“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit” (Is. 48:17).
Profiting is more than making money. It can include financial increase, but it has a much more blessed scope than just material things. The Hebrew word translated “profit” here is ya’al (yaw-al’). It has to do with climbing or ascending, excelling, gaining ground, rising above circumstances, reaching the top or summit. Ya’al is also the Hebrew word for the ibex or wild goat, which was so named because of its climbing ability.
Ya’al is used negatively throughout the Scriptures to refer to people who put value on the wrong pursuits. Israel is often told by God that idols will not profit them. Trusting in the military might of Egypt is unprofitable; rather, they should trust in the Lord their God.
Solomon tells us that “riches profit not in the day of wrath” (Prov. 11:4). We are to gain riches during the Gospel days and disperse them before the coming of the Lord. Our riches can be utilized for evangelism and missionary outreach now while producing eternal rewards.
One generous pastor, well known for giving away everything yet still prospering, has said: “Everything that comes into my life is flowing out to others. I don’t want twenty dollars in my wallet when the Second Coming takes place; I don’t want to leave anything to the Antichrist!”
Satan is forever trying to demean, discourage, and destroy us. The Lord has promised to teach us to profit, to raise our levels, to improve the quality of our lives, to help us to ascend in life. Satan wants us to go downhill, the Lord is taking us up to higher ground!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.