I am convinced that there has been a shift this past year in the mindset of what prosperity is. With the dawn of a day where it is common to see numbers like 1 trillion: I am confident that people are realizing that by the world’s standards it is becoming more difficult to be “prosperous”. This is not to say that people will not excel at their profession and be compensated accordingly – it is to say that the days of “glamour and wealth” do not have the importance they once had and you know what – that is a good thing…
The bible is filled with verses that deal with prosperity:
- Jesus Christ became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich – 2 Corinthians 8:9
- The blessing of the Lord makes one rich – Proverbs 10:22
- I am the LORD your God that teaches you to profit – Isaiah 48:17
- The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want – Psalm 23:1
- Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed – Proverbs 16:3
1. So… Is Prosperity about material possessions?
English = Prosper = to be successful, to thrive, to be rich.
Hebrew = ‘Halak’ = to go on, to progress.
= Sakal = to act wisely
=Shalom = to be complete, finished, at peace.
So is prosperity about material possessions – the implied answer, according to the truth of the bible, is ‘no’. God is not against material possessions or wealth = he allowed Solomon to amass wealth of around $126 Billion. Yet in the end even Solomon succumb to the temptation to think he was ‘above’ the world and the ‘rules’ did not apply to him. Again, living with a kingdom mindset is contrary to everything we see in the world.
In truth I believe there is a spirit that is associated with the “prosperity” the west has propagated – one of it’s names is Euthenia. Listen to her description: Winsome, appealing, alluring and charming – Euthenia is the goddess of prosperity.
The other spirit that holds people in bondage is the fear of man… that manifests itself in the form of debt.
The root question about prosperity is this: Where have you received your definition of prosperity? If it does not align with the bible… you’re using a false system to form your beliefs.
Matt 13:22-23: "Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”
2. If prosperity were about possessions – would a loving God make it more difficult for us to enter into the kingdom of God?
The rich young ruler: Luke 18:18-23 –
We are told that God desires for us to “prosper” – therefore, if prosperity were about material possessions God would be contradicting Himself… which is impossible.
3. Would God ask us to invest our lives in the acquisition of things that will not remain? (Investing in futility)
- Matthew 6:19 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal…”
4. Seeds of sin flourish in the desire for worldly prosperity:
- James 4:2 – “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel…”
The earth shakes because of an ungodly desire for things that will not remain.
- Hebrews 12:26-27 – “At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ This phrase, ‘Yet once more,’ indicates the removal of things that are shaken – that is, things that are made – in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.’
In these times – the earth is shaking; what has caused this? First, it is the natural progression of the earth ‘groaning’ for the return of its original state. (Romans 8:22) Second, people’s fixation with things that will not remain.
- Again, contrary to what God asks of us; “Set your minds on the things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2)
So… from these we can reason that ‘prosperity’ according to the bible is not about material possessions… so what is it?
5. What is the biblical design of “prosperity”?
Psalm 1:3 - And he (the obedient believer) shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does he shall prosper.
From this we find some traits of what biblical prosperity is:
- Tree – represents prominence in that they stand above the ‘fields’ (the civilized world).
• So biblical prosperity having a way of thinking that is above ‘the world’.
- Rivers of water – represents God’s continual provision in life.
• Biblical prosperity is about provision.
• A river is also a metaphor for the Holy Spirit.
• So – biblical prosperity is the Holy Spirits continued provision in our lives.
- Fruit in season – represents consistency, reliability.
• Biblical prosperity is having a consistent steady progression.
• Even when it is ‘winter’ there is still the hopeful expectation of the next season.
- Leaf shall not wither – speaks to the issue of timing –
• God will provide the proper portion at the proper time (too much means death from water intoxication, too little causes dehydration and death).
- The root word for ‘prosper’ means to ‘come upon mightily with a sudden and forceful action” to overcome.
• Biblical prosperity in navigating through life with a confident mighty action despite circumstance.
• Interesting to note: One reason people do not pursue and take action towards the things of the Kingdom of God is that they fear “loosing” their material prosperity.
So… biblical prosperity is - a confidence that you will ‘overcome’ through God’s consistent provision by the Holy Spirit in order to stand above the trappings of the civilized world.
6. How do I obtain prosperity?
- First – it stems from Faith in God: 2 Chronicles 20:20 – “…believe in the LORD your God, so shall you be established; believe his prophets, so you will prosper.”
- Second – Obedience – Joshua 1:7 – This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but meditate on it day and night that you may observe all that is written; for then your way shall be prosperous and you shall have good success.”
- Seek the LORD (Uzziah) – 2 Chronicles 26:5 – “And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.
- Fourth – emulate the life of Christ:
• This asks that we do not consider the elementary principals of the world.
• He was born in a stable – his parents sacrifice two doves… least expensive sacrifice at the time.
• Matt. 8:19-20: Jesus himself he had no place to lay his head, no permanent home, he constantly traveled. "Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
• Luke 12:15-21: And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." Then He spoke a parable to them, about a rich man who was planning his future expansion, he sums it up in vs.21"So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
I’ve heard, “I wish I would win the lottery and I’d give ½ to the church…”
- My response is, “God would be more honored if you gave ½ of what you have right now.” But let’s start with what God asks (10%).
• He tells us that in the praise for the widow who gave out of her poverty (Luke 21:4)
“God is most celebrated in our difficulties – God is most glorified in you, when you are most satisfied in Him in the midst of loss… not worldly prosperity.”
- Would you give up 10% of your possessions to rid yourself of a disease that will ruin your life?
Well… having a correct perspective on prosperity apparently does this –
3 John 2 – “I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.”
NOTE: this is not promising that you will not get physically sick… (wish above all for your health) you can’t buy favor from God. The “health” spoken of here is of your soul (mind, will and emotions).
8. How do I “prosper”?
Let’s examine the biblical example of “true prosperity”
Luke 19:11-26
- True ‘prosperity’ is taking what has been given to you by God and using it to increase the Kingdom of God.
- To ‘prosper’ it is necessary to “invest” in those things that are eternal.
This is a ‘hard saying’ and many walk away from Jesus because of it. But for those that are trained up in it – their life is liberated from the ‘ruler of this world’s’ power and true prosperity will abound.
2nd take God at His word – test him – Malachi 3:10 – “Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
“Prosperity is not about having – it is about giving”
“Prosperity is not about getting – it is about being satisfied”
“Prosperity is not about happiness – it is about steadiness”
True prosperity begins in your mind and the breaking down of strongholds set up against the things of God… namely material prosperity (health, wealth, happiness)!
Job 2:20 – “then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mothers womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.”
SLC will be a church that will teach the bible… even when it is not the most appealing topic…
I was reading an article about the national debt last week; in the article it laid out a plan in which the government would receive more money in taxes than the “tax-bracket” system we have now.
Can you guess what it is? If you guessed a flat tax – you’re right.
The kingdom principal of equal giving is proven by the method of the world -
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