God’s Economy
God’s economy is not based on the world’s economy. The story of God’s people in exile in Babylon as found in the book of Jeremiah shows us that God can and will provide for us even in difficult times. However, there are certain principles we must adhere to in order to see his blessing.
It was a terrible and a dark time for the people of Israel. Their nation had been defeated by the Babylonians and they were carried away as captives. Their temple was torn down, and all hope seemed lost. Yet in the midst of this dark time, God sent a word of hope to his people through Jeremiah the prophet. His message is found in Jeremiah 29:1-14. And interestingly enough, God gave the people five specific actions they should take in order to prosper in the midst of their trials.
1. Be faithful where God plants you.
The children of Israel were refugees. They arrived in Babylon with nothing. They had to start all over again.
But listen to what God tells them: he commands them to build houses and to settle down. (Jeremiah 29:5) In effect, he is telling them that even in the midst of this misfortune he is with them and he will take care of them.
Now, I’m sure many of the people would have been surprised by this message. They were hoping and praying for deliverance from Babylon. They were praying and believing God for an immediate breakthrough that would send them back to Jerusalem and their homes.
But this was not to be. God had lessons for them in Babylon, so he told them they would be there 70 years.
I can easily understand how this relates to you and I today. So many of us are anxious for instant miracles and instant deliverance. We want our blessing and we want it NOW. We are used to microwave and fast food. So we expect instant miracles and provision.
The problem is, if God gave many of us what we wanted right now we would not be mature enough to handle it. We would spoil the blessings because we haven’t learned patience and diligence.
Listen to Proverbs 10:4 “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”
Remember, Jesus himself said in Matthew 25:21 “‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.”
The Children of Israel had to settle down and be diligent where God had placed them, rather than always dreaming of something better somewhere else.
2. Eat from your own garden.
God commanded his people to plant gardens and grow their own food. (Jeremiah 29:5) In other words, he was telling them to be responsible for their own provision, and not to be dependent on others to provide for them.
In the New Testament, we hear God clearly speak the same message to all of us in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”
Obviously, there is a time and place to receive assistance from others. Yet God expects us to use what we have and pray for his blessings. It’s a joint venture. We have to work.
Work is not a dirty word. Genesis tells us God worked for six days and then rested. If the God of the whole heaven and earth can work, then it certainly is not too much for any of us to work.
When Jesus walked this earth, he worked with his hands. He didn’t have a fancy job – he labored with the talents his father had given to him.
3. Plan for the future.
God told them to marry, have children, and even to prepare for grandchildren. (Jeremiah 29:6) In other words, don’t just look at the immediate needs and the immediate problems. Plan ahead! Prepare for tomorrow. God is going to see you through for many years and you have to be ready for his blessing over the long period of time.
Many people have an aversion to planning. But planning is a sign of faith! When I plan for tomorrow, it means I have hope in God. I believe he is going to allow me to live and be blessed for many years to come.
When I plan for my children and my grandchildren, I am declaring my faith in God that he will prosper me and give me a future and a hope.
Proverbs 21:5 “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”
Everyone of us should practice the 10-10-80 rule. The 10-10-80 rule says, Tithe 10%, Save 10%, live off the 80%. Saving is a part of every believer’s financial plan. If you can’t save much, save a little. Save something every month. Saving is a sign of faith.
4. Pray for the blessings of others.
This is perhaps the most interesting portion of this passage. God told his people to work for the peace and prosperity of Babylon. (Jeremiah 29:7)
The Babylonians were the enemies of God’s people. They were the ones who had burned down the temple and destroyed the city of Jerusalem. They were the people who had carried the Israelites away into captivity! So how can God now tell his people to bless them, work for them, and pray for them?
But see friends, God is very clear. He told his people that they would prosper when Babylon prospered. Listen to Jeremiah 29:7 “Pray to the LORD for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
What does this mean for us? If you are working for someone, you should work in such a way to make sure their business prospers. If you are employed anywhere, you should pray for God’s blessing on that employer. You should show up to work on time, work with all your heart, treat the company as if it was your own, and pray for the prosperity of the Lord on that company and your boss.
How many of us are guilty of doing as little as possible to help our employer? How many of us are unconcerned about the prosperity of our employer? How many even in the church are working to pull down our employer so we can overthrow him and start our own company and steal his business? But God says this should not be.
5. Don’t listen to the lies of false prophets and deceivers.
Now this may seem like a strange command to tell God’s people in exile in Babylon. But you see, here’s the truth: there were a lot of false prophets who were simply telling the people what they wanted to hear. They were giving them messages to feel good but not to teach them the truth. And the people were flocking to hear the messages of breakthrough and blessing. But God said, “I did NOT send those people.”
Sadly, the church today is also filled with false prophets and false pastors. They tell you words that make you feel good but they don’t tell you the truth that will make you become good. They want to wave a magic wand and miraculously and instantly make you rich. But the Bible says you have to follow God’s word in order to get rich. It doesn’t come by anointing, it comes by obedience.
Listen to Proverbs 13:11: “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.”
Five interesting commands from God to his people in exile. It was a difficult time for them – but God gave them powerful promises of hope. It they would obey him, he would bless them once again. Listen again to his words in Jeremiah 29: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the LORD.
Never doubt that God wants to bless you! Follow his ways and his words and you will see a bright future.