This is the aspect of prosperity and the area that receives the most criticism. Pastors who preach and teach against the “prosperity message” will often times play the 3-minute YouTube clip of a television fundraising event of a ministry which illustrates an abuse or misuse of the Word to solicit donations. It smacks of manipulation, gimmickry, and scheming. I cannot defend it, nor will I try. That said, we can all dislike charlatans who twist Scripture to selfish ends, however one must still come to terms with the truth of God’s Word. Implementing His Word is the fourth prosperity “stream” that God uses to enlarge His people.
Prosperity
NO LONGER ASHAMED OF PROSPERITY #11: How Does God Release Prosperity – WITTY IDEAS
One of my favorite television shows is Shark Tank. An entrepreneur, innovator, or businessperson has some clever idea that needs an investor, so they come on this show and make a “pitch” to five venture capitalists. I am not a financier the magnitude of these investors, but I enjoy watching the minds of these people process the possibilities before them. Some of the business ideas that are presented are lame, others are good but not at a point of investment, while others demonstrate the possibility of hitting it big in the market. Again, I am amazed at the cleverness and ingenuity of the people on the show, especially the inventors. I think to myself, “What a gift that must be to create something that never existed which people need (or want) and prosper by it.”
NO LONGER ASHAMED OF PROSPERITY #10: How is Prosperity Released – WISDOM
There is an old “saying” that many have used through the years to illustrate the connection wisdom and foolishness have to prosperity and poverty which goes like this: “A fool and his money are soon departed”. The actual phrase was used by a poet, Thomas Tusser, in a poem he wrote entitled, “Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry”, in 1557. I have not read the entire poem, but I can vouch for the counsel that to be a good husband would most assuredly include avoiding foolish expenditures, investments, or purchases. (And all the wives said, “Amen”.)
NO LONGER ASHAMED OF PROSPERITY #9: How is Prosperity Released – Work
A part of the current worldview battle in America swirls around the concept of prosperity and the “have’s v. the have-nots”. Since I am not an economist, I can only debate economic theory at a superficial level. I do understand, however, that it is important to have a thriving middle-class and for every opportunity to be available for impoverished people to move out of their poverty. The good news is, that this desire for the impoverished people of the earth to prosper is not only linked to human compassion and hopes, but also the will of God. The Lord wants people to prosper (Psalm 35:27). The key is to translate God’s Will into definable actions on our part. The Lord may want something for your life, but the question is whether or not a person is willing to do (obey) what is asked.
NO LONGER ASHAMED OF PROSPERITY #8: How God Releases Prosperity
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.