PROSPERITY
"Now therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider how you have feared. You have sown much, and harvested little; you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages to put them into a bag with holes. Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider how you have feared." (Haggai 1:6-7)
For to the man who pleases him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and heaping, only to give to one who pleases God." (Ecclesiastes 2:26)
An individual was once asked, "What does it take to be prosperous? What is prosperity?" The individual responded like an average person asked the same questions. Like some people, he sincerely believed that the measure of prosperity lies in the quantity of material wealth one can or is able to amass. He sees prosperity in terms of cash, cars, houses, fancy clothes, extravagant lifestyle, and other related things often associated with prosperity.
Some folks perceive prosperity as how much one is able to keep putting in more and more or adding more and more. Some gave themselves to "the work of gathering and heaping" because their appetite for material things simply put is insatiable. One may wonder, how come the appetite for material things often tends towards an insatiable direction. From a psychological standpoint, one tends to demonstrate certain pattern of behaviour in an attempt to attain gratification. An average person inculcates habits that are conducive to deriving satisfaction. An insatiable desire for material things may not necessarily be connected to how much such things are available. No matter how much one gathers and heap, if one does not feel satisfied, the tendency to keep striving and longing is readily succumbed to. More often than not, the desire to meet ones psychological needs tends to be overwhelming. Under such circumstances, one may see the need to succumb to "the work of gathering and heaping". But how often does one attain the much desired gratification?
More often than not, attaining the desired level of gratification remains a dream than a reality. The scriptures offer what may be considered an insight.
"Now therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider how you have fared. You have sown much, and harvested little; you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes. Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider how you have fared." (Haggai 1:6-7)
Ever heard of pouring into a basket? Or pouring into a vessel with hole(s)? What can one liken individuals who fall into the category described in Haggai 1:6-7? Such individuals seem to have a vessel where they pour what they gather and heap into. Whether or not they are aware of it, such folks have succumbed to "the work of gathering and heaping". Whether this reality rise to the level of consciousness is another issue entirely. Whether or not they perceive helplessness in the face of such reality is also a separate issue. They keep pouring in at the top, and feel good about it for that matter, without paying much attention to the bottom. You know, one can easily get carried away by what goes on at one level if what goes on at another level is not fully realized. No matter how much or how little one pours in at the top, any hole at the bottom will undermine one's effort, and put paid to one's hope to attaining gratification.
The passage stated in Haggai 1:6-7 reminds me of an episode in a children's comic book I once read few years back. I will only narrate the relevant part of the story. A character (hereinafter referred to as Hay) discovered some candies lying on the ground in the park. The candies were quite substantial in amount so Hay kept his knapsack opened while fastened on his back. He went for the candies. As he picked each candy, he tossed it into his knapsack without having to look back. He kept doing this for quite some time. "By now my knapsack will be almost full," he thought. By his estimation, he had walked miles, and he had accumulated much. But he was far from right. But how come? Contrary to his perception, at no point in time was his knapsack close to being filled up. Why? His knapsack was ridden with holes at the bottom. He had been picking up the very same candies he tossed in his knapsack earlier. Besides, even though he had walked lots, he was actually going around and about the vicinity of the park. He had not traveled as far as it might have seemed. And yet he had given himself so much to "the work of gathering and heaping".
Individuals who often perceive prosperity on how much can be amassed may see the need to reflect on the scriptures stated above. The quantity of what goes in is greatly undermined if and when and where there are undesirable outlets. Keep in mind, quantity is one thing, quality is another. Many often consider quality in terms of quantity. Deluding oneself into thinking that quantity is a suitable replacement for quality will not bring much (if any) solution. What is the point in pouring lots and lots into a vessel, if attainment of genuine gratification is out of question?
Might wonder, what about genuine gratification. Genuine gratification has nothing to do with face value. It does not put on a 'happy' face to conceal feelings of frustration, bitterness and disappointment. It does not put on an act that is good for the memories of those observing but bears little or no relevance to reality. It does not laugh on the outside while crying on the inside. False appearance of things is not an integral part of genuine gratification because the reality that is constructed around it is just good enough to be expressed the way it is.
Will abundance of material things or giving oneself to "the work of gathering and heaping" bring about genuine gratification? Not quite one may say. Quite often, it doesn't quite reach. If one can gather just few and put them in vessel with no leaks (or with fixed leaks), attaining gratification is just a question of time. In which case, quantity is not what really counts; absence of leaks will bring about what really matters: quality.
Effort is one thing blessing is another. One of the sign of decline in blessing is presence of holes. Blessing is often used interchangeably with grace. Be it grace or blessing, neither can be purchased; they come from God.
"Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain that rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep." (Psalms 127:1-2)
"Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Lo, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!"
Let's do a bit of exposition.
"Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways! (vs 1)
Want to maximize God's grace and blessing in your life? Cultivate the habit of living a God-fearing life. Endeavour to know His will, and follow it with faith and obedience. Let's take a peek at some integral part of the blessing.
"You shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands: you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you." (vs 2)
With this blessing prevalent on your life, the curse stated in Ecclesiastes 2:26 either does not apply or gets lifted off you.
For to the man who pleases Him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and heaping, only to give to one who pleases God." (Ecclesiastes 2:26)
It's just a matter of God (through His Spirit and holy angels) keeping the evil spirits (that are responsible for bringing about the effect of the curse) from carrying out their nefarious activities in your life and circumstances.
Your wife (or husband) will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. (vs 3)
Notice that the blessing is not limited to you as an individual; it gets somehow 'infectious'. It will have some reflection on your immediate environment, and those within or around its vicinity. Believe me, no matter how much wealth one amass, prosperity is not complete if all is not well in the household. What is prosperity if marital problems incessantly overwhelm marital bliss? What is prosperity if one's spouse is a source of perpetual trauma? What is prosperity if one's wards constitute continual source of sorrow and heartache? What is prosperity if one appears sensational outside when what is presented at home is not much to write home about? What is prosperity if the thought of home sends cold jitters down one's spine? What is prosperity if avoiding home becomes a suitable option? What is prosperity if the situation at home drives one to find solace in alcohol, drugs, promiscuity, and/or loose and undisciplined lifestyle? What is prosperity if the situation at home makes one develop suicidal tendencies?
Home is supposed to be haven. More often than not, it can prove to be a living hell. Rather than blame others or even yourself, how about reflecting on some of the points made thus far, and approaching God in attitude of prayer and humility. Whether or not you can explain what He will do or how He will do it is not really important. The important thing is that the knots can be untied - and will be untied - if you leave the rope of your life, household your circumstances in the hands of the LORD.
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on Him, for He cares about you." (I Peter 5:6-7)
One way to endear yourself to His heart is through God-fearing lifestyle. It is conducive to obedience and submission to His will. Keep in mind,
"The fear of God is the beginning of all wisdom."
"Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways! (vs 1)
Lo, thus shall the man (or woman) be blessed who fears the LORD. (vs 4)
Read on and let's see what to expect from the package of blessing.
The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem (your name or your household may be used in place of Jerusalem) all the days of your life! (vs 5).
May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel (your name of your household may be used in place of Israel)! (vs 6).
By now you understand what seeing "your children' children" implies. Long life! Don't forget, while singing birthday songs, long life is usually mentioned along with prosperity.
And what's more? Peace is an integral part of the package. Prosperity is not complete anyway if peace is lacking.
God bless.
Yours
'Kunle O. Majek'
H I A F E M
Of impact, quality and excellence
That's the Spirit!
P.S.: I believe that this piece has been of great blessing to you. Why not share it with others.
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