Everyone likes money, but you know that the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil, so some believers have a conflicted relationship to it. Money is a hindrance for many. If it is not for you I can open the windows of heaven and pour it out on you as a blessing. The Bible speaks strongly against exploiting the poor in their wages. I care more about the absolute condition of the poor than I do about the disparity between the rich and the poor, for the rich will be with you always, even as the poor will. Can you acquire wealth in a way that does not diminish the poor?

I said that my sheep would hear my voice. How do you hear my voice? Do you expect an audible voice in a rich baritone? Have you ever gotten that? What about your own imagination or unexpected thoughts? Would you recognize these as being from me? What about events in your life, especially when a series of multiple, independent, unlikely events converge in your favor? Do you think of this as random serendipity, or do you think there is divine purpose behind it? What if this happens all the time? Do such occasions capture your awareness and make you ponder?

Do you know the difference between giving and investing? Investors expect a return, and those giving gifts do not. Or do they? The Bible speaks of both gifts and investments, but as separate categories. Have you ever received a gift with strings attached, in which you felt obligated to reciprocate, or even worse, were carrying some undefined debt against a future claim? Have you ever done this to anyone else? Is it easy to tell the difference between this and a gift that is freely given?

Do you believe in destiny? Do you believe that you are a unique creation, and that you were put here for a purpose? Do you know what that purpose is? You can believe the underlying principles without knowing your own purpose, but if you believe the principles you should want to know and live in it. Can you follow the principles to their logical conclusion? If you have a unique contribution assigned to you and you don’t make it, then the world is impoverished for the lack of it. Don’t let a stone cry out because you won’t. Don’t let the world be diminished because you held back.