In what ways can we "feed on the wealth of nations"? Setting the Scene in Isaiah 61 “ ‘But you will be called priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will eat the wealth of nations, and boast in their riches.’ ” (Isaiah 61:6) What the Phrase Means • “Eat the wealth of nations” is a picture of God’s people drawing tangible benefit from the resources of the wider world. • It is covenant language: those who belong to the LORD enjoy His provision—even through foreign economies, cultures, and governments. • Ultimately the wealth flows to God’s people so that glory flows back to God (Isaiah 60:9). Prophetic Fulfillment in Christ • Jesus read Isaiah 61 in Nazareth and declared, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). • In Christ, believers become “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), the very group Isaiah foresaw. • The spiritual riches of the gospel are the first layer of fulfillment (Ephesians 3:8). Practical Ways We Feed on the Wealth of Nations Today • Gospel Funding—God channels money, technology, and infrastructure from many nations to advance Bible translation, missions, and discipleship. • Cultural Treasures—Music, literature, languages, and innovations created by unbelievers often become tools for worship and witness (Acts 17:28). • Marketplace Influence—Christian professionals lawfully earn salaries and profits within global economies, then redirect those gains toward kingdom causes (Proverbs 3:9-10). • Human Talent—Immigrants, refugees, and international students bring skills and insights that strengthen local churches and expand ministry reach (Isaiah 60:4-5). • Mercy Resources—Global relief agencies funnel food, medicine, and expertise into Christian hands for compassionate outreach (Matthew 25:35-36). • Digital Highways—Servers, satellites, and apps funded by secular investors carry Scripture, sermons, and worship across borders (Romans 10:18). Guardrails for Faithful Enjoyment • Recognize God as the Source: “The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine, declares the LORD of Hosts” (Haggai 2:8). • Avoid Covetousness: “Keep your lives free from the love of money” (Hebrews 13:5). • Steward Generously: “Honor the LORD with your wealth” (Proverbs 3:9). • Stay Separate Morally: “Come out from among them and be separate” (2 Corinthians 6:17). Looking Ahead to Ultimate Fulfillment • In the millennium and the new earth, “the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it” (Revelation 21:24). • Every nation’s wealth—material, cultural, and intellectual—will finally enrich the worship of the Lamb. • Meanwhile, “all things are yours … and you belong to Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:21-23). Believers live now in the foretaste, drawing on the nations’ resources for God’s glory, while longing for the day the promise is fully and forever seen. |
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