Biblical Prosperity
God's Will is For His People to Prosper
Psalm 35:27
Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause. And let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.
3 John 2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
Prosperity is a gift from God
Proverbs 10:22
The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.
Ecclesiastes 5:19
Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God.
Poverty is a curse
According to Deuteronomy 28, the curse of poverty was to come upon God's children if they disobeyed him. Contrary to some religious doctrine, the Old Testament never views poverty and lack as a blessing from God. Poverty and lack was (and is) a curse.
Deuteronomy
28:15-18, 38-40
But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the
LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which
I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake
thee:
Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.
Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store.
Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it.
Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them.
Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit.
We've been redeemed from the Curse
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law!
Galatians 3:13-14
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise [Galatians 3:29].
Where is your Trust: God or Money?
Money, possessions, and riches are simply inanimate objects. Wealth is not innately evil in and of itself. Riches, wealth, and possessions only become a problem if:
- A person is putting their trust in riches instead of putting their trust in God
- A person is greedy or longs for money to serve selfish ambition.
Greed is defined as an excessive or rapacious desire that serves self, especially for wealth or possessions.
As numerously cited here, God does not have a problem with his people being wealthy and prosperous. In fact, prosperity and wealth are his will and are the by-products of following his principles.
Matthew 6:30,33
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
God wants your needs to be met abundantly! But in order to have true riches, the motive of your heart must be to bless others and establish God's covenant.
1 Timothy 6:17
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;