One of the most often repeated teachings in recent times has been centered on the biblical prophecies which state that the wealth of the wicked will be given to the righteous. The prophecies actually go further than this and state that the wealth of the nations will be brought to the righteous. Because these are biblical prophecies, we know that they will come to pass. This is about to begin, and we must be ready for it.

I realize that this may sound like just another reciting of the prosperity teachings, which is a good thing to many, and a bad thing to others. However, as we proceed, you will find that what I am sharing with you is different from what you have heard before. If we believe the prophecies, we know that unprecedented prosperity is coming to God's people. What is rarely considered is that even though this is the beginning of walking in the inheritance of the righteous to rule over the nations, it will be a test, and maybe the biggest test we have ever had. Those who are not prepared will be overcome by it. Those who are prepared will still be tested and stretched, but this is essential training for those who must proclaim the gospel of the kingdom.

There are factors with these prophecies that are rarely, if ever, addressed. First, it is usually assumed that this wealth is all about money. It does include money, but to the mature in Christ, money will always be their least valuable resource. It is a resource, and it does have value, but it is something that we learn to manage well so that we can be entrusted with the true riches of the kingdom. When we look at the nations, we need to look at their wealth as being far more than money or other natural resources. It is always about people. They are God's treasure, and they must be ours as well.

We need to take a bit of time to discuss the money that we are going to be entrusted with and how to manage it. This is important now because the Lord Himself said that if we do not know how to manage unrighteous mammon, He will not be able to entrust us with the true riches (see Luke 16:11). Let's get the money management down right, but always keep in mind that it is our least valuable resource. One moment of God's favor—the smallest touch of His grace and anointing of the Holy Spirit is worth much more than any earthly treasure. Let us keep that in our minds and hearts. Those who do not keep that in mind will be in jeopardy of being destroyed by the weight of the money and other resources that are about to be entrusted to them.

If you have read the studies of those who have won the lottery, there does not yet seem to be a single happy ending for anyone who received great riches suddenly. Just the onslaught of demanding relatives and friends who want a gift or loan can be crushing. Many who received millions were broke in just two years, and even worse, have lost their jobs as well as most of their friends. In fact, winning the lottery seems to be a terrible curse that has wrecked many lives. The same has happened to many athletes and entertainers who come into quick riches if they are not prepared for it.

As a large and growing ministry, we are under almost continual requests, and sometimes demands, from other ministries for financial help. If we do not help them, some quickly turn from being friends to being opposers and even slanderers. We have a continual swarm of disgruntled people around us whose expectations we did not meet. I was told that this would be continual if we obeyed the Lord! In fact, I was told that the more perfect my obedience, the more people that would become angry. Therefore, I have learned to live with it, determining to seek God's approval rather than man's.

As Paul the Apostle stated it in Galatians 1:10, "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." To the degree that we seek the approval of men, we will compromise our obedience to Christ. We must learn to love people, but not obey them or cave into their pressure and manipulation if we are going to be trusted with great resources.

Think about the Lord Himself. Jesus never responded to human need, but He only did what He saw the Father doing. How many sick and afflicted people do you think He stepped over or walked by to get to the one He healed at the pool of Bethesda? He could have healed them all, but He didn't. He only healed the one that the Father had shown Him to heal. If we are going to be trusted with that kind of authority, we, too, are going to have to have that kind of obedience.

I know many people who want to be trusted with great resources so they can bless many people. This will happen in due time, but while God is testing their obedience, they do not realize how many people they are going to make very angry. If we are seeking the approval of man, and want great resources so that we can be a blessing and be loved, we are going to be in for a terrible shock.

Last year I was told by a friend that he looked up my name on the internet and there were about 50,000 references to me, and most of them were bad! This did not surprise me. In fact, it encouraged me. I was shown many years ago that this would be the result of my obedience.

Now I have been used to bless some other ministries, and I think quite a few people. However, almost none of these will ever write anything positive about me or probably even think about it. This does not bother me because I expected it. Think about this: Jesus healed ten blind men and only one of them even thanked Him! I am not looking for gratitude or appreciation from people, but from the Lord. I am motivated by one thing—I want to hear from my Master say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (see Matthew 25:21 NIV).

I am not claiming to be doing this perfectly, as I have also been chastised by the Lord for being too insensitive. I sometimes feel bad for days when I have to reject a request. The worst part of all is when I have to do this with my own children, because I don't consider anything that I have as my own, but I am only a steward of it. It hurts very badly at times, but I was told that if I did not learn to use the word "no," I would be crushed under the weight of what I was to be entrusted with and would suffer burnout quickly because I would be taking the people's yokes instead of the Lord's yoke.

The way of obedience is hard at times, but not nearly as hard as any other path. We must keep in mind that this whole age is about training for reigning. Tribulations and blessings are both tests! If we are growing in the Lord, we will be getting both a thicker skin and a softer heart—at the same time. There is only one way to navigate so as to stay on the path of life—grow in fellowship and obedience to the Lord. Find your pleasure in Him, and do not expect too much from people, even those you may help in a major way. Guard your heart especially against any kind of resentment. God's approval and acceptance has to be enough for us if we are going to be His servants.