NEW COVENANT NEW WEALTH

Main Reading: Galatians 3:11-26, Eph 2:8, Php. 4:12

Wealth under the Old Covenant was measured in things that brought comfort in this life. It was therefore concluded that poverty, oppression by enemies, barrenness, singleness, sickness and the like were curses. Under the New Covenant, wealth is fullness in the Holy Spirit and operation in His power. The comforts of life are mere additions, and their absence do not necessarily indicate that God has cursed or abandoned a person. The Law – Grace tension is often considered a Christianity – Judaism tension. It is however very much a Christianity – Traditions tension. Jewish converts to Christianity were often tempted to fall back on their traditions developed in the framework of the Law to measure their worth. So do many Christians often feel tempted to measure their worth according to what their pre-conversion traditions consider valuable. This discourse therefore just outlines the values of the Law system and the values under the Grace system, to help you evaluate your priorities.

1.      PURPOSE OF THE OLD COVENANT (LAW):

Like a school master, the OC was meant to teach us the ways of God in theory, in a manner we as humans could readily relate to. It prepared the way for us to accept Heavenly and therefore eternal wealth. It showed us how sinful we are and the impossibility of attaining to Divine ideals. It had limitations similar to that which a school has in comparison with real life situations. Attempting to live by the law is like attempting to live all your life in a classroom!

2.      BLESSINGS UNDER THE OLD COVENANT:

(Results of law-abiding life, terminating in deviation from the law, which was eventually the lot of all the people; typical blessings under the OC are listed in Deuteronomy 28) 

a.      Open doors of favour everywhere

b.      Prosperity in property

c.      Defeating of enemies

d.      Established and standing out as the only people of God

e.      People fearing you

f.       Fertility

g.      Becoming the lender and not the borrower, head and not tail

3.      CURSES UNDER THE OLD COVENANT

a.      Frustration and rejection everywhere

b.      Destruction of property

c.      Pests, pestilence, sickness or epidemics

d.      Defeated by enemies, and subservience to strangers in your own land

e.      Painful singleness, childlessness

4.      PURPOSE OF THE NEW COVENANT (GRACE)

It is meant to free all people from the power of sin and the eternal wrath of God. Jesus paid the ultimate price and the good news of His salvation is spread through all persons who also get saved by grace though faith. It ushers us into eternal life under the perfect will of God. The beneficiaries become children of God directly, entitled to His eternal protection and provision by default. It liberates a person to serve God in the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

5.      BLESSINGS UNDER THE NEW COVENANT

(Results of Spirit-enabled life, and holding the promise of (i) Guaranteed essential care here (ii) Eternal life; typical blessings under the NC are listed in Matthew 5/Galatians 5:22-23)

a.      Poor in Spirit (Cannot do anything without the Holy Spirit)

b.      Mourn (Because it is not well with others)

c.      Meek (Meek, Gentle, Temperate)

d.      Eager to do good (Goodness)

e.      Merciful (Goodness)

f.       Pure in heart (Love)

g.      Peace makers (Peace)

h.      Enduring persecution (Longsuffering, Joy, Faith)

6.      CURSES UNDER THE NEW COVENANT

a.      Those who reject Christ (Joh 3:18)

b.      Those who pervert the gospel (Gal. 1:8,9)

c.      Those who sow unto the flesh (Gal. 6:8)

d.      Those who choose to live under the law (Gal. 3:10)

These remain under the (i) domination of sin, (ii) fear of death, (iii) Satanic control, and are (iv) on their way to eternal damnation.

7.      CONCLUSION:

If you still consider yourself blessed only according to the Old Covenant system, or the systems of your traditions, you have missed the point, and may as well be heading towards eternal damnation. True blessedness is to be capable of bearing the fruit of the Spirit, being useful in the Kingdom of God.