False Hope

There might be other considerations regarding false hope, and another writer or article might come at this topic from a different angle, but for purposes of this post, false hope is the expectation that it is possible to break rules and have the same result as those who follow rules.

In today’s woke society, there is the thought, often put forth by politicians, that if you perceive a thing a certain way, that makes it true.  That actually is not true.  Perception does not equate to fact.

You cannot perceive a woman to be a man or a man to be a woman.  You cannot perceive a man as giving birth to a baby.  Perception does not establish fact.

When it comes to the Bible, it is necessary to become thoroughly acquainted with its contents and to take things in context.  Otherwise, there is the danger of pulling out one statement and establishing that as fact.  That one statement without fullness of understanding and obedience can lead to false hope.

While there are multiple topics and directions a post could take with the above introduction, and they may be covered at a later time, today the focus will be on finances.   It is necessary to take the whole counsel of God, not just one scripture.

I’m speaking from experience that if the following verses are are foundational scriptures in life and finances, that God is faithful.

Malachi 3:7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

Tithing existed before the law.  There are those who say that tithing was part of the law and was abolished but tithing existed before the law.  Abraham preceded Moses and Abraham tithed.  So did Jacob.  Abraham tithed to Melchisedek.  Jesus is of the order of Melchisedek.  So we tithe to the Lord under the New Covenant.

There are those who simply quote “my God shall supply all my need” which he will.  But there are some requirements.  That was spoken to people who were givers.  It wasn’t spoken to just anyone.  And Jesus said, “seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you”.

False hope is taking one promise and not seeing or ignoring if there are any requirements we have to fulfill.  The New Testament is the new covenant and in a covenant there are responsibilities on the side of both parties.  A lot of times preaching focuses on what God will do, but we actually have responsibilities on our part to fulfill.

If finances are tight, study the promises in Malachi.  Study tithing.  Tithe.

The blessings of tithing can come back in many ways:  opportunities to earn more income, sales, discounts, fewer breakdowns and problems that cost money, greater wisdom in financial affairs, favor that leads to increase, etc..  God is unlimited in how he fulfills his promises and the way God works can be totally different each time.  God can tailor his supply to your need provided you don’t put him in a box and insist it come a certain way.

One blessing that I have found is that desires can change.  If you are compelled to buy the biggest and best and newest, you might find that that is no longer important and that alone will save a lot of shopping trips to the mall or Amazon.  Or you may be inspired to study and increase your skill level to get a new and better job.  Or other changes can be facilitated.  When we take care of God’s house, God takes care of ours.

False hope is just believing that God will supply your needs without finding out from the Word of God and also the leading of the Lord what God requires as part of the covenant relationship in order for that promise to come to pass.