“When you have eaten and are full…” – Deuteronomy 8
Have you ever considered that it can be harder to be rich in your blessings than to be content in hardship?
Let’s pause and repeat that:
It can often be harder to be rich in our blessings and content in our hardships.
It’s true—life can feel simpler when we have less. There’s a clarity of need, a simplicity in survival. But what happens when God blesses us with more? With abundance?
If we desire increase—whether financially, spiritually, emotionally, or relationally—then we also need the capacity to carry that increase well. God equips us, but we have a responsibility to learn how to walk in abundance with integrity.
Will You Still Be Standing?If you were placed in the lap of luxury, could you stay grounded—morally, spiritually, and financially? Or would the world’s ways, and the ease of "taking it for granted," slowly erode the foundation beneath you?
In the tough times, our need is clear. But in the easy times, once the basics are taken care of, the needs quickly shift into wants. It becomes a buffet of indulgences—“Which lollipop shall I eat first?”
It’s a bit like walking a tightrope. What keeps us balanced?

• Integrity
  
• Humility
  
• A lack of compromise
  
• Faithfulness to God
  
• Gratitude
  
• Generosity
  

But compromise and temptation whisper constantly. “Just a little,” they say. “God won’t notice.”
He will.
There’s no room for compromise when we’ve been entrusted with more. Our integrity stands on our unwavering commitment to live according to God’s Word.
Handling Riches with WisdomHow we handle what we have—whether a little or a lot—reveals the condition of our heart.

• What is your attitude toward money?
  
• Are there emotional or spiritual strongholds shaping how you view wealth?
  
• Do you see your increase as a tool for Kingdom impact or personal status?
  

Lotto winners are often broken within a short time—not because they lacked money, but because they lacked the financial, emotional, and spiritual maturity to steward it. They weren’t prepared for increase.
So, let me ask: Have you made a plan for your increase?
If not, it’s time.
The Western dream tells us more = happiness. So we chase it: new cars, bigger houses, shinier toys. But when the root is a heart trying to prove something or fill a void, that dream becomes a trap.
We can only live in one house at a time.
We can only drive one car at a time.
If you only use your boat four times a year, is that good stewardship?
Stewardship means making wise, intentional choices—not just for today, but for the legacy you’re building. Buy when it builds something lasting. Don’t buy just to satisfy a momentary feeling.
Riches in the Bible: Integrity in AbundanceLook at the lives of the faithful who were entrusted with much:

• Joseph – From the pit to Prime Minister (Genesis 41:42–43)
  
• Daniel – From captive to commander (Daniel 6:1–2)
  
• Amos – From fig picker to prophet (Amos 7:14–15)
  
• Job – From tragedy to multiplied wealth (Job 1:1–5)
  

All of them were richly blessed—but none of them were ruined by the blessing. Why?
Because they walked in faithfulness and integrity, and they remembered where their blessing came from.
And let’s not forget Paul’s heart in Philippians 4:19—“Whether in need or in abundance, I have learned to be content. My God will supply all my needs…”
Can You Stand Being Rich?We often ask God to bless us, to increase us—but could you stand under the weight of that blessing?
Let’s be women who prepare in the quiet place.
Let’s be women who live with open hands and clean hearts.
Let’s be women who build legacy—not just luxury.
Let’s be women who can be trusted with much—because we’ve learned to be faithful with little.
Because when we’re rooted in Christ, wealth won’t ruin us. It will resource us.

Last week I had reason to think about the power and effects of covenants and agreements we make with others.  The following is a reflection of some of my thoughts on this.

​Covenants are powerful things and there are others who spiritually know a lot more than I do about them, but I wanted to increase your awareness of them.  Many of us will be making big changes in our lives in the days ahead, some of us signing up for new businesses, properties, partnerships, friendships, commitments to organisations and community groups.

We usually think of a covenant in a legal sense e.g. agree by lease, deed, or other legal contract. Then there is biblical covenant i.e. an agreement which brings about a relationship of commitment between God and his people. The Jewish faith is based on the biblical covenants made with Abraham, Moses, and David.  There are also I believe, 'informal' covenants we can enter into out of naivety e.g. pricking our thumbs as childhood friends and swearing to never be parted, or swearing to a friend or family member that we will look after them forever.  There can be ungodly covenants that our ancestors have entered into, both natural, spiritual or demonic that stay on our bloodlines and affect the fullness of all that we are meant to receive from the Father.  

​There is a theme for this next decade that carries the words 2020 vision, clarity, focus, no longer distracted and healing.  It is a decade of God's people entering into and operating from a place of rest.  For many of us being focused and staying that way is a challenge.  Not all of us are naturally good at it, nor are we good at organisation, planning and being disciplined. I want to introduce to you some challenges and tips to help us keep our focus and clarity.  The coming year will see many of us healed and released into new ministries, assignments and purpose and we will need to learn some new skills to steward this well. 

(I am using The Passion Translation, 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 for this article).

God loves an hilarious giver (2 Cor 9:7).  When I was a baby christian one of God's principles that He impressed deeply upon me was that of helping the poor, and being a generous giver.  I was barely a year old in my walk when He opened up 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 to me and revealed how generous His heart was and that it is His desire that ours be like that also. For me these two chapters reflect an attitude of heart we should strive for in all of our giving, however and to whomever we give.  (I am not going to address the tithing question in here. If you're a tither do it with a generous spirited heart attitude).