Prosperity Of The Believer – A Taboo Topic
I have often heard that a believer should not desire wealth, for that desire is ungodly and of this world. That belief system is unscriptural and designed to keep believers in a constant state of lack. Lack, in any form, will never glorify God.
So I ask you this: in who’s hands does wealth have the opportunity to serve and glorify God – the believer or the unbeliever’s?
When we ask the “good” questions, which I define as those questions that lead us closer to God, it can take us on a journey that leads us into deep waters. This is one such question. Money is often a taboo topic, especially amongst believers. But if we will take our questions to the Bible, we will find our answer.
In Exodus we see that when God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, He gave them wealth from their former captives. Thus the Israelites left captivity as a prosperous nation:
“…Every Israelite woman will ask for articles of silver and gold and fine clothing from her Egyptian neighbors and from the foreign women in their houses. You will dress your sons and daughters with these, stripping the Egyptians of their wealth.” Exodus 3:22
The LORD caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So they stripped the Egyptians of their wealth! Exodus 12:36
Later on God commanded Joshua to take the wealth of their enemies:
Israel took only the cattle and the spoil of that city as plunder for themselves, according to the word of the LORD which He had commanded Joshua. Joshua 8:27
And David was successful in recovering what was stolen from him:
David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken; and David rescued his two wives. There was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor anything that they had taken to them. David brought back all. David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drove before those other livestock, and said, “This is David’s reward.” 1 Samuel 30:18-20
As we can see throughout scripture, when the Lord delivered His people from captivity, He also delivered them from poverty.
Through Jesus Christ and the finished work of the cross, we, too, have been delivered from our captor. And we have been delivered from poverty as well.
Let’s examine wealth from another angle through the following passage:
But how can they call to him for help if they have not believed? And how can they believe if they have not heard the message? And how can they hear if the message is not proclaimed? And how can the message be proclaimed if the messengers are not sent out?… Romans 10:14-15
The Lord is saying that unless people are sent to share the gospel message, people will not hear the good news of Jesus Christ! And how, Beloved, are people sent? First they are called by God, then they are sent by man. And how are these trips funded? Through the wealth of the believer.
Without the wealth of the believer, Kingdom work will not be funded.
God never declared that a Christian was called to a life of lack. Quite the opposite! Christ became poor so that we might be rich in all ways – spirit, soul and body!
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2
We have an abundant life in Jesus and that certainly includes wealth. We must not let the false doctrine of this world interpret the scriptures for us, nor should we allow our circumstances to do so. If you have lack in any area of your life, it is time to ask a “good” question – “Lord, what lie about You am I believing?”
Lack is always from a misunderstanding on our part. Never in His provision.
True, some may be called to leave behind wealth in order to minister full time, but one must let God tell them so and not the opinions of man. In that event, God’s provision has already been established through the hearts, generosity and wealth of others, and He will connect you to that source.
If God did not desire that His children prosper, then why would He give us the power and ability to obtain wealth?
Remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to become rich. He does this because he is still faithful today to the covenant that he made with your ancestors. Deuteronomy 8:18
Why does He desire that we prosper financially? The following passage makes it evident:
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others…Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 2 Corinthians 9:8,11
Notice the words generously, provide all, everything, plenty, enriched and always be generous. God is serious about prospering His children so that we can assist others when called to do so, thereby glorifying God!
Through scripture we have seen that when God led His people out of captivity, He provided financially for them. We also read that the gospel is spread by sending out ministers, thus requiring wealth to support them. And we’ve seen that when we are blessed financially, we are to share generously with others.
Beloved, it takes the transforming Spirit of God to move in our hearts to cause us to be a generous people, willingly funding Kingdom work. So again I ask you: in who’s hands does wealth have the opportunity to serve and glorify God – the believer or the unbeliever’s?
Final thought: we must be mature in our understanding of scripture so that we are not led astray into false doctrine. Regarding wealth and the believer, this can lean both ways: into the ditch of a “poverty mentality” so that you never expect monetary rewards, or into the ditch of the “love of money”, believing God to be the source that supplies all of your selfish desires. Both of these mindsets are ungodly. As we saw through the few verses I shared, God desires His children to prosper on all levels, for this brings Him great pleasure and glory!
(Some hindrances to receiving all God has already provided: unbelief, false doctrine, demonic strongholds and interference, among other things. For most of us this is something new to consider, so it’s vital that you study this out in depth and allow Holy Spirit to lead you into all Truth. Praise God for sending us Holy Spirit to teach us and confirm His Word!)
Brothers and sisters, it’s time to toss the notion that a good Christian is a poor Christian.
God blesses the work of our hands (Deuteronomy 2:7, 28:12), not our idleness (Proverbs 6:9-11; 2 Thessalonians 3:10). So whether you are a doctor, teacher, lawyer, janitor, politician, homemaker, pastor, etc, God desires for you to prosper financially, just as you prosper in all areas! And as you do so, remember that it is God that gave you the power and ability to produce wealth. Thus you have the responsibility to share your wealth with others, thereby glorifying God through your generosity!
Let the LORD be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. Psalm 35:27
Thank You, Jesus!
I AM BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!
