Twenty-five years ago, shortly after my father-in-law died, I began to become aware that the Lord was asking more of me. At about that same time, my pastor introduced me to a book that he had just read, and encouraged me to read it and consider its challenge. That book was The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson.
The book was based on two very obscure verses in an obscure book in the Old Testament about some guy I had never heard of. Here are those verses:
Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”
Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!”
And God granted what he asked.
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
The challenge by the author was to pray Jebez’s words everyday, and wait and see. Stick with it and they would reveal a blessed life, enlarged borders, and protection from harm and pain through the hand of God.
Before you jump on the critical bandwagon and label this book prosperity gospel, ask yourself what your understanding of what it means to prosper. In a worldly prospective, it’s pretty much about the job, the money, the house, and…
I took that challenge and within a year, my perspective began to change. It eventually lead to a call to Christian ministry that made no sense to family and friends, yet I learned quickly that it made infinite sense to God.
I left career, financial stability, and house, and moved my family halfway across the country. Again, family, friends and coworkers were concerned, especially for my wife and kids. But now it was starting to make sense to some of them.
Don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of moments of anxiousness mixed with occasional discomfort. But God always seem to provide peace and support.
Three years of seminary, ordination, and my first position as pastor of a small town in rural central Illinois. My pay was a whopping $28000/year, but we got to live in the house that belonged to the church.
Twenty years and two churches later, and I’m not rich nor prosperous as the world sees it. I don’t own a house or have a million dollar portfolio, and I am barely middle-class. And in all three calls, crazy things happened.
But… My wife still talks to me, and I didn’t screw up my kids. My borders have been enlarged beyond my comprehension, and a divinely protective hand has guided and protected me even in the difficult times. Sure there has been pain, but most if it has been from the grief of loss or the occasional tongue lashing from someone who had no idea why they were angry.
I am here to tell you that what happened to me was that my eyes were opened to true abundance which seldom is about the large portfolio, the McMansion, the fancy car, or personal prestige. In fact, I would posit that the world’s perspective is driven by scarcity, not prosperity.
Now that’s Abbondanza!!
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