First Timothy 6:17-19 illustrates this same point. “Charge
them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor
trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly
all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good
works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in
store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come,
that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded,
nor trust in uncertain riches.” Paul was referring to those
who are rich here on earth—that they should not trust in their
riches. This is the reason Jesus said it was hard for a rich man
to enter the kingdom of God. When a rich man trusts in his
money, his heart will be in his riches. Satan then will be able to
deceive him; the deceitfulness of riches will choke the Word of
God and cause it to become unfruitful in him (see Mark 4:19).

“Nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth
us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in
good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up
in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come,
that they may lay hold on eternal life.” You don’t lay hold on eternal
life after you get to heaven. You lay hold on it by faith while you
are here on earth, taking a firm stand and standing fast in the
liberty into which you are called. The 23rd Psalm speaks of God
preparing a feast before us, and we have thought of this as a
heavenly feast. However, it says He is preparing a table before us
in the presence of our enemies. Our enemies are not in heaven.
They are here on earth! When the Lord showed me this, He said,
“The only problem I have is getting My kids to come to the
table!” Paul tells us to “lay up in store” for ourselves in our
heavenly bank account by being “ready to distribute” and “willing
to communicate.” Then when we need it, we have it on
deposit in heaven! ALL the money, gold, etc., is already in the
earth. By giving, heaven declares certain portions as mine. No
force on earth then is able to keep it from coming to me when I
call for it! Heaven’s record says so, and earth dares not refuse.

Kenneth Copeland Ministries