by Bill Rudge
The many blessings and miracles God has bestowed in my life, family and ministry have not come about because of “proper confession” or using the “right” technique, formula or ritual, but because of faith in Him and obedience to His Word. I have not sought these things, but I have sought Him: to know and obey His will and to make Him Lord over every aspect of my life. As a result, He has honored and blessed me in many ways. My motivation is not merely to receive His blessing; I don’t serve Him for prosperity. For, if He removes His hand of blessing (as He has occasionally done), I will still serve and honor Him.
The Lord has blessed me financially, but we choose to give most of it away and live a moderate lifestyle. I could be easily justified in accepting a salary of two or even three times more than I do, but we have chosen instead, to use that money to spread the Gospel throughout the world. Some people spend their time and energy trying to get God to give them wealth and prosperity. However, Scripture repeatedly indicates that spiritual riches are far more important than material wealth; honoring Him proves to be the wisest path.
Jesus said: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). The apostle Paul admonishes: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). First Timothy 6:18 instructs: “Be rich in good deeds and be generous and willing to share” which will lay up treasure for you in the coming age.
No Good Thing Does He Withhold…
On a hot August day, following a hard workout on the Obstacle Course, my then 14 year old grandson and I were talking about the Lord and Scripture while recuperating in hammocks. He mentioned he’d recently read Psalm 84. In return I commented on verses 11 and 12:
No good thing does He [the LORD] withhold from those who walk uprightly. How blessed is the man who trusts in You!
“Look around,” I said, “and see how God has fulfilled His Word: We started with literally nothing and God has blessed us with a wonderful family and eleven awesome grandchildren. He has provided a beautiful property surrounded with trees like an oasis, a ministry center, a house, a vehicle and everything else that is good for us. I may not have a boat, a plane or much money, and have faced many challenges, but I don’t need a boat, a plane or lots of money, and the challenges have made me strong. God has given me everything I need and blessed us beyond measure. He has been faithful and proven His Word to be true.”
The heroes of the faith willingly gave up the pleasures and treasures of this world to focus on future blessings and eternal riches. So too, I have earnestly sought to put the Lord first in everything, and He has honored and blessed me! I have discovered the reality of the following biblical promises:
Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 84:11 “No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
Matthew 6:33 “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
The Lord has taught me that I cannot manipulate Him to give me what I want. But if I delight myself in Him, seek His will, and walk in obedience to it, He will grant the desires of my heart (because they will be His desires as well) and abundantly bless beyond what I could ever ask or think—beyond my greatest expectations.
