Unfortunately, many Christians are sucked into prosperity gimmicks and abuses because they do not understand how God releases prosperity to His people. For numerous reasons, people tend to see prosperity as a single-street methodology that if used correctly is the “secret sauce” to releasing untold riches upon their lives.
Years ago, I watched a couple different ministries teach on the subject of prosperity. Each ministry came from a different angle. One ministry taught that prosperity was linked solely to a person’s faith and the soil into which that person sowed (gave) their offerings. The second ministry approached it from a business angle which provided untold numbers of books and pamphlets that upon purchase would provide the necessary wisdom and insight to prosper significantly. Both ministries tended to present the possibility of prosperity as a type of “secret sauce” that if implemented would radically change your net worth.
Parts of what they said were right and biblical. Other aspects not so much.
The truth is that the path to prosperity is not a single-street journey. In fact, I like how Psalm 1:3 presents prosperity:
“He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers (streams) of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”
Let me pull out a couple relevant points to this passage:
1. Prosperity is linked to WHATEVER a person does. (Not just one thing.)
This is a critical concept because whatever God calls you or leads you to do is capable of prospering. You can be the proverbial “butcher or baker or candlestick-maker” and still prosper. One of the wealthiest persons I have ever met was a guy who started his own trash collection company. Another wealthy man I met owned a junkyard. Prosperity is not just located in the so-called “professional” vocations, but rather WHATEVER you do can prosper.
2. Prosperity is linked to being PLANTED which indicates a long-term process.
Prosperity is not tied solely to a singular miraculous event. Instantaneous or dramatic moments of prosperity while possible, may be the exception rather than the rule. Prosperity needs to be viewed in terms of compound interest. It is apprehended over the long-term when a person makes quality (biblical) and God-honoring decisions in their life. One good decision is great, but not necessarily the key to prosperity. A good decision resting on the foundation of 999 good decisions can be the tipping point for an outpouring of abundance.
3. Prosperity flows through rivers (plural). (There is more than one stream through which a person may connect in order to prosper.)
There are actually 5 different biblical streams which God uses and chooses to release prosperity. God’s people need to plant themselves in the place where all 5 of these streams can be activated. It is important to remember that the Kingdom of God does not originate in earthly geography or by natural means. It is spiritual, in the sense that the economy and benefits of the Kingdom flow from another realm. That said, the spiritual nature of the Kingdom does not mean there are no earthly or natural consequences, ramifications, or repercussions when applying its precepts. The Kingdom is paradoxical which is why it is hidden from many people. However, when your eyes are unveiled to the reality of Kingdom promises and how these promises are accessed by faith, things begin to change.
But again…
A believer must “plant” in all the rivers (plural).
The FIVE (5) Streams which prosperity flows:
1. WORK (As in your job or career)
2. WISDOM (As in handling your resources appropriately)
3. WITTY IDEAS (As in creative ideas which are desired)
4. WORD (As in practicing biblical precepts of giving and sowing)
5. WONDERS (As in Sovereign, supernatural moments of enlargement)
Keep journeying with me…
I will deal with each of these 5 individually in upcoming blogs.
No Comments