by Vicki Phipps

Created on: March 07, 2008

Don't be like the guy who waited until he arrived at heaven's gate to realize what God had saved for his abundant estate. Unaware that life didn't have to be so lacking, the guy believed that sacrificing abundance meant he'd end up, right where he was. It's true, he did get to heaven and when he did, he got to meet God's head angel when he arrived, but what the angel revealed to him was a huge surprise.

The angel said, "Let me show you around," and then he opened the gate to where that guy's treasures were found. Opening a door to a room where his name was engraved long ago, the angel said, "Look what God saved just for you!" The guy was so surprised to see all those things he wanted in life. The room was so big that it even stored his dream house inside. A BMW car sat with a brilliant shine, and when the angel opened its door, it still had that new car smell that the guy so adored. In fact, there were even more treasures stored than the guy had ever dared to dream for.

The guy turned to the angel and asked, "Why did I never receive these things in life and why did God keep them here in heaven for all that time?" The angel patted his head and said, "You never asked for these things, that's why."

You see, we do deserve the treasures we seek. It's just that we don't think to ask, or we believe that we are unworthy. The truth is that God has more in store for us than we can even imagine, but since he gave us free will, he'll never push his gifts on us. We have to ask, and if we believe, we will receive ten times more than we ask for. It's true and you should listen to me.

So you see, if you use your God given ability, a bit of ingenuity, along with just a touch of intentional thinking, you can create a budget that has you in it. Believe me, God has nothing against it, and he wants you to see that there is more than enough of everything to go around. He provides abundantly and he delights at the sight of us when we receive the gifts he brings, so not only are you allowed to budget yourself into your income, but you can create a budget that places you in the lap of luxury too, at least for a week or two. What does that mean? Poor thing, I can clearly see that you don't know where the lap of luxury would be, so I'll tell you where it is for me.

Every year I go to Mexico, and when I go I always stay at a five star resort that sits on a pristine white beach with a view of the Caribbean sea. That, my friend, is what I mean by the lap of luxury.

Am I wealthy? That would be

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