We want to answer the question, “does God test us?” Yes He does test believers but not in the ways that so many people teach. To help define what a test from God is biblically, we are looking at what it is not biblically. After this article we will look into God’s testing of mankind.
The last two assumptions have been 1) financial problems and 2) just any kind of adverse situation.
When considering mankind’s financial adversities, I start in the beginning with Adam and Eve in the garden. Did they ever lack while living in the garden before the fall? They lacked nothing and had everything provided for them. So the logical conclusion is that God isn’t responsible for any of mankind’s lack in this world. If God was behind mankind’s poverty then you would have seen it from the beginning starting with Adam and Eve. They would have been in poverty in the garden. If He did it then, then you could reasonably argue that He will do it now and you can be sure that there will be poverty for mankind’s future as well. God never changes. He is always the same.
Adam and Eve were charged by God to subdue the earth, which means they should have kept it in order even though Satan tempted them. Subduing the earth included subduing the devil and demons, which are still roaming on the earth today.
So you can readily see that the only reason for poverty is because of the curse, which was brought on by man’s sin and Satan’s will. Truly we are still supposed to subdue the earth today. We are the church and Jesus broke the power of both sin and Satan. In the same way we will limit prosperity in our lives if we are not walking in God given authority. We need to rule this earth for His glory.
Even though there is poverty on the earth, all our financial needs can be met by God. What we need is already here on the planet, so if we can believe for it then we can have it. Keep in mind that God won’t rain money down from Heaven because that would be counterfeit money. God doesn’t bless us through illegal means. The end does not justify the means.
So what is the basic plan for financial prosperity? He said that He will meet all our needs. One of the ways is through the practice of sowing and reaping.
Galatians 6:6-10 (NKJV)
6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
What goes around comes around. Give it to the kingdom of God and you’ll be blessed. The place to start is by giving your tithes to your local church.
Malachi 3:10 (NKJV)
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
Hebrews 7:8 (NKJV)
8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.
Add to that, giving to everyone that you can, especially to the poor.
Proverbs 19:17 (NKJV)
17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
And He will pay back what he has given.
Matthew 5:42 (NKJV)
42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
Proverbs 11:24-26 (NKJV)
24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.
25 The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.
26 The people will curse him who withholds grain,
But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
There are plenty more Scriptures in the Bible on God’s plan for prosperity, so start practicing these few principles today. You’ll begin heading in the right direction for financial victory.
Proverbs 10:22 (NKJV)
22 The blessing of the Lord makes one rich,
And He adds no sorrow with it.
To finish up here on what is not a test from God. If there is any kind of adversity that you are facing today, God will deliver you out of it. In the Bible you can find the truths that you need for victory. You can be sure that God has your back.
PSALM 34:19 (NKJV)
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
God delivers us out of all afflictions! So He is not the one toying around with our lives by afflictions. Satan is the one who afflicts us and will continue to do so if we let him. God, however, will stand with us in our resistance against the enemy. The enemy has been defeated already by Jesus. So God won’t use enemy tactics to test anybody. He fights our common enemy with us. Always stand against the enemy’s attacks. You must enforce Jesus’ victory over Satan.
Ephesians 6:10-11 (NKJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
This is not a TEST from God!
(Continued next Pastor Seed)
