BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

anyone give to him? Because he'd spent everything he had without ever giving to anyone else. All he'd had on his mind was himself.) Finally, when he got to the point where he would have been glad to eat what the hogs were eating, he said to himself, "How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants" (verses 17-19). Although it's sad to say, that's the kind of thing many Christians say when they pray. They call themselves sinners. They tell God how unworthy they are. They come to Him as lowly servants asking Him to give them just enough to survive. Then they say, "Amen," without ever listening to what He has to say about it. The prodigal son almost made that mistake. Having prepared his little unworthy speech, he arose and came to his father: But when he was yet a great way o , his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found (verses 20–24). Can't you just picture that father sitting on the porch watching the road day after day? He wasn't watching for a servant. He was watching for his son! He wanted to restore him to the family and put that signet ring on his fi nger as a sign that all of his father's wealth once again belonged to him. That's a picture of your heavenly Father's heart for you! When He went out looking for you, drawing you to Himself so that you could get born again, He wasn't looking to make you a servant. He was longing to throw His arms 9 POINTS TO GET YOU THERE: around you and tell you the good news: In Jesus you've become His son. You've become His daughter. You've been received into His family, and now, as a new covenant heir of everything He has, you can, "give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom" (Luke 6:38, New King James Version). Sow generously [that BLESSINGS may come to someone] and reap generously and with BLESSINGS, "not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful ( joyous, 'prompt to do it') giver [whose heart is in his giving]. 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-su cient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]" (2 Corinthians 9:7–8, AMPC). That's God's prosperity plan right there! He wants you prosperous. So, pray for Him to give you wisdom you need to receive everything He has for you. Then LISTEN! He will tell you what you need to know! This is where a lot of Christians miss it where fi nancial prosperity is concerned. They don't pray and listen to God. 1 Every born-again child of God has the ability to hear from Him: "I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own… and they will hear My voice." (John 10:14-16, NKJV) 2 You can pray for yourself the prayer Paul prayed for the believers in his day. (Col. 1:9, NKJV) 3 Pray believing God to give you the wisdom you need in every situation. (Jas. 1:5-6) 4 Listen to God when you sow fi nancial seed; He will show you where to sow and guide you to your harvest. (2 Cor. 9:8, AMPC) 5 In Luke 6, Jesus not only said, "Give, and it will be given to you," He also talked about the importance of hearing and obeying Him. (Luke 6:46, NKJV)

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