INTRODUCTION
The relationship between the Gospel of Jesus Christ and prosperity is a topic of much debate and discussion on social media and in churches these days.
In following the discussion two doctrinal positions are evident: the pro-wealth view and the anti-prosperity view.
》The more popular pro-wealth view suggests that the gospel is all about material prosperity in this earthly, and places little or no value on eternal salvation. All bible verses and are interpreted to mean physical or financial blessings.
》The less popular anti-prosperity view says the gospel is all about Jesus Christ and has nothing to do with any material prosperity or blessings. It suggests that all of the bible verses about riches refer to spiritual and eternal things, and that Christians do not need Jesus to prosper materially.
Both of these views have an unbalanced mix of truth and error and they both end up destroying the lives of believers who adhere to either one of them.
The pro-wealth view results in carnal materialism (the belief that physical possessions and wealth are the most important or valuable aspects of life), lack of spiritual fruit and disappointment.
On the other hand, the anti-prosperity view results in spiritual elitism (the belief that a select group of people based on their beliefs; are better than others and exclusively deserve access to God and to heaven), self righteousness and religious radicalism or aggression.
It's important to understand what the Bible says about prosperity and how it fits into the life of a believer from a balanced perspective.
In this teaching we are going to see the actual meaning of prosperity and how it is appropriated to the believers according to the scriptures.
We will see from the Bible how prosperity is holistic (both spiritual and physical), how the spiritual forms the foundation of the physical, how the physical reveals the spiritual, and how both work together to glorify God.
In laying a foundation for understanding the balanced truth about prosperity and the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Bible, we need to first understand the balanced meaning of the gospel itself...
WHAT IS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST - A BALANCED VIEW
The word "gospel" has its roots in the Greek "euangelion" (good news or glad tidings) as derived from "eu" - "good" or "well," and "angelos" - "messenger" or "angel."
In the Bible, the term "gospel" refers to the good news of Jesus Christ which is summed up in two words: grace and truth, and it contrasted with the law of Moses by which men are condemned in sin to death.
John 1:17 "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."
Grace and truth are the two branches that make the complete gospel. Grace is known as the gospel of grace, and truth is known as the gospel of the kingdom of God. Paul presented the 'whole counsel of God' by preaching these two kinds of the gospel.
Acts 20:24-27 (WEB) "But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God. “Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching God’s Kingdom, will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you today that I am clean from the blood of all men, for I didn’t shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God."
The truth and gospel of the kingdom of God is the gospel of the circumcision that was revealed to the Jews through the ministry of Peter and the twelve apostles. The gospel of grace is the gospel of the uncircumcision given to the Gentiles through the ministry of Paul the apostle.
Galatians 2:7-8 (KJV) "But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)."
The foundation of the truth and gospel of the kingdom of God is the revelation of WHO JESUS IS (Christ/Messiah the Son of the living God), and that revelation was given to Peter.
Matthew 16:15-17 (WEB) "He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven."
The foundation of the grace or gospel of grace of is the revelation of WHAT JESUS DID (the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ), and that revelation was given to Paul. He writes...
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (WEB) "Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."
The gospel of the kingdom of God reveals His image and the gospel of grace reveals His likeness. The image of God is His righteous nature and character as revealed in the fruit of the Spirit, and the likeness of God is revealed in the gifts of the Spirit.
Man was created to reflect both the image and the likeness of God and the two bring the complete reflection of God's glory.
Genesis 1:26 (WEB) "God said, “Let’s make man in our IMAGE, after our LIKENESS...”
The complete glory of God is what Christ reflected as grace and truth in His earthly life.
John 1:14 (WEB) "The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of GRACE and TRUTH."
Sadly the church is split on two extremes of the gospel of the kingdom versus the gospel of grace, and this leads to the two extreme views of interpretation in relation to prosperity...
》The extreme biased on the truth of God's kingdom gave birth to the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement in the United States of America which teaches the following extreme views:
> Prosperity Gospel: Beyond the scriptures, the NAR emphasizes material wealth and health as divine rights tied to donations and "seed faith" (giving to receive more). Leaders promise financial blessings, healing, and success in exchange for loyalty and financial support.
> Dominionism: The NAR seeks to establish a theocratic government on earth in this age, where "apostles" and "prophets" rule society, influencing politics, economy, and culture. NAR leaders claim divine authority, promoting authoritarianism, suppression of different views, and unaccountable leadership.
These extremes deviate from biblical teachings, prioritizing power, wealth, and manipulative control over humility, love, and servitude.
》The other extreme biased on the gospel of God's grace gave birth to the Mid-Acts Dispensation (MAD) or 'Rightly Dividing' movement in the United States of America which teaches the following extreme views:
> Ultra-literalism: The MAD rejects biblical application beyond historical and spiritual contexts. To them prosperity and riches in the Bible are limited only to the spiritual realm.
> Radical separation from "false" ministers, churches and believers: The MAD exhibit a harsh, critical, and condemning attitude towards other Christians outside their circle. MAD rejects mainstream Christianity, labeling it "apostate." They see themselves as the remnant as all other churches are 'lost'.
> Elitism: The MAD claiming exclusive understanding of the bible and spiritual superiority. They have a rigid view of the bible and are not open to correction or any interpretation different from their own. They feel more spiritually correct and always seek to teach others who are certainly 'lost.'
> Rejection of all biblical faith teachings related to healing and prosperity, labeling them "prosperity gospel" or "Word of Faith."
> 'Right Division': The MAD teach man made dispensational boundaries in the Bible, creating a "us vs. them" mentality. Most of them reject the four Gospels and the letters of Peter, James and John. They only acknowledge the 13 letters of Paul whom they selectively misinterpret.
> Denial of biblical prosperity and Overemphasis on suffering, as spiritual virtues: The MAD claim that material prosperity is only for Israel or the future kingdom. They believe it is carnal or fleshly to desire financial blessings, which they claim not to be applicable to the Church Age, and praying for riches of this life is seen as a sign of spiritual immaturity and worldliness. Financial lack, poverty, and hardship is seen as "suffering with Christ" or "dying to self."
> Hypocrisy: The MAD disregard for biblical stewardship and responsible financial management. Often they lack accountability and transparency in financial dealings.
These extremes lead to spiritual pride, poverty, legalism, and isolationism, deviating from biblical teachings on faith, stewardship, love, humility, unity, and God's goodness.
While many innocent belivers especially in the third world nations not directly identify with these two extreme Gospel movements, they have been influenced by their views and practices in one way or another.
Both the evangelical pentecostal church and the false 'modern day prophetic movement' in Africa have been deeply influenced by the NAR teachings, and the materialistic teachings of financial prosperity have replaced the cross for salvation.
In this teaching we will see how prosperity is revealed from the balanced perspective of the whole counsel of God.
WHAT IS PROSPERITY IN THE BIBLE - A BALANCED VIEW
A foundation for correct understanding:
There is a need for us to understand the scriptures from the perspective of how God speaks or does NOT speak, and move away from the human views which partly correct and partly wrong.
God does not speak words from limited compartments of interpretation, but He speaks holistic words whose meaning cuts across all layers of reality and existence. When God speaks His voice affects everything.
This is important to understand because scriptures are not written from the manner in which men speak, but they are written from the way God speaks.
For example, when God warned Adam saying, "You shall not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die” (Genesis 2:17); both the words day and die here are holistic and not limited to one plane of reality.
The word 'day' refers both to the twenty-four hour period marked by evening and morning, and to the millenial period of one thousand years. The day is not limited to just one of the two meanings, and each one of them helps us to understand the 'day' in different forms.
Genesis 1:5 (WEB) "God called the light “day”, and the darkness he called “night”. There was evening and there was morning, the first day."
2 Peter 3:8 (WEB) "But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
Within the twenty-four hour period of day, Adam experienced spiritual death as God's glory departed from him, and a deposit of his physical death manifested in his vulnerability, fear, nakedness and shame (Genesis 3:6-10). But it took nine hundred and thirty for death to manifest fully in his physical life, which is within the millenial day.
Genesis 5:5 (WEB) "All the days that Adam lived were nine hundred thirty years, then he died."
So then, death is not limited to either the spiritual or natural aspect only, but refers to both. It is holistic, covering the spiritual and physical person in its fullness. So also is life. This helps us understand how Jesus came to restore life in either the spirit only or the flesh only, but in it's fullness.
John 10:10 (BSB) "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have LIFE and have it in all its FULLNESS."
Just as Adam instantly died in the moment that he ate of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, and the death matured in his body of flesh in 930 years; man receives eternal life instantly in his renewed spirit in the regeneration, and will be given an eternal body at the end of this age (millenial day of the church).
Having laid this foundation, and having taken off the limited lenses with which men see things, now let us go on to the meaning of prosperity and its other related words from the balanced view of how God speaks.
The Biblical Meaning of Prosperity:
Prosperity in the Old Testament Hebrew is "tsalach" which means "to prosper," "to succeed," "to thrive," "to rush, to throw oneself forcefully," often describing a sudden and powerful action of progress, such as the Spirit of God coming upon someone (Judges 14:6, 14:19; 1 Samuel 10:6, 10:10, 11:6, 16:13, 18:10).
Tsalach means "to prosper, to succeed," used to describe a person's or a venture's success, with God as the one who causes this prosperity (Genesis 24:21, 39:3, 39:23; Nehemiah 1:11, 2:20).
It also means to be profitable, to be advantageous" when referring to things (Jeremiah 13:7, 13:10; Ezekiel 15:4).
Tsalach expresses both the idea of a sudden, powerful action and the concepts of prosperity, success, and achievement, often with God as the source of this blessing. It is holistic prosperity covering all aspects of human life that those who meditate on the Word of God are guaranteed to enjoy.
Joshua 1:8 (WEB) "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous (tsalach), and then you shall have good success."
Psalms 1:1-3 (WEB) "Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper (tsalach)."
Another Hebrew word for prosperity connected with meditation is 'shalom' (prosperity, peace), comes from the root 'shalam' meaning 'complete, whole.'
Isaiah 26:3 (WEB) "You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace (shalom shalom), because he trusts in you."
By nature, shalom is a holistic word covering all aspects of human life and can not be restricted to mean either the spiritual or the natural only.
The Greek New Testament word matching to the Hebrew tsalach is 'euodoo' (prosper), which comes from 'eu' (to be well) and 'hodos' (way or progress), and according to Strong's Concordance, it means 'to help on the road, that is, succeed in reaching; to succeed in business affairs; to have a prosperous journey.'
Just like the Hebrew shalom, the Greek eudoo is a holistic word covering prosperity from the spirit and also manifesting in the natural.
3 John 1:2 (WEB) "Beloved, I pray that you may PROSPER (eudoo) in ALL THINGS and be healthy, even as your SOUL PROSPERS (eudoo)."
This verse provides insight into God's desire for our well-being. God is expressing through the apostle John that He wants us to succeed, flourish, or have good success in ALL THINGS.
This is all-inclusive prosperity, encompassing emotional, physical, and material aspects; which must manifest as our souls prosper. The prosperity of the soul is spiritual health, growth, life, and fitness.
John's prayer to Gaius encompasses three aspects: material prosperity (success in daily life, finances, and endeavors), physical health (wholeness and well-being in body and mind), and spiritual prosperity (growth in the fruit of the Spirit).
Jesus came that we may have life in its fullness from the spiritual to the physical realm, and the manifestation of that life at all levels is prosperity. This shows God's concern for our total well-being, and the biblical principle of balance between spiritual, mental, and material prosperity.
The Balanced Understanding of Blessing(s), Riches and Wealth
Blessing is both a verb and a noun. A verb expresses action, occurrence, or state (e.g., "running"), whereas a noun represents a person, place, thing, or concept (e.g., "runner").
The word "blessing" as a verb originates from the Old English "blēdsian," meaning "to consecrate" or "to make holy," which is related to the act of invoking divine favor or approval upon someone or something by speaking words. The Hebrew 'brakha' or 'barak' means 'to kneel,' or to 'speak well of.'
The act of blessing was normally practiced by the fathers as they spoke well over their children to empower them for their life-purposes. Jacob for example, spoke words prophetically over his twelve sons to bless them appropriately according to God's will over their lives.
Genesis 49:28 (NET) "These are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father SAID to them when he BLESSED them. He gave each of them an appropriate blessing."
The Greek "eulogia" for blessing comes from "eu" - well, and "logos" - speak, which also means to speak well of. The first thing God ever did after making man was to bless him for the dominion mandate. With God, there is no assignment without empowerment.
Genesis 1:28 (WEB) "God BLESSED them. God SAID to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”"
In the Bible, "blessing" as a noun refers to the endowment of divine favor and protection bestowed by God, associated with happiness, prosperity, and enrichment. It is the supernatural empowerment to prosper for God's purposes that is released by speaking words upon a person or a thing.
Blessing is 'the power to get wealth' that comes from God. Not all who have wealth in this world are blessed. It is only those who have accessed wealth by God's power who are truly blessed.
Deuteronomy 8:18 (WEB) "But you shall remember Yahweh your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as it is today."
God's blessing is released by words in the Spirit, but manifests in physical form of riches (blessings) that comes with no sorrow attached to them.
Proverbs 10:22 (NET) "The blessing from the Lord makes a person RICH, and he adds no sorrow to it."
The Hebrew "osher" for riches comes from "ashar" which means 'to be blessed.' So, when the Bible says that God's blessing makes rich here, what riches are being referred to?
In the context of this particular scripture the blessing takes the essence of the spiritual riches that form the basis for the manifestation of material riches, without any problems attached.
The Greek "ploutos" for riches in the New Testament means plenty, abundant or much. The idea of plenty here has to do with having a surplus beyond what is required of everything. In other words it means being fully supplied without lack.
Ephesians 3:20 "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."
As with everything else, God does not speak of riches generally in a restricted sense as either spiritual or material, except when He is putting emphasis on the spiritual and also when He is making a distinction of the two.
God puts emphasis on the spiritual blessings we have received in Christ are, for they are the heavenly basis and reality of the glory of God that material riches picture on earth.
Ephesians 1:3 (NET) "Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ."
Both spiritual and material benefits of the blessing of the Lord come through the obedience of faith to His Word. They come as cumulative benefits of faithfulness to believers.
Psalm 103:2-5 (AMP) "Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits. Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy; Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle 's [strong, overcoming, soaring]!"
In the Law of Moses were the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant were listed as rewards for obedience to the Law.
Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (WEB) "It shall happen, if you shall listen diligently to Yahweh your God’s voice, to observe to do all his commandments which I command you today, that Yahweh your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you, and overtake you, if you listen to Yahweh your God’s voice. You shall be blessed in the city, and you shall be blessed in the field. You shall be blessed in the fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the fruit of your animals, the increase of your livestock, and the young of your flock. Your basket and your kneading trough shall be blessed. You shall be blessed when you come in, and you shall be blessed when you go out. Yahweh will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be struck before you. They will come out against you one way, and will flee before you seven ways. Yahweh will command the blessing on you in your barns, and in all that you put your hand to. He will bless you in the land which Yahweh your God gives you. Yahweh will establish you for a holy people to himself, as he has sworn to you, if you shall keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, and walk in his ways. All the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by Yahweh’s name, and they will be afraid of you. Yahweh will grant you abundant prosperity in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground, in the land which Yahweh swore to your fathers to give you. Yahweh will open to you his good treasure in the sky, to give the rain of your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You will lend to many nations, and you will not borrow. Yahweh will make you the head, and not the tail. You will be above only, and you will not be beneath, if you listen to the commandments of Yahweh your God which I command you today, to observe and to do, and shall not turn away from any of the words which I command you today, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them."
All the spiritual and material benefits of prosperity are wealth. Wealth and riches are closely related words in the Bible.The Hebrew "hon" for wealth comes from "havon" (rich); and the Greek "plousios" for wealthy comes from "ploutos" (rich).
To be wealthy is to have more than enough spiritual possessions and material and resources. The purpose of material prosperity is to serve God and to distribute to the needy as stewards of material wealth.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (WEB) "Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life."
It is wrong to confine the words prosperity, blessing, riches and wealth to material things of this world which will soon pass away. And it is equally wrong to limit the same words to the spiritual realm as if the earth is the devil's when it belongs to God.
Psalms 24:1 (WEB) "The earth is Yahweh’s, with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell in it."
Christ Jesus who is the Seed of Abraham, inherited the holistic blessing of the Abrahamic covenant, for Abraham was blessed by God Most High, possessor of both the spiritual (heaven) and the material (earth).
Genesis 14:18-19 (WEB) "Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High. He blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth."
Galatians 3:16 "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ."
So Christ took upon Himself the curse of the Law so that we could receive the blessing of Abraham along with the Holy Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:13-14 (WEB) "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,” that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
By taking the curse of the Law upon Himself, Christ became poor so that we may have access to His riches.
2 Corinthians 8:9 (WEB) "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich."
In the Bible verse above Paul is teaching the Corinthians to give their material possessions to those in need, and is reminding them that their material prosperity is a result of the grace of God and part of the riches of Christ.
Paul goes on to tell them that they are to share with others from their excess wealth without putting themselves in lack either.
2 Corinthians 8:13-14 (WEB) "For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed, but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack; that there may be equality."
God's desire is a shalom community of people with nothing lacking. Christ became poor in every sense of poverty, from the spiritual to the physical.
He emptied Himself of His glory as God to become a needy son of a poor carpenter born in a smelly manger, took the nature of a slave without rights or human dignity, and died on the cross as a criminal of criminals.
Philippians 2:5-8 (WEB) "Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross."
There is no poverty worse than what Christ endured. He was sold by Judas as a cheap slave for 33 pieces of silver for our prosperity. Let's not try to cheapen His sacrifice by limiting the meaning of prosperity to a thin veil of understanding.
If God gave us Jesus Christ, He will also give us all things freely together with Him. Let us not cheapen the grace of God through a materialism that attaches some extra biblical charges of giving for prosperity outside of biblical justification.
Romans 8:32-33 (WEB) "He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? Who could bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies."
After all, prosperity isn't limited to material wealth. It includes spiritual well-being, peace, and fulfillment in life. The key is to view prosperity as holistic.
CONCLUSION
The Proper Attitude Towards Prosperity
The Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us that true prosperity is found in a relationship with God, characterized by spiritual growth, contentment, and generosity.
Material wealth is not the ultimate goal, but is a means to attain a higher and eternal purpose. By prioritizing our spiritual well-being and trusting God’s provision, we experience true prosperity that goes beyond material wealth.
True prosperity is a balanced life of total freedom and well-being, including fulfillment, peace, provision and contentment, which Jesus offers through a relationship with Him.
Sadly a lot of preachers have turned the gospel into a message of material wealth and to them Christianity is a means to gain wealth. The Bible warns us to withdraw ourselves from such.
1 Timothy 6:5-8 (WEB) "Constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. But having food and clothing, we will be content with that."
The Christian must not be driven by the love of money to pursue wealth. This is the snare that the devil is using to draw people away from God.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 (WEB) "But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
Paul teaches the importance of being content and finding strength in Christ, regardless of having or not having material wealth.
Philippians 4:11-13 (WEB) "Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."
This does not mean that we must not seek the blessing of God either, it simply means that our hearts must be devoted to God and not to money in the process. It's impossible to love both God and money at the same time.
Matthew 6:24 (NET) “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
We must first seek the will of God according to the Gospel of the kingdom, but His righteousness, and God Himself will add the riches of this life to us.
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Seeking God's kingdom is the priority. Spiritual growth and a relationship with God bring true fulfillment. God promises to provide for our needs, when we align with His purpose. Giving our worldly riches to God's purposes gives them an eternal value beyond this world.
Matthew 6:19-20 (NET) “Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal."
Luke 16:9 (NET) "And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by how you use worldly wealth, so that when it runs out you will be welcomed into the eternal homes."
The spiritual kingdom of God has the capacity to supply natural blessings from the invisible riches of His glory. Paul was sure that God would supply the Philippians who supported his ministry financially according to His riches in glory.
Philippians 4:18-19 (NET) "For I have received everything, and I have plenty. I have all I need because I received from Epaphroditus what you sent – a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, very pleasing to God. And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Generosity in the kingdom reflects trust in God and leads to proportionate blessings beyond material wealth.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NET) "My point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work."
Does one need Jesus to prosper materially?
If a person is seeking to prosper materially without added sorrows, yes, they need Jesus because He alone does offer that kind of material wealth.
In reality, the devil does not make anybody prosper materially. He only uses the material wealth in his custody as bait to hook souls away from God and then kills them. Satan is a thief.
John 10:10 (NET) "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly."
The ability to enjoy wealth from your work without stress only comes from God as a blessing, and is a gift that the devil does not have to give his worshippers.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (NET) "I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live, and also that everyone should eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all his toil, for these things are a gift from God."
Ecclesiastes 5:19 (NET) "To every man whom God has given wealth, and possessions, he has also given him the ability to eat from them, to receive his reward and to find enjoyment in his toil; these things are the gift of God."
Many people who seem to achieve material success without a relationship with Jesus do not even have the freedom to enjoy that wealth.
Ecclesiastes 5:13-17 (WEB) "There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm. Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand. As he came out of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind? All his days he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath."
Just as we need Jesus to breathe, walk or wake up in the morning, we need Him to experience prosperity in it's fullness, including material wealth.
But it goes without saying material wealth alone does not equate to true prosperity.
Mark 8:36, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?"
True prosperity focuses more on eternal values rather than temporary earthly riches. When Satan tempted Jesus with food, Jesus did not utterly deny His need for bread, but He simply highlighted the importance of the Word of God (spiritual food) above natural food.
Matthew 4:3-4 (WEB) "The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”
Many pulpits are turning stones into bread to draw crowds. Satan offers shortcuts that cut people short of the real blessing. He wants to be worshipped through money just the same way he wanted Jesus to worship him for wealth.
Matthew 4:8-10 (WEB) "Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me,Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”
On the other hand, God is looking for someone to bless with balanced prosperity in the spirit, mind, and body.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (WEB) "May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Every natural blessing is found in the spiritual. Once you pursue the spiritual you get everything. Solomon asked for the spiritual blessing of wisdom and was blessed wisdom for the spirit, honor for the mind, and riches for body.
2 Chronicles 1:11-12 (NIV) "God said to Solomon, 'Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.'"
Remembering God as the source of all blessings helps maintain a balanced view of prosperity. Shalom.
