CLICK HERE for "Biblical Prosperity, Part 1."

Yesterday we were reminded that God's resources are more than enough to meet our needs.  God's abundance is freely available to his sons and daughters.  His general desire to bless his people is captured by the Hebrew concept of shalom, which means "peace," but which also includes the ideas of completeness, well-being, wholeness, and prosperity.  A Biblical view of prosperity is not limited to money and requires an understanding of God’s desire to restore human beings with the abundant life that was lost through sin.  Today is part 2 of our look at biblical prosperity.  We will discover how money fits into God's overall plan for our lives.

So how does God view money?  Well, money is simply a medium of exchange.  We need money to live.  We also need money to do many of things that God calls us to do in the world.  God hates greed and oppression, but God has no problem with money.  Many of the wise principles of Scripture can lead to financial wealth.  However, what God values above all else is our relationship with him.  Always remember this key principle.  No matter what it is that you are praying about or trusting God for, his primary concern is that you enter into vital relationship with him.

THE BLESSINGS OF THE LORD FLOW FROM RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM!

Matthew 6:33 declares: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  God is the source of blessing.  From him come wisdom, insight, provision, favor, prosperity, and whatever else that we need.  We don’t have to master impersonal spiritual laws to be blessed; our prosperity comes from the very personal Heavenly Father.

How will financial increase come into our lives?

1. So the first step to Godly prosperity is putting God first, above all else. Two important Scriptures to remember (and there are many more) are Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 37:4.
2. Another step to Godly prosperity is the giving of your time, talents, and resources. Our surrender of ourselves and our possessions to the Lord is one aspect of our commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  See Proverbs 3:9-10 and Luke 6:38.
3. Thirdly, one cannot minimize the importance of diligence in receiving financial increase. God rewards honest, hard work.  See Proverbs 12:11, 24.
4. Fourthly we must trust in the Lord, rather than in riches.  The love or money is idolatrous, prideful and evil.  See 1 Timothy 6:17.  Additionally, see James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5 cf. Proverbs 3:34.
5. Fifthly we must learn to properly manage our money. See Proverbs 27:23-24.  This proper management involves avoiding unwise debt.  See Proverbs 22:7.
6. Sixthly, we need to control our self-desires. See Proverbs 21:17.
7. Seventh, we must always seek God for wisdom. See James 1:5-8.
8. Finally, we must continually surrender our gifts, abilities, and talents to the Lord. Our increase (financial and otherwise) relates to our divine purpose.  See Proverbs 18:16 and 2 Timothy 1:6.

For additional wealth principles, I recommend Kenneth Hammonds, God Wants You to Be Wealthy (2002).  This book presents a solidly biblical and practical theology of wealth.  To order the book through amazon.com, please CLICK HERE.

Blessings,
Wilfred Graves Jr.
www.wilfredgraves.org