Digital Cowboy

I was just recently looking for something else when I ran across an old comment I made right here on my own blog about how I would someday like to have a custom-made pair of Lucchese boots.

It’s funny to me now. The comment in question is less than two years old and at the time I made it, it was little more than a dream. A minor dream to be sure – I didn’t sit around fantasizing about boots. But I had wanted a pair of Lucchese’s for many years and always felt they were way out of my reach. In that comment I mentioned them because it sorta kinda came up in conversation.

I’ve had a pair for months now and had no recollection of that thought when I was ordering them or at any time since I’ve had them. They’re snip-toe, lizard boots, hand-made, special order. They are the most comfortable boots I’ve ever owned, also the most beautiful and most definitely the most expensive. I can now say that the Lucchese name is definitely worth the money. (As opposed to say, Justin, which is now just overpriced, second-rate garbage. I’ve had about 5 pairs of Justins because I’m a slow learner – they suck and I had to buy another pair every year until I wised up.)

What’s even funnier – to me at least – is that I had a tough choice, when I bought them, between these and another pair. When I made the decision for these, I did it with the thought in mind that I would get the others soon anyway. Now I’m thinking about getting those too.

This, friends, is what He meant when He said The Blessing would come on you and overtake you. For those who rail at this as “Prosperity Gospel,” I would like to point out a few things:

1) the Lucchese boots I wear today cost me less than a third of their list price. At the price point I bought them, they were only slightly more expensive than the “everyday” boots (made by Justin) that I was wearing before. (Ditto for my new truck. I got a real bargain.)

See, now I’m a Jew. I buy everything at a discount and sell just a little below retail. So everybody wins. That’s what The Blessing does. For natural Jews as well as us adopted ones.

2) I’m walking in this blessing not because I’m seeking out expensive boots and new trucks. I started seeking the Kingdom and all of this gets added. (Matt. 6:33) I honestly forgot until tonight that I had always wanted Lucchese boots in spite of the fact that I’ve been wearing them for months. “…will come on you and overtake you…” (I wasn’t seeking boots.)

3) Reaching back to number two, you should know that the Kingdom works on sowing and reaping. I’ve given into ministry and charity when I “couldn’t afford it.” Then, as God has prospered me, I’ve looked first to sowing seed and giving back. Prior to getting the boots for a third of retail, I gave offerings (not tithe – that’s different and separate) that were extravagant, into ministries that I trust and where I’ve seen God’s anointing. On one occasion, I wrote a single check for an offering that was more than the retail cost of those boots, “spontaneously” just because the Spirit spoke to me and I was willing. I wasn’t even sure I could “afford” it. I just knew that I should be obedient.

As a result, I have a harvest. A harvest that has pulled me from homeless just over a year ago to a life now where I have money in abundance and luxuries come to me at great discounts.

This is Kingdom living. It’s available to everyone. It’s not a perversion of the Gospel. It is the Gospel. When I was destitute, the only people that cared to help were the government Mafia and prosperity-believing Christians. They rescued me. In less than a year, I went from needing help to providing it.

Without people that believe God’s abundance, the “salvation” Gospel couldn’t be preached. It takes money. The “prosperity gospel” is the only Gospel because it’s a message of adoption and He’s not lacking anything. If you are, you’ve missed something. Review.

Daddy’s rich. Learn how things are done here in His family and you’ll never want!*

Wait. Does that sound like a TV preacher and you shrink back because… I forgot. I’m supposed to beg you for your money.

I’m sorry. I can’t accommodate you. I don’t need your money. I’m rich and looking for opportunities to give. I’m talking about biblical principles and a better way to live.

*Psalm 23:1