The bike was red and black. I saw the note pinned to the handlebars. The same person who had left the bike on
our back porch had left me a note: “The Lord wants you to have this bike. Because you gave, He has given to you.”
As a ten-year-old, I didn't know much about “faith and prosperity.” I'm not sure that I even connected the shiny
new bike to the missionary offering I had participated in so many months ago. As a family, we had attended a special
missions rally in another church. At the end of the service, the speaker asked us all to bow our heads. He prayed,
asking the Lord to speak to us about giving to worldwide evangelism through our foreign-missions program. I was
only ten and had saved some money toward a new bike.
Suddenly, I knew that I wanted to give that money to the Lord for missions. While everyone else was praying,
I asked my dad if I could. He quizzed me a little and decided to permit it. I'm so glad he did! Dad put the money
into my hand so I could place it in the offering. As the plate passed, I added my offering to what others had given.
It just seemed to be the right thing to do. I suppose others might have thought of it as a sacrifice. As a ten-year-old,
I wasn't thinking so much of giving up my bike. Instead, I was thinking more of the thrill of hearing the Lord
speak to me. It was the first time I had ever heard thoughts that were different enough from my own thought patterns
to be arresting—to prompt the personal response I'd made.
No one had to explain it to me. I knew God wasn't ordering me to give—He was asking me to give.
Somehow, I knew it was my money, my choice—to give or not to give.
Since then, the lessons of faith and the way they relate to God's promises to prosper His children, have been
a valuable part of my life. I wish I could say that I've always been as responsive as I was as a ten-year-old!
As I have grown older, the lessons of generosity have had to be relearned a number of times!
Let's join in this lesson to review what the Bible actually teaches about prosperity. Some promises of blessing
appear to have little restriction. Others are very focused, with definite parameters. But above all, you will discover
that we serve a generous God! It is in His very character to be liberal with His children. You will also discover
that the conditions for blessing and prosperity almost always lead the believer down the pathway of relationships.
In other words, though you will study rich principles of prosperity, you'll find that God is not interested in
making anyone wealthy for the sake of mere wealth.
To secure a healthy perspective on this sometimes distorted subject of faith and prosperity, let's establish
three things for a starting place.
Conditions for Prosperity
1. Prosperity is always linked to purpose. God intends for us to be instruments of resource. Read Philippians
4:19: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” When reading this
promise in its context, the connection between the Philippians's responsible actions of giving and the purpose
of God's blessing is clear. They had given to Paul, and now God was rewarding them. But He was rewarding them so
they could continue to be a resource for God's kingdom agenda.
2. Blessing is always connected to issues of character, God's and yours. Read Philippians 4:11–13. Almost
in the same breath as Paul conveys the promise of blessings to those who have given, he is also administering the
lessons of contentment. Prosperity is never promised as a medicine for discontent. Paul's confession is
simple: I am content with or without. Possessions or prosperity are never to determine our contentment. This character
issue is resolved by what one possesses on the inside, not on the outside. It is in the midst of this point that
Paul makes this famous statement, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” It is clear from
the context that this strength from the Lord Jesus of which Paul boasts has to do with contentment in spite of
the presence or absence of abundance!
3. Success has more to do with God's agenda than with our desires. It is never wrong for
us to present our petitions—our desires—before the Lord. It is wrong to make our desires a condition of
our relationship. God wants to bless us, to grant us good success in every area of our lives. But we will discover
that those blessings come more quickly to those who are committed to God's agenda for their life.
The Bible contains both promises for prosperity and warnings about prosperity! Why? Because the
Lord knows our hearts. Fallen man—even the Lord's redeemed—is easily trapped into patterns of thought regarding
prosperity that lean toward greed and avarice. The Lord intends prosperity to be a blessing, not a curse. But when
greed is the motive, when prosperity becomes the condition upon which our faith is based, then our faith becomes
misdirected. Suddenly, we are trusting Him for things, instead of simply trusting Him in all things.
And that's when prosperity becomes a curse!
Word Wealth
Prosper, 3 John 2—“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your
soul prospers.” This word, euodoo (Strong's #2137; yoo-od-o-o) comes from the Greek words
for “good” and “road.” Thus it denotes success in reaching a goal, as in travel or in business.
Write out your thoughts on Third John 2.
John makes sure that the concept of prosperity is holistic. He ties together the condition of the inner person
to the outer affairs of life. It would be unthinkable in his view to pray that you would get where you're going
without being right on the inside. This prayer might be rephrased, “I pray that you will get where you want to
go on the outside as long as you are getting where God wants you to go on the inside!”
Word Wealth
Joshua 1:8—“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 will make your way prosperous,
and then you will have good success.” Prosperous, tsalach, (Strong's #6743; tsaw-lakh);
to push forward, in various senses; to break out, go over, be profitable.
In the light of the Hebrew meaning of “prosperous,” elaborate on Joshua 1:8, writing out your thoughts as to
how this promise may apply to you.
These words spoken to Joshua as he was about to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land underline
the importance of God's Word in matters of faith and prosperity. Tsalach (prosperous) also carries the connotation
of force. In fact, this word is often associated in the Old Testament with the coming upon a person of the Spirit
of the Lord (see Judges 14:6 and 19 regarding Samson). In order for the new land to be occupied, there would have
to be a breaking forth of God's power to assist Joshua. The word sometimes translated “prosper” is also used to
describe how the Lord came mightily upon Samson during several of his mighty deeds of strength. It is as though
the Lord were saying to Joshua, “I will come upon you and this people mightily for the taking of this Land, if
… Then, immediately following, this display of power associated with prosperity was conditioned upon speaking,
meditating, and observing God's Law or the Word of the Lord.
It is no less true today. God's power flows fully through the lives of those who are willing to heed the Lords
Word, to fill their minds with the Lord's Word, to give their lives to obey the Lord's Word.
Prosperity Depends on Faith
Can you see the connection between the conditions for prosperity and faith? Does it make sense to you that not
one of these conditions is possible without faith? Without faith could Joshua speak the Lord's Word in the face
of all the obstacles he would encounter as he led Israel into the Promised Land? Wouldn't it take a living faith
to fill your mind with God's Word instead of letting your mind be filled with the challenges of the conquest? This
was why God repeatedly said to Joshua, “Be of good courage” (see Joshua 1:6, 7, 9).
How crucial bold faith is as we attempt to obey the Lord's Word! Try walking around Jericho seven times without
faith! Try crossing the Jordan by asking the priests to enter the waters without faith. Read these stories in the
first chapters of Joshua, and you will agree it was Joshua's faith, emboldened by God's promise of “breakthrough”
prosperity, that triumphed. And how? By feeding on, thinking on, and speaking constantly … God's Word of truth!
It is faith, in these expressions of speech, thought, and action, centered in God's Word, that become the basis
for God-given prosperity. Remember the definition of the word: prosperity—getting to a desired place. The idea
focuses less on material abundance than it does on successful ventures. Godly prosperity is the heavenly provision
which makes it possible for us to advance successfully on our assigned journey or task to be accomplished in His
will.
With these thoughts, let's also remember how the concept of force is associated with prosperity that is a display
of God's power and authority, never originating from human strength. I emphasize here: there will be resistance
to your realizing God's prosperity. But God's power can overcome it and enable you to “get where God wants you
to go!”
Write out your own thoughts as you study these verses dealing with the concepts of prosperity. Use a concordance
to see what word is being translated as “prosperity,” “prosperous,” or “blessing.” If there is an obvious condition
which must be met in order for the promised prosperity to ensue, make a note of it.
1) Deuteronomy 29:9
Your thoughts:
Condition for prosperity:
Question: If the condition is met, is there any restriction on what might be prospered?
2) 1 Kings 2:3
Your thoughts:
Condition for prosperity:
Question: What language in the latter part of this verse promises Solomon success without restriction as long as
the conditions are met?
3) 2 Chronicles 20:20–22
Your thoughts:
Condition for prosperity:
Question: Since this promise for prosperity comes in the context of a battle, what did Judah do that made success
possible?
4) 2 Chronicles 24:20
Your thoughts:
Condition for prosperity:
Question: From the latter part of this verse, when does the Lord forsake His covenant people?
5) 2 Chronicles 26:5
Your thoughts:
Condition for prosperity:
Question: Apparently, Uzziah had help in seeking the Lord. Who was his helper?
6) Psalm 1:1–3
Your thoughts:
Condition for prosperity:
Kingdom Extra
“Whatever he does shall prosper” (Ps. 1:3). This includes everything: your family, your children, your marriage,
your business, your ministry, your job, and your health. It means God intends what He says: everything shall
prosper.
However, no promise of God is without responsible action to be taken on our part. No one will prosper until
he starts doing what God says. Many people want the promised results without responsible commitment, but none of
us will ever gain anything truly worthwhile in just an instant.
The truly worthwhile takes time to develop. Do not expect God's answers to leap to your schedule. Remember,
His answers occur when you first put His Word into action. Just as a period of intensive study precedes a college
degree, so through patient pursuit of His promise may we wait for the word of God to mature in our lives. [Spirit-Filled
Life Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991), “Kingdom Dynamics: Ps. 1:1–3, Responsible Commitment
in God's Prosperity Plan,” 754.]
7) Proverbs 28:13
Your thoughts:
Condition for prosperity:
Question: Since the meaning of the word “prosper” here is to be able to push forward, the confession of personal
sin is the act which removes the obstacles that restrict forward progress. From 1 John 1:9, what does God do when
you confess your sin?
8) Isaiah 55:11
Your thoughts:
Condition for prosperity:
Kingdom Extra
The editor of this study series, Dr. Jack W. Hayford, has commented on Isaiah 55:4 with these words: “Evangelism
(the spreading of the Good News) and expansion (the enlarging of life's potential under God) both multiply by the
‘seed’ of God's Word. Jesus described the Word as ‘seed’ also (Luke 8:11), the source of all saving life and growth
possibilities transmitted from the Father to mankind. All increase of life within His love comes by His Word, as
human response gives place for His blessing. When received, God's word of promise will never be barren. The power
in His Word will always fulfill the promise of His Word. We never need wonder how faith is developed or how fruitfulness
is realized. Faith comes by ‘hearing’ God's Word (Rom. 10:17), that is, by receiving it wholeheartedly and humbly.
Fruitfulness is the guaranteed by-product—whether for the salvation of a lost soul or the provision of a disciple's
need—God's Word cannot be barren or fruitless: His own life-power is within it! [Ibid., 1036, “Kingdom Dynamics:
Is. 55:10, 11, God's Word, Evangelism, and Expansion.”]
9) Psalms 68:6
Your thoughts:
Condition for prosperity:
Question: If the Father is promising prosperity to His children, what will happen to the rebellious?
10) Proverbs 10:22
Your thoughts:
Condition for prosperity:
Word Wealth
Sorrow (Strong's #6087), may have any of several different meanings: an earthen vessel; usually
(painful) toil; also a pang (whether of body or mind): grievous, idol, labor, sorrow. When our blessing comes as
a result of trusting in God, the blessing is free from the grief, labor, and sorrow that is associated with prosperity
gotten solely from human endeavor. Most importantly, His blessing ensures that the prosperity will not become an
idol! When God's people prosper because they walk in His ways, their heart's worship remains focused on the Provider,
not the provision.
11) Malachi 3:10
Before your comments and analysis, first examine the two following paragraphs which give insight into this text.
Word Wealth
Room enough, day, (Strong's #1767; dye). Sufficient, enough, a large enough quantity, plenty,
measureless. Day occurs about forty times in the Old Testament. Its first reference is in Exodus 36:5, which
concerns a freewill offering of gold and other materials; the people gave so lavishly that the Scripture describes
their gifts as much more than enough. Day appears in the title of the famous Passover song of thanks entitled
dayenu, meaning, “it would be enough for us.” Each verse lists a favor that God did for Israel at the Exodus,
and concludes that, had He only done that much and no more, it would have been enough. [Ibid., 1387, “Word Wealth:
Mal. 3:10, Room Enough.”]
Kingdom Extra
Many people are handicapped by their own poverty, and too often their poverty is caused by their own disobedience
to the Word. There are many ways in which people are disobedient; one way is in robbing God! This passage clearly
tells us that those who withhold their tithes and offerings are robbing God. As a consequence, they are robbing
themselves of the blessings that God wants to bestow upon them. You see, when you do not tithe, you are breaking
the law; and if you are breaking the law, then the benevolent law of God cannot work on your behalf.
Nothing will keep a wise believer from tithing and giving, but he or she will never be found to tithe or give
offerings just to get something in return. Rather, the act rises from obedience, and God always rewards
obedience! [Ibid., 1387, “Kingdom Dynamics: Mal. 3:8–10, God's Prosperity Plan Includes Tithing.”]
Now, comment on Malachi 3:10, with the preceding texts in mind.
Your thoughts:
Condition for prosperity:
Other Conditions of Prosperity
To conclude our study of prosperity and faith in a solid, biblical order, let us consider these three issues:
Resource, Relativity, and Dependence
Resource. Prosperity can happen only when God alone becomes the believer's resource. Only then
is it possible for us to avoid the poverty traps. The bank is not our resource; the government is not our resource;
your monthly paycheck is not your resource. Most of the spiritual tests brought to the disciple's life focus on
this key issue. Learning to look beyond the circumstances—to trust wholly in the One Who has promised to be your
resource—is critical.
Read Philippians 1:19. Paul was writing from prison. Even though his circumstances were foreboding, he was confident
that he would be better when this was over. On what was this confidence based? He knew that the believers in Philippi
were praying for him. And he had immense confidence in the supply of the Spirit. This is what it means to
see God alone as your resource.
Word Wealth
Supply, epichoregia (Strong's #2024; ep-ee-khor-ayg-ee-ah). We get our word “choreographer”
from this Greek word here translated, “supply.” In modern times, a choreographer arranges a dance production, outlining
the moves and steps of the dancers and performers on stage. In Paul's time, a choreographer was more like a modern
producer. The ancient choreographer paid all the bills and made it possible for the show to go on! That's what
Paul was saying. “I'm going to be saved out of this,” or, “when this is all over, I'll be even a better believer
than I am now!” Why? Because you're praying for me, and the Spirit is paying all the bills!
Paying the bills should be familiar to all of us. There are times when our personal resources, whether financial
or emotional, are simply not enough to cover the bills. Paul recognized that his heavenly “Choreographer”—the One
who is producing his life's events—will make sure that all the bills are paid.
Relativity. God will always bless exceeding abundantly beyond what we have thought or asked (Eph.
3:20). God's blessing is always linked to His purpose, and is also always connected in some way to the cultural
norm in which his child finds himself or herself. The word “exceeding” is not the same word as excessive. In other
words, “abundance,” “blessing,” or “supply” will always be relative to the culture. Let me illustrate.
God will not give a Rolls-Royce car to the rural Kenyan who has never seen a gas station. God will not give
a million dollars to someone in a bartering culture. Yet, in every culture, His generosity will exceed our
definitions, and even our needs; just as when Jesus fed the multitude with the little boy's lunch; there were enough
baskets of food left over to feed all the disciples. Having leftovers was certainly more than they expected, but
it wasn't enough to start a supermarket specializing in fish and bread! Let us expect and contend for God's blessings
upon our lives. Know that His generosity will exceed our norms, and yet not lead us to violate the cultural norms
with ostentation or lavish display. His blessing is designed to focus people on the Blesser, not on the blessing.
Dependence. Biblical prosperity is impossible without learning to depend totally upon God, and unlearning
the skills of depending on self, or on blessings already received. Read Psalm 30, the song David sings at the
dedication of his house. In it, you will hear David confess that at one point he began to place his confidence
in the prosperity the Lord had given him. This is far different from placing confidence in the One who gives the
blessing.
“In my prosperity I said, ‘I shall never be moved’” (Ps. 30:6). However, in the next phrasing you hear David
saying that it is God who has made his mountain stand strong. Later in the Psalm, David speaks of his mourning
turning to dancing. David was so blessed that, for a time, he placed his confidence in his wealth, his lands, his
prosperity. (Though in another study we see that David's gross sin with Bathsheba took place during a time of unparalleled
blessing.) But he later learned better.
Let David's life speak this important lesson into your life: when God has prospered you, it becomes even more
urgent to lean totally upon Him. When you have prospered in your ways, it is possible for you to fall back into
dependence on your prosperity, instead of continuing to look to the One Who has been the source of that prosperity.
Read Exodus 33:15. When it appears as though Moses might have a choice between entering the Promised Land with
or without the Lord, Moses says, “If your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.”
This choice of Moses stands as a beacon for every believer who learns the ways of a generous Lord. Be committed
to His ways of blessing. Never choose the blessing over the Blesser!
Faith Alive
You have read many, though not all, of the promises God's Word contains regarding prosperity. Write out a prayer
which you can pray with confidence, asking God for resources to help you reach where you know He wants you to go
in this season of your life.
From Power Faith: Balancing Faith in Words and Works by Roy Hicks, JR. with Jack W. Hayford. Copyright 1994 by Jack W. Hayford.
