Enjoy Favor without the Labor
“For to the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.” (Ecclesiastes 2:26 WEB)
In this world, man tends to value riches more than wisdom. But to God, true wisdom and knowledge is far more valuable, and is only reserved for those who are righteous in Christ.
On top of that, man thinks that joy is found in having riches, but we see in the verse above that joy is a blessing from God—apart from possessing worldly riches.
You can have all the wealth in the world and be miserable if you don’t have Christ in you.
Sure, God wants you to be abundantly provided for, but He doesn’t want you to focus on gathering and heaping up worldly riches.
His word says that He will let sinners do all the work, and have their hard-earned wealth be handed to you.
In case you feel indignant for their sake, know that it’s not unfair at all. Sinners (unbelievers) are God’s servants, and they have no right to expect treatment as sons if they keep rejecting the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
You’ll enjoy supernatural provision as a finished work. Something you did not labor for, but was given to you by God’s grace.
Is it unfair? It’s actually perfectly right for a father to generously provide for his children and be good to them.
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.” (Proverbs 13:22 WEB)
As a son, you have every right to enjoy provision without laboring for it, because your Heavenly Father’s riches also belong to you.
““He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” (Luke 15:31 WEB)
A great example would be how God brought the children of Israel into the land of Canaan, and drove out the Canaanites little by little.
“I gave you a land whereon you had not labored, and cities which you didn’t build, and you live in them. You eat of vineyards and olive groves which you didn’t plant.’” (Joshua 24:13 WEB)
When the children of Israel took possession of the land, there were already cities, vineyards and olive groves there which were previously prepared by the Canaanites. They only needed to move in and enjoy the finished work.
Sinners are still servants under the Law, while you are a son under Grace.
As you’re enjoying close fellowship with Abba God, receiving secret wisdom, knowledge and joy in His presence, all your basic needs in life will be met restfully. As His beloved child, you can expect to enjoy abundant favor without stressful labor!
I’m not advocating a life of laziness. Being diligent and hardworking are wonderful qualities, but we do our best in everything because we want to, not because we need to. We do our best to bring glory to our royal family’s name!
Prayer points:
1) Ask Abba God to teach you how to walk as a son in your areas of unbelief.
2) Pray daily to receive wisdom, knowledge and supernatural joy from God. When you prioritize what He prioritizes, it pleases Him. When you prioritize wisdom, your worry about provision will fall off. That loss of unbelief will cause all the things you need to be added to you.
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