This morning, I am studying the curses and blessings again in Deuteronomy 28. It is SO amazing–and enlightening–to see how much of God’s promised blessings (if we obey Him) and curses (if we do not) pertain to blessing our work, our investments, our finances, and our businesses.
While studying, this problem came to my mind: Most people do not have any cows.
Why is this a problem? Because God promises to bless “the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flock” (Deuteronomy 28:4).
When He said this, He was talking to people in an agrarian/agricultural society. Their wealth was measured not only in silver and gold, but even moreso in livestock, grains, etc. Why? Because those things have an innate ability to reproduce.
If you have cattle, God can bless them and they can reproduce, making you richer. If you have seed, you can plant it and God can bless it, bringing you a harvest and making you richer.
But most people do not have any cattle.
What’s the modern-day equivalent of cattle?
Well, if you’re in a farming area, actual cattle work just fine. I’ve often wished to own real cattle! Or sheep or other livestock! They reproduce!
But if you don’t live on a farm, here are some other examples of modern-day “cattle”:
- Your investments;
- Your retirement account;
- Your full-time business;
- Your side hustle (lawn-mowing, paper route, coaching, making soap, hand-lettering, etc);
- Your vegetable garden that you sell produce from;
- Your own products that you sell;
- Your dog-breeding business; and on and on and on.
My digital resources and products are one example of my modern-day cattle. They’re out there on my Gumroad store, and at any moment the Lord can (and does) bless them to bring us income.
My point is:
What do you have that God can multiply?
And if nothing, what can you DEVELOP, MAKE, or GET that God can bless?
You need some cattle. Cows. Something with the innate ability to reproduce.
God wants to bless you, but you have to renew your mind. Think differently. Get onto His train of thought and start thinking the way He thinks.
What are your thoughts about this? Do you have any cattle? And if not, what kind of cattle can you come up with so that God can start multiplying them? Please leave your comments below!
Richard Cerchia says
I have things that God can multiply…but they don’t. Most die still born. What I do is honoring God.
I seek Him. But the more I give the more seems to be taken and I’m left without hope of any increase. “For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages”….Most of my life i have been consistently muzzled. Why? I have not buried my gift in the dirt…I have increased it and honed it…but it seems so very little is blessed.
I feel like i am operating under a curse…but no matter how i pray and where I go for help, I am turned away. I don’t understand. I have not run from God. I have run TO him. and yet the “blessings” of god seem like a carrot left dangling out there for me, but snatched away if i get close. I dont know how to break this and I dont want to live the rest of my life like this – being baited constantly and left grasping at hope when I am disappointed. I am 68. I have been praying for the Lord to bless the music I write. Thats the gift he gave me…writing classical music. But I am met with virtual rejection over and over and over. I have been divorced since 2002. i have prayed for a wife but met with disaster looking. Even to the point of having 60% of my life’s savings stolen by a manipulative woman who SAID she was a Christian. Hope deferred makes the heart sick. Thats where I am. I want..”Desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” I am more tired than I can describe… You don’t have to post this if it is too negative for others to read. But I would appreciate prayer and a comment from you perhaps. Thank you.
Jamie Rohrbaugh says
Hi Richard! Two questions: Are you seeking God first? And, have you gone through a formal inner healing and deliverance program? If you aren’t doing either one of those, I recommend them both! The first is necessary to get blessed … and so is the second. I recommend starting with my Finding Deep Soul Healing 101 and 102 classes if you haven’t already taken them. Let me know if you have any questions.
joseph says
Very funny analogy ! I always had a passion for planting, growing, or raising live stock. Always believed that working in the soil was the most honest and natural way of making a living.
But I’ll tell you, I retired 2 years early due to arthritis, and no matter how much money you have, it goes way to quickly. But I believe that God literally took my legs out from under me because I wasn’t following ??? So not sure how I can invest now ?
Jamie Rohrbaugh says
Hi Joseph. God would never take your legs out from under you. His Son Jesus died for your healing–to destroy the works of the devil, of which sickness is one. Why then would God come into alignment with the devil and perpetuate the devil’s work? He wouldn’t. Ever. He loves you too much, and He only gives you good things.
And I definitely encourage you to invest in whatever the Lord shows you. 🙂