Pound Foolish (Windy City Neighbors Book 4) by Neta Jackson, Dave Jackson

blessing of Abraham [would] come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus.’” Pastor Hanson zeroed in on his point: this promise of prosperity was for believers today. “We are Abraham’s seed, in line to inherit the promise, and God never breaks a promise. Psalm eighty-nine, thirty-four says, ‘My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of my lips.’”
         Greg noticed that Nicole had her Bible open and seemed to be reading the whole Genesis chapter.
         “That brings us to the third question,” Hanson bellowed. “How is the promise received? Again, the answer’s in the Word. We receive it just like Abraham did—by faith! Verse fourteen couldn’t be more clear: ‘We . . . receive the promise . . . through faith.’ Simple as that! Do you want it?”
         “Yes,” half the audience murmured.
         “Really? Doesn’t sound like it. Do you really want it?”
         “Yes!”
         “Really?”
         “Yes! Yes! Yes!” All hesitation gone.
         “You want it today?”
         That brought the house down as people again rose to their feet, clapping, dancing, raising their hands, and crying, “Yes! Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus!”
         Greg’s eyes were closed and his hands were raised as the praise band began playing and a powerful soprano launched into, “It’s a new season . . . of power and prosperity.” The singer’s voice was so like the woman who’d led them in welcoming Mrs. Krakowski back to the neighborhood, Greg had to open his eyes to check. Nope. Somebody else. But still . . .
         “Do you believe it? Do you believe it?”
         The singer’s words brought Greg back to the present. But that connection to Beecham Street caused him to wonder what Pastor Hanson’s message meant for him? He had a good job, and they were doing all right financially, but perhaps God had more in store for him. Maybe he and Nicole ought to start a new business. She could run it from home while she was homeschooling the kids. Yes, yes. What a teachable moment that would provide for the kids, to see an example of real entrepreneurship right in their own home! They might even be able to help out, depending on what the business was.
         Ah, this was great! Thank you, Jesus! The education of children today had become so divorced from the family’s livelihood. Used to be the whole family was involved together on the farm or in the shop, making shoes or selling produce in the marketplace. But now . . .
         He felt as if God was giving him a vision.
         Pastor Hanson’s voice interrupted. “Be with us next Sunday as we explore ‘The Law of Sowing and Reaping,’ God’s divine plan for exercising your faith to receive your blessing!” The pastor was talking directly to a camera that had zoomed in close. How did he know which one to look at? “And especially for you friends out there worshiping with us through television. You’re as much a part of this family as those who are able to make it here to the Victorious Living Center, and so we want to provide a means for you to easily seed into our ministry.”
         Greg felt he was already seeding, and generously too. The next step for him was to receive the promise by faith so he could seed even more. He grinned to himself. Who knew where this would end? With a new lightness in his step, he headed for the Exit sign leading to the stairway. He would explain the whole thing to Nicole as they drove home.
     
    * * * *
       
    Nicole had watched Greg’s enthusiastic response to the pastor’s message. He’d been on his feet, clapping and singing and raising his hands. It amazed her and made her realize she really was a lucky woman. Glancing around at the audience in the Victorious Living Center, she saw many women were there without husbands, probably single moms or wives whose husbands weren’t interested in spiritual things.
         At least Greg was