Prosperity

Beloved I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.  ~  III John 2

So, why all the fuss about prosperity?  It seems to me that this verse, plus many others, are very plain about the fact that God wants us to prosper?  I think the problem lies in four different areas.  First, some think that money is evil.  The Bible never says that money is evil, it says that the love of  money is the root of all evil.  Money has no personality of its own, it only takes on the personality of the person who has it.  So, if that person is evil then money will be used for evil purposes.

Second, some think that God is not interested in money.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  The Scriptures have an abundance of good things to say about wealth and God’s desire to bless the righteous with it.  Third, the way prosperity is perceived.  When some hear those of us that preach about prosperity they immediately think we’re teaching that all of God’s children can live this lavish lifestyle of the rich and famous.  That’s not Bible prosperity.  Bible prosperity is a lifestyle where we can have all sufficiency and be able to abound to every good work (I Cor. 9:8).  God wants us to have more than enough.

Fourth, the way the prosperity message has been presented by some has turned many off to it.  Some do preach and present it as the lifestyle of the rich and famous.  Those who preach and live prosperity our of balance with God’s Word usually end up in trouble and give the message of prosperity a black eye.  However, when left in proper balance with the Scriptures it seems clear to me that God does want us to prosper!

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of Host.  And all the nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land.                     ~   Malachi 3:11,12

God is very much interested in your finances.  He wants to multiply and protect them.  But He won’t be able to do so unless you open the door for Him to do it.  How?  Through tithing to your local church!  When you tithe you give God the legal right to intervene in your financial affairs.  You give Him the right to defend you against any financial destruction the devil might try to bring.  Tithing causes you to lay a foundation for success and abundance.  Tithing is an insurance plan against the devourer. 

A friend of mine, when he was first beginning to walk with the Lord was having a problem with tithing off of his gross income.  He decided he would tithe off the net, even though the Word of God tells us to bring the first fruits of all our increase.  He tithed off of the net for two weeks and each week his car had problems that cost him the same amount as the difference between tithing off of the gross and tithing off of the net.  Needless to say, he learned a lesson — tithe off of the gross!  Now, God didn’t tear his car up, it was the devourer. 

Don’t wait until your back is up against the wall to start tithing.  Begin now.  Start developing your faith in the blessings God’s Word promises you as a tither.  Learn to act on the Word when it comes to tithing.  When satan tries to take advantage of you in the financial area, stand your ground and proclaim what is written.  Be like Jesus when satan tempted Him in the wilderness…  say, “it is written.”  When you do this you’re going to come out on the other side with sweet victory!

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  ~  Malachi 3:10

This verse is taken out of a passage in the book of Malachi in which God is talking to Israel about tithing. The interesting thing is that in this particular passage God refers to Himself four times as “The LORD of hosts.” He is using one of His covenant names to reveal Himself. The LORD of hosts refers to God being the Lord over the hosts of angels. God was revealing to Israel that if they would tithe right, He would be the LORD of hosts to them. In other words, the one who tithes has the promise of angels getting involved in his or her finances. This is a wonderful promise!