Are you strapped financially? Pressing in but not seeing a change?

The Word says, “But you shall remember [with profound respect] the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore (solemnly promised) to your fathers, as it is this day.” ~ Deuteronomy 8:18 (AMP)

I’ve been seeing this Scripture a lot lately, and any time in the past this has happened, GOD is trying to speak and show something.

In the world, we view wealth as money. But wealth goes far beyond money. It was laid upon my heart to understand wealth as blessings.

Let me share….

To generate financial wealth always takes a team. A united, cohesive team. No single man or woman did anything to generate mass financial wealth on their own. This is made clear with Solomon and Nehemiah. Yes, there is a leader who sets to accomplish a mission by providing purpose, direction and motivation. But they were not the one who did all of the hauling, trimming, building, painting, etc.

The power is not in a system, or an opportunity, but the connections; IN THE PEOPLE. People are the true asset; the true Blessing.

See, too often we equate wealth in the world with money. And if the money isn’t showing up, too often we take it out on the people. Perhaps we never treated them proper to begin with. Either way, it becomes very easy for the enemy to sneak in and convince you that what you started out on, what you heard, was never from GOD because money and things are not manifesting. Simply put, we walk away. The enemy now has a foothold on our lives and our finances all because we did not see 'the stuff.'

Every team member should be recognized with the following:

1. First of all, acknowledge their strengths. In Philippians 2:25, Paul listed no less than five titles for Epaphroditus: "Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need."

First in that list is "my brother." If you're not getting along with another Christian, you can at least acknowledge that person is your brother or sister, no matter your differences. Paul also called Epaphroditus his "fellow worker"; Epaphroditus voluntarily traveled all the way from Philippi to Rome to help Paul while he was in prison (see Philippians 4:18). Then there's "fellow soldier." It's great to have believers who will stand and say, "I'm in this battle with you." Epaphroditus was also the Philippians' messenger; they were the ones who sent him to Rome, where he "ministered to [Paul's] need."

All that said, learn to look at people through the lens of their strengths, their positive traits. That might not come naturally to you, but you need to be trained by God's grace to start doing it, because it can—and must—be done.

2. Accept their shortcomings. "Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus…since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick almost unto death…. Therefore I sent him the more eagerly" (Philippians 2:25-28). I think, along with the illness that almost killed him, Epaphroditus had a bad case of homesickness. Paul graciously didn't make a big deal of it, but instead made it easier for Epaphroditus to return home. Friendship flourishes at the fountain of forgiveness, and when you can overlook someone's foibles and weaknesses, it goes a long way.

3. Affirm their sacrifice. "Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me" (Philippians 2:29-30). Epaphroditus put his life in danger for the sake of the Lord, risking it all for Him. Paul said we should respect, honor, and thank such servants who sacrifice for the gospel.

This is how we can grease the gears of our relationships with other Christians: acknowledge their strengths, accept their shortcomings, and affirm their sacrifice. We're all imperfect people, but by God's grace, we can humbly follow Paul's example with Epaphroditus and treat one another in a way that ultimately glorifies the Lord.

True wealth isn’t just about money. True wealth is found in the commitment others made to you; their prayers for you; their love for you; their friendship. Those things are the blessings, not the money. And when we lose sight of those things, and place it all about the money, well….simply put, the money will not come. If you can accept someone’s money and time but not their love, friendship, commitment and prayers, then you are focused on the wrong wealth building strategy as given by GOD.

If you find yourself stagnant, ask the Good Lord to place on your heart those you may have not treated properly. The word ‘Repent’ means to restore a relationship. That is how we rid the world of sin. Love The Lord with all our heart, and love our neighbors. Reach out to them, with a sincere and contrite heart. Even if they do not respond, The Lord will see. But it must be sincere, not some sort of expectation said with vain words. It must be from the heart.

Wealth is all about what is in the heart and how we treat others. True Kingdom Wealth!

Remember what the true Blessings are, and the financial provision will follow. After all, it is those Blessings we take with us to Heaven

In His Love,

Eric