Many Christians incorrectly think that wealth increase comes solely through personal effort, hard work and competence. So let me clarify this for you.

One of the core values you must subscribe to as a Christian is that Almighty God is the source of all your supply. You must know that it is Him who blesses you with wealth increase. Wealth does not come to you just because:

1. You are smart or have the academics qualifications, certificates or credentials.

Even in countries like Japan(and Korea), where the majority are educated, one million educated and qualified people remain unemployed.

2. You have a good job.

All financial gurus will tell you that it virtually impossible to build wealth simply by being an employee. Tunde Bakare, a Nigerian statesman and preacher, simply but aptly states: “You cannot accumulate wealth working for another person". As a child of you must know that God wants to bless the work of your own hands (Job 1:10), and not those of your bosses.

3. You maintain a budget, and you save.

Personal financial planning has its place and most people do it. However you need wisdom to make accurate decisions to navigate through market forces, invest in the right places, and get the best returns on your investments. Such wisdom is found in God alone. In fact the beginning of wisdom is the fear of God.

4. You glean information from financial books and other sources.

While there is nothing wrong with doing this, it is not enough. There are too many books written around financial planning and making money. Every author has their own experiences, opinions and theories about how to do it. The more financial books you read the more confused you can become.

5. You work hard.

Such is unfortunately the philosophy of work for many, Christians included. Some people work extra hours. Others have an open door work policy. Most employees bring their work home. Some work two to three jobs at a time. If you are in Christ, you should not be working *"by the sweat of your brow". Not at all. Remember Christ broke this Adamic curse over your life when He became a curse for you on the cross. So I hope you realize that the power to make wealth comes from God alone. It does not come from yourself or from others. Deuteronomy 8:18 confirms this : "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".

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The power to make wealth comes from God – not anywhere else. He gives us the wisdom, ability & capacity to make wealth. Also God has given us this capacity to make wealth to keep His covenant and promise with us. This is the real reason why God wants to bless us, increase us and give us wealth. Such was God's promise to His own from the beginning of creation. Genesis 1:28 says, "Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." It is very interesting to note that God blessed Adam before he fell into sin. So Adam did not need to work by the sweat of his brow to enjoy the blessings. This was God's original plan and covenant promise. God always wanted to “bless” us without our own hard work and labour. God does not need our hard work & labour to bless us. In fact hard work is an Adamic curse and the consequence of sin.

Proverbs 10:22 is clear, "The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it". Riches and wealth are what the Lord blesses us with. Such things proceed from Him. We need not succumb to the efforts and schemings of the world's systems to attain them. Moreover the word "blessing" here does not refer to “things” or possessions. It speaks of the conferring of blessing, grace or favour onto someone. Therefore the secret behind true wealth in not the need for hard work & labour but the need for God to bless and impart to us the capacity that attracts wealth.

Malachi 3:10 tells us that it is the initiative of God to bless. He says “I will open the windows and pour …blessings”. The prophet Zechariah confirms this truth when he declared that it is “Not by might nor power but by My Spirit...” (Zech.4:6). Even in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul tells the church in the city of Philippi: “My God shall supplysupply all your need” (Phil.4:19).

The conclusion of the matter then is that God blesses us! He wants to bless us. He will bless us. This is His promise. If we can only believe it! Romans 4:18-22 provides us with an incredible example of such faith in God's promises. It says that Abraham "contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken...And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”".

As a child of the Most High God believe that God is the source of all your supply. Rest from your labours. Joyfully place your hope in Him. Relinquish your dependence on your own knowledge and effort and put your trust in Him. God has plans to prosper you and to give you a hope and a future.

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