Ability to make wealth

Possibly after the verse⁽¹⁾ from the Bible that led me to repentance and salvation, this verse has had the deepest impact in my life:

Deu 8:18 ( emphasis mine )

(BBE) But keep in mind the Lord your God: for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth, so that he may give effect to the agreement which he made by his oath with your fathers, as at this day.

(CEV) Instead, remember that the LORD your God gives you the strength to make a living. That's how he keeps the promise he made to your ancestors.

(GNB) Remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to become rich. He does this because he is still faithful today to the covenant that he made with your ancestors.

(GW) But remember the LORD your God is the one who makes you wealthy. He's confirming the promise which he swore to your ancestors. It's still in effect today.

(NIV) But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

(NLT) Always remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you power to become rich, and he does it to fulfill the covenant he made with your ancestors.

Its truly amazing that this is mentioned in the bible... when I first came across this verse in Jan 2004, for a moment I froze - it was like time had stopped for a while - I could not hear a sound although I was in a room with many people talking to each other - when I came back - I had to read the verse again to make sure that I had read it correctly.

Couple of thought on this...

1. Biz School: No, they didn't teach me this ! Yet they taught me that Businesses exist for creating profits, well an economic surplus - if you prefer a more complicated definition. So how are businesses supposed to create wealth?, well, shall we just say that we did not have enough time to discuss that. ( Incidentally my Theology teachers didn't teach me about the Love of God either )


2. Church: In the context of much debate regarding the Prosperity Gospel I have to admit that in all my years of attending church - I have never come across a preacher speak on this subject ( specific verse ) ! Needless to say that I have listened to sermons that presented a favorable arguments about that fact that God intends his children to prosper.


3. Believers: Never came across a professing christian who told me that he is prosperous because God gave him the strength / power / ability to become wealthy !

I am not being judgmental about any body here please no just sharing things the way I saw it happen.

I am really praying this scripture in my life currently, especially in the context of the Techxodus initiative.

In the context of personal worship, this verse gives me a very BIG reason to worship Him. Think about it, He loves me, He saved me, He makes me prosper ( and all these this I get for FREE, LOL ). Halleluyah, I worship you God.

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(1) "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." (Joh 8:11 NIV)

Who am I?

One of the books I have constantly gone back to is " Victory Over The Darkness " by Dr. Niel T Anderson. It basically talks about our identity as Christians. In this book he lists⁽¹⁾ more than 30 " I am .. " statements, which are based on scriptures. These statements are paraphrased to give us the right scriptural perspective regarding our identity.

So these days when I find the going tough, I often find myself asking the question " According to the bible - who am I ? ". Having a clear and definite understanding about who I am is critical since: No person can consistently behave in a way that's inconsistent with the way he perceives himself. ⁽²⁾ Dr. Anderson more or less states this as a postulate.

And according to the bible - who am I?

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Eph 2:10 NLT)

I am a Masterpiece of God. Feels good to know that ! Phew... To be compared to the Taj Mahal ( for e.g. ) that's a heady high ! You may be laughing - well do what you want - I believe that the word of god is true⁽³⁾. And that settles the issue.

There is also more hope in this verse - it says that I have been recreated, say " Anish Jacob Ver 2.0 " in Geekish so that I can do the good things He planned for me long ago !

Wow, that's awesome, and that's another reason to worship Him.

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(1) & (2) Page 45 & 43, Victory Over The Darkness, Neil T Anderson, Regal Books
(3) Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God's servants to do all kinds of good deeds. (2Ti 3:16-17 CEV)