Prepaid

1 Corinthians 7:23-24 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. (24) Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. (KJV)

Williams New Testament translation of 1 Corinthians 7:23-24
23. You have been bought and actually paid for; stop becoming slaves to men. 24. Brothers, each one must continue close to God in the very station in which he was called.

Have you ever heard the term live within your means? Now translate that into the realm of God and ask yourself, do you truly know what that means? Like with a prepaid phone card you are given an allotment of minutes to use and speak with, something that has been prepaid and determined beforehand. You too have been bought and paid for with a price, that being the sacrifice of Jesus Christ once and for all to ransom us back to the Lord and provide fellowship with our Father again. Today I would like to cover the financial aspect of these verses, keeping in mind too that we are bought with a price, that our Lord has all our need covered, spirit, soul, and body. Did you realize that like with a prepaid phone card you have been given an allotment to live by from our heavenly Father; in other words as long as you live within His means then you will never come up short? Remember, no man can serve two masters; we cannot serve God and mammon or riches at the same time, so we need to make the choice and stay with that.

1 Timothy 6:6-11 But godliness with contentment is great gain. (7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (8) And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (9) But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (10) For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (11) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (KJV)

Let’s be honest today; haven’t we all thought at times that if we just had more money it would solve all our problems? In the realm of this fallen world lotteries are a big hit because those that win them do have part of their problems solved, that being the financial one. But that is not the answer to a spiritual issue, one that many of God’s people are actively pursuing after and have gotten out of balance thinking it will solve all their issues as well. Have you ever given thought to the fact that like a parent with a child, you have been given an allotment for which you are to live with, something our heavenly Father chose for you before the foundation of this world? So anytime we wander off the path of life and go pursuing after the things of this world as we see in verses 9&10, then we have stepped out of the will of God and into our own will. Then that life you claimed was committed to the Lord is now taking on a life of its own, with a love of God being drowned out by a love for this world and the things of it. We are no longer living within our Father’s means and what He intended for us to live peaceably in, but rather having the life choked out of us with the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, and lusts of other things have entered into the heart and blinded us spiritually. In essence, by going out on our own and trying to improve, or what we think is improving ourselves financially, the reality is we are telling God He is a liar and didn’t provide our need.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (KJV)

Oh but I prayed and prayed, and nothing happened, doesn’t God care for me? Well He does and He did before the foundation of this world; He planned your life and the provisions that it would take to get you through it and into His eternal kingdom, but did you follow through with what He is asking of you, or how He is asking it of you? Are you and the Lord still in one accord, you know of one mind and one heart, or has there been some waffling and staggering on your part, maybe some double minded doubt has crept in, or you decided to take matters into your own hands to try and work your way out of a situation instead of being still and letting patience have its perfect work. Sometimes the wisdom of God really does go beyond our way of thinking because He is not limited to this carnal realm, but is able to do things that are impossible to man, but totally possible to those that believe. So, is God truly your source, and are you living within His means of what He is asking today, or have you stepped out of the realm of faith and into doubt and fear?

Matthew 17:24-27 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? (25) He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? (26) Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. (27) Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. (KJV)

The above example shown gives us an accurate illustration of someone that knew their rights and authority in the word of God as well as the promises of God. This man Jesus Christ knew that by seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness that anything that was needed here on earth was provided, no matter how or what manner. This man, Jesus Christ, lived by faith knowing God was His source, and that He had a plan for His life before the foundation of this world; and by knowing He was on the path that God chose for Him, God would confirm His word and supply all His need. The question today is, are you on the path God chose for you; and is the kingdom of God which is spiritual your first priority as well, or have you stepped out of the realm of faith and into a realm of darkness and despair?

Luke 16:10-13 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. (11) If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? (12) And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? (13) No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (KJV)

What mankind says is so important is actually least important to God; while what God says is the most important is actually considered least to mankind; you know, like the last shall be first and the first last? So what is your priority today and what is it that you are seeking first and foremost; is it the things of God and His kingdom, or are you more concerned with building up your own little kingdom on earth? God promised to supply all our need, the most important need being spiritual; now the question is, are you living within His means and still walking the path He chose for you before the foundation of the world, or have you stepped out of His will and are building a foundation on the shaky sandy one of this fallen world? People, if there is a shortage or what you consider a shortage, keep in mind it is not on our Father’s end, but rather may just be a reflection of a lack of commitment on this end.

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.