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!