Scripture: Hebrews 11 v 1 - 3: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."
To put faith into anything means that you cannot actually see the end result but you have confidence that it will be good for you. In verse 3 we read that God created the planets, Sun, Moons, and the beauty of Earth with its unique solar shield out of things that were not visible.
He created it all out of nothing! He made it beautiful for us and created animals to provide food, clothing and companionship. The plants are all unique to Earth and for fodder, bread, vegetables and clothing for Earth's inhabitants.
We had brains and minds to improve our existence over the millennia since our creation. By the looks of things material prosperity caused a deterioration of our moral and spiritual values. Generally speaking.
Faith in God is of high value to Him, and not everyone has faith in the one true living God. Billions of people on this planet have been deceived into following foreign gods or idols to their eventual doom. Some Christians have given their lives to keep the faith. So it's not free.
Every person ever born has been given the measure of faith.....Romans 12 v 3: "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
Everyone has the same measure of faith, enough to believe that our God is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. He is all powerful, present everywhere, and knows everything. We have enough faith to believe that Jesus Christ is His Son and our Saviour. Jesus had to die for us so we could receive salvation, a free gift, by faith which cost Him His life.
In Romans 12 v 3 we are told that we should not feel superior to others because we all had the same measure of faith. We may not look the same or have the same fancy addresses but in God's currency of Faith we are equal in His sight.
If you have used wealth as a tool to get your own way on this planet, you will be put on the spot on the Day of Judgment where your wealth counts for nothing in God's eyes. To Him your wealth is measured by your relationship with Jesus Christ. Nothing more nothing less.
Do you know My Son? This is the question you have to answer, and if you have no testimony or witness of knowing Jesus, you are on the highway to Hell with no reprieve. If you try to bluster your way through with well, I prophesied and did healings and cast out demons so yes, I know Him. Then the words of Jesus ring out, You never did the will of My Father, you did it for self-gain, I never knew you.
Those pastors, evangelists, prophets who grew rich from contributions from their large, wealthy congregations, should know that before they leave this planet behind they must repent of greed and selfishness and pride, and give away their vast fortunes to those in desperate need of a roof overhead or one small meal a day.
Flying into places full of poverty in their personal luxury jet, preaching a fiery sermon, praying for the sick and receiving a fat fee, will not win friends or influence God to be lenient in handing down judgment. Pastors who turn a blind eye to sin in the congregation because the tithes and offerings are too good to pass up, are in the ministry for self-gain and not the love of God. They sell their faith for a plate of food like Esau. Yes faith is not free.
Many denominations short change their members by not having the fullness of Faith to keep them satisfied or secure. If their members never hear the full gospel, never get born again before baptism, never get Baptised in the Holy Spirit, or never know the anointing of the Spirit to do miracles as Jesus said we would, what judgment will fall upon that denomination and its priesthood? They will pay a terrible price for their faithlessness.
Good works and charitable giving are meaningless in God's eyes if not done in obedience to Him and with love. 1 Corinthians 13 v 1 - 3: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."
The word "charity" in this chapter is not "giving to charity" as is common today but it means agape love or the true love of God. With that love in your heart everything you do will be blessed. Your Faith will grow and your experiences with the Almighty will be profound. You are a citizen of Heaven and an ambassador on the Kingdom of God.
Lastly, in Luke 18 v 7 - 8: "And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"
Jesus wants to know when He returns will He find faith on Earth......Will He? He saw that faith was a fragile thing to many people. This is what A.W. Tozer said about it:
"Actually, faith is a rare and wonderful plant that lives and grows only in the penitent soul. The teaching that every one has faith is simply a form of humanism in the guise of Christianity. I warn you that any faith that belongs to everybody is not the faith that saves. It is not that faith which is a gift of God to the broken and contrite heart!"
Prayer: Heavenly Father forgive us for not having the kind of faith the first apostles and disciples had. Increase our faith to where it is unshakeable, O Lord. Make us strong in faith, overcomers, worthy of Heaven. In Jesus' name. Amen.