when we begin to minister in these last days, as things get hard and some of us God is prospering, the reason is so that we might have to give to others.  Now don’t worry, we’re going to get into the part where you get to keep some.  I know that’s what many of you are thinking, “What’s in it for me?  How are we going to…?”  You’re in good company.  “Lord, we’ve given all.  What’s in it for us?” Peter said; amen?  But I want us to see this aspect so that our hearts can be prepared in this hour.  The Scripture is clear, as He speaks here and admonishes us, “Remember the Lord thy God for it is he that giveth thee power to obtain wealth that we might establish His covenant.”  God wants to bless us and to prosper us.

In Proverbs, Chapter 3, “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart (Amen?) and lean not to your own understanding,” verse 5, “In all of your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.”  Don’t set up your own wealth program.  Don’t be wise in your own eyes.  “Fear the Lord, depart from evil.  The Word of God shall be health to your navel and marrow to your bones,” verse 9.  “Honour the Lord with your substance.”  With your wealth.  With your abundance.  Honor God with it “and with the first fruits of all of your increase.”  God wants us to continually understand this heart of thanksgiving.  This heart of recognition of Him being the source by the giving of our first fruits and offering that to Him; amen?  “Of all of your increase.”  If you give abundantly, you’ll receive abundantly.  With what measure you mete, it will be measured to you again.  So, we’re talking about honoring God and recognizing Him as the source.  The Holy Spirit is saying here that as we honor Him, our barns will be filled with plenty and our presses shall burst with new wine.  That’s quite a promise.