Key Words – Contentment, Prosperity, Peace, Expectations

Key Verses:

16:4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not.

Matthew 20:11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 20:12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 20:15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

Exodus 16:2-15 Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 Philippians 1:21-30 Matthew 20:1-16

Kingdom Principle: The Peace and Prosperity of the Kingdom are not in conflict, nor for the purpose of personal gain.

The Peace of the Kingdom of God is not dependent on the Prosperity in the Kingdom. In the Kingdom of God, the King’s servants have Peace in times of great prosperity as well as in the absence of prosperity. However, the Prosperity of the Kingdom is limited by the servant’s clarity in seeing Peace as coming from God and not based on the circumstances of this world. For the Kingdom of God is not of this world, yet financial prosperity will be measured by this world.  Therefore: our Peace in the Kingdom of God sets the limit on the Prosperity we shall enjoy, but does not give a guarantee of the Prosperity.  For a guarantee of Prosperity is to remove the enjoyment of Peace. Therefore: Seek Peace not Prosperity, but know that the Father longs to give you Prosperity – as defined by Wikipedia – Prosperity  is the state of flourishing, thriving, success, or good fortune, not limited to wealth but also to varying degrees of health and happiness.

To seek Peace in the Kingdom is to release my control over the outcomes of my efforts. We can see that most efforts of  increasing Prosperity are established based on agreement and control. If I work so many hours I get so much money. If I invest in such and such (this includes relationships) then my return is my reward.  To release my pursuit of Prosperity is not to become lazy or indifferent, rather because of my pursuit of Peace which surrenders the outcome to God, I find new measures of Prosperity in all my work. It is not about a paycheck – it is about a new relationship. It is not about a return on investment – it is about an exchange of life and lesson learned. Pursuing Peace and even decrease my need for Prosperity altogether.

When the Lord provided the Manna for the Israelites, it was daily bread so that they would remain dependent on God and increase their peace to know that he will provide. This Peace was essential key to entrance into the Promised land (prosperity). As Paul stated, “for him to live is Christ and die is gain,” he is proclaiming the peace he has in life, that his life is not his own. And for the sake of others and their peace and prosperity it is better that he remain in their lives. There is a very simple word that causes us to compromise the very Peace and Prosperity that we have to received from God in the Kingdom of Heaven. It is called Expectation.

When we place our own expectations in front of our needs and more often in comparison to those around us, we lose the opportunity to enjoy that which the Lord has already given to us. Jesus told the parable here to highlight how our expectations can override the very provision which the Lord has promised unto us. The workers in the field were content until they compared what they had to others and allowed their expectations to overrule their peace. We want to be treated “fair” and we want to decide what is fair. And in the same breathe we will tell others – especially our children – “Life is not fair.” Therefore: Let us release our expectations that are based on comparison, and be content with the gifts that the Father has provided unto us.