Authority to Bring Abundance

There is the familiar saying "if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, if you teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime"

Acts 10:38 says, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit, and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him"

General Observations:

1. Healing is for 'ALL', not just a select few that receive healing like winning some kind of raffle or lottery.

2. Sickness and disease is from the devil, or demonic, since the scripture states that Jesus healed, "ALL that were oppressed OF THE DEVIL",

Devil: (diabolos), 1228, from (dia), 'through', or 'between', and (ballo), 'to throw', [where the English word 'ball' comes from]; the combination of which means to 'throw something between two persons or parties'; 'to divide'.

3. Sickness and disease is satanic or demonic 'oppression'. Jesus healed "ALL that were OPPRESSED of the DEVIL"

Oppressed: (katadynasteuo), 2616, from (kata), 'down', and (dynastes), 1413, from the word group referring to power, and from which word group the English word 'dynamite' is derived, but (dynates) specifically means 'a ruler' or 'officer', and the combination of the two is repeatedly used in the Old Testament Septuagint (LXX), of those having authority or physical power and might, subjugating those of lesser strength, and more specifically denigrating and abusing the poor, helpless, widows, or orphans, bringing them into slavery or bondage to their authority and rule.

4. By contrast Jesus was, and is, anointed by God, the Father, and King, with all authority and power, by the Holy Spirit, that came on Him, to bring deliverance from the demonic rulers oppressing His people, translating them from the rulership of darkness, into the kingdom of light (Col.1:13).

5. In the same way He anointed the man, 'Jesus of Nazareth', He has anointed us (2 Cor.1:21), to accomplish His plan and purpose, and carry on the same works, and we have authority to do greater works than Jesus did, through the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:12).

Doing Good:

Often the emphasis of this verse, and rightly so, is the healing deliverance that was accomplished through Jesus, however, the other aspect that is often overlooked is how He went everywhere, 'doing good'. Obviously, bringing healing to those suffering debilitating sickness or disease, is very very good, and not to be diminished in any manner, but what does it mean that He went everywhere, 'doing good'?

The Greek word is (euergeteo), 2109, which is only used in Acts 10:38 in the NT and refers to someone who is a benefactor or philanthropist, who financially supports the needs of others, for the advantage of the oppressed or financially subjugated persons. (Sparkling Gems, Vol. 2, Rick Renner). The word carries with it the idea of granting aid or correcting injustice through their financial contributions. (Theological Lexicon, Vol.2, Spicq).

The word is derived from (euergetes), 2110, which is also only used once in the NT (Luke 22:25), referring to a benefactor. This root word comes from two separate words: (ergo), meaning 'to work' or 'toil', and (eu), meaning 'good', the combination of which is 'to do good' or the 'act of doing good', or, in a literal sense, "to work good".

What is interesting about the use of this word is that it destroys the religious fallacy that Jesus went around in poverty, since the very meaning of the word specifically implies financial resources used for the betterment of others. Further evidence of Jesus' financial resources are in the misunderstanding by the apostles, of Jesus' instructions to Judas, "What you do, do quickly", among other things, mistakenly assuming "that he should give something to the poor" (Jn.13:27-29). Obviously, Jesus had resources to give to the poor because if you weren't in a good financial position you wouldn't be able to give to the poor; you would be the poor.

Women's Ministry:

In addition, Luke 8:1-3 refers to "...certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities [the scripture calls demonic deliverance healing], Mary, called Magdalene, out of whom went seven demons, Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod's steward; and Susanna, and many others, who ministered unto Him of their substance". This verse is very intriguing since it not only confirms that Jesus had more than enough significant financial resources, but it was the women, not the men, who provided those resources to him. The scripture mentions these 3 women specifically, but also says there were "many others", not a few, but "many others", and the implication is that the "many others", in the context of the verse, were women. The scripture is very specific; it could easily have said, 'many other men and women', but it is silent concerning men. In addition, Mark 15:40-41 states that at the time of Jesus' crucifixion, "There were also women looking on afar off, among whom were Mary Magdalene; and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses; and Salome (who also, when He was in Galilee, followed Him, and ministered unto Him); and many other women who came up with Him unto Jerusalem". This language is very similar to Luke 8:3. Also, the gospel of Matthew states, "and many women were there beholding afar off, who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto Him, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children" (Matt.27:55-56).

[Note: Mary Called Magdalene (Lk.8:2) - This name has mistakenly been referred to as though Mary was from Magdala, which she may have been, but the word actually means 'a tower', which Magdala apparently had, as did numerous towns, however, the scripture never says she was 'of Magdala'; the scripture says she was 'called' or 'named', Magdalene, "a tower", much like Simon was 'called' or 'named' Peter, 'a rock' (Matt. 16:18). Mary, 'called Magdalene' exemplifies the full restoration of the Spirit of God, taking one who was fully possessed with 7 demons and not only fully restoring her to health and soundness, but making her 'a tower' of strength in the ministry of Jesus and in ministering and giving to Him].

Proverbs 31:10-31 also speaks of the virtuous woman, whose husband has no need of spoil, because his wife is constantly producing abundance and constantly giving to the poor and needy.

The initial question, in regards to Luke 8:1-3, is why there is no mention of men contributing to Jesus' ministry of giving life, health, and healing to the multitudes?

Full Restoration:

What is interesting about the word (euergeteo) is that, in historical use, it specifically refers to the betterment of persons or society, producing long lasting effects. It was a title of honour of such persons as had done the state some service, improving the quality of life of the citizens of the state (Liddell & Scott). In fact, "gods and heroes, kings and statesmen, philosophers, inventors and physicians are hailed as benefactors because of their contributions to the development of the race" (TDNT, Vol. 2, Kittel). This implies that the action of Jesus "doing good" was not simply a one time event that impacted people, but His actions had a long lasting effect, altering and improving the present condition of people.

Many Christian humanitarian organizations practice this aspect of 'doing good', where, rather than simply providing food for a family, perhaps they provide chickens that lay eggs repeatedly, to have a long lasting benefit, or a goat, to provide goats milk, again and again; or they dig a well and provide a purification system in villages, so the whole community has fresh clean water, producing the long lasting effect of not only clean water, but eliminating over 90% of diseases related to using dirty bacteria infested water to drink and cook with.

Old Testament Use:

The Greek word that is used in the LXX translates the Hebrew word (Gamel), 1580, which has the idea of bringing something to an end or fully completing something. It is used in both a good, positive sense, and in the negative sense of completely repaying injustice with full punishment, but in either case, the thought is to completely fulfill, or bring something to an end, and it carries with it the idea of bountifully, so that, in respect to punishment being meted out, it is completely and with finality exercised towards the recipient. Conversely, if it is doing good to someone, there is also the idea of doing the action, fully or abundantly, holding nothing back. In the positive sense it refers to the Lord finishing or accomplishing or fully performing what He said He would do. Interestingly enough, all the uses of the Hebrew word that the Greek word translates, are found in the Psalms.

"I will cry to God most high; to God who performs (all things) for me" (Ps.57:2)

"The Lord will perfect (that which) concerns me. Your mercy, O Lord, (endures) forever; forsake not the works of your own hands" (Ps.138:8)

In the verses cited, the English words 'perfect' and 'perform' are translated from the Hebrew (Gamel).

Perfect Pictures:

Hebrew is such a perfect and precise language where not only do the words convey colorful meanings, but the letters in the Hebrew words are pictographic with each letter illustrating a vivid visual imagery. The Hebrew word (Gamel) is formed from 3 Hebrew letters:

Gimel - This letter was originally the picture of a foot, ankle, and lower part of leg, shaped similar to an L and over time became the English letter 'G'. The general meaning of the letter is to bring something to someone.

Mem - This letter was originally a representation of waves of the sea or ocean, and looked like an inverted 'w', with 3 instead of 2 points. This letter became the English letter 'M'. The original pictograph represented super abundance or vastness, like the massiveness of the ocean.

Lamed - This letter originally was a representation of a shepherd's staff, looking similar to an exaggerated letter 'J' tilted to the right. This pictograph eventually produced the English letter 'L'. The pictograph represented authority, like the authority of the shepherd over the sheep.

The combination of the pictograph letters in Hebrew renders the general meaning of bringing (Gimel) super abundance (Mem) to someone through or by the authority (Lamed) that you possess.

Paul, by the Spirit of God, said that the authority we have been given is to build up and not to tear down (2 Cor. 10:8).

Spiritual Authority:

Applying the Hebrew meaning to the Greek word that is used to translate it, in Acts 10:38, Jesus, "...went about doing good...", using His authority to bring super abundance into the lives of people that changed their lives, producing long lasting effects. Specifically, not only did Jesus have authority to heal "...all that were oppressed of the devil...", but Jesus had authority over poverty and authority in finances (money), to bring super abundance into the lives of people.

We are the body of Christ, His representatives in the earth. We have authority over sickness and disease and we have authority over poverty and finances to bring super abundance into the lives of people changing their situation and condition forever. Jesus said, "ALL authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matt.28:18). Jesus had authority in finances and has given us that same authority to announce the good news, using any means possible, with all financial means possible, to bring deliverance from demonic oppression to the lives of people.

You Are God's Best and God's Best is Yours