S113P6 – Navigating prosperity: the steady source

Jer. 17:7-8

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

I know people who will buy lottery tickets every time the Powerball or Mega-whatever jackpot gets really big.  They talk about what they would do if they were to win the money, and the same question comes up every time.  The winner has two options for receiving the prize.  One can take it in a lump sum, which typically means that the total award will be less.  Otherwise, one can take an annuity, which ends up totaling more money but is affected by inflation over time.  Some will prefer the lump sum because, even though it decreases the total award, it allows the option to invest and perhaps multiply the award sooner to try and beat inflation.  Others will take the annuity simply because it means they have a guaranteed income over time.

I am sure that I was not the first new Christian to think that each of God’s interventions in my life would be big and instant.  A concern of mine before coming to Christ always had been money.  I had a job, and it paid well for my qualifications, but I always knew that losing that job would mean I would be in a financial mess in no time without another job to replace it.  I expected that my financial situation would change drastically after giving my life to God, and that this change would be big and miraculous.  I expected a much better job to come along or a bag of money to find its way to my doorstep.   I waited and waited for God to bring me that lump sum, but the more I come to know him, I realize He works more like an annuity.

God continues to give me what I need just when I need it.  He is like the river providing water to the roots of the tree.  The water is constantly flowing, and the roots will absorb what they need, but the remainder will continue down the river.  Those roots have an abundant supply of moisture without collecting any of it and trying to save it for later.  The supply is there and will not dry up, so they only need draw what they need in that moment.  God’s abundant provision will not necessarily look like a miraculous windfall.  It is more likely to resemble a steady stream of exactly what we need when we need it.  Father, thank You for the perfect timing of your provision and the promise that the stream will not run dry.