True prosperity or the "gospel (good news) of prosperity" is very much different from the deceptive "Prosperity gospel" that most of us have heard. I intend to post a message on "Prosperity gospel" at a later date. But, let us first look at the meaning of true prosperity provided by God.
Although the pairs of words like "rich and riches", "wealth and wealthy", "proper and prosperity" and "abundant and abundance" are often mentioned in the Bible, prosperity and abundance are often emphasized.
To the people of the world, someone who has considerable financial and material assets is considered rich and wealthy. But, christians must only look at "abundance and prosperity" under the light of the Scripture. The promises and provisions of God for His covenant people are - to be prosperous in all areas of their live, having abundance and having no want or lack at any time.
John wrote to Gaius, a brother in the Faith, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth (3 John 1,2, NKJV, emphasis added).
Notice that, the three promises, prosper in all things, good health and prosper of the soul are provided for christians who walk in the truth. People of the world may be rich, wealthy and possess great financial and material assets, but not many of them have good health in body, soul and spirit.
I believe, true abundance really means we have all that we need, and have something to spare to give to others.
Paul said, "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have abundance for every good work" (2 Cor. 9:8, NKJV, emphasis added).
The word "all" appears 3 time. When God gives, He gives all and never in parts. God know every good work needs money or other resources to accomplish, and He provides abundantly for His purpose.
But, there are conditions attached to most of God's promises of prosperity.
As an example, let us consider what David, the psalmist said:
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want .... " (Psalm 23:1, NKJV). Some translations say, "I shall not lack nothing".
To lack nothing actually means being prosperous. So, the condition for prosperity is to make the Lord our shepherd.
Jesus, the good Shepherd said:
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27).
The above verse is very precise and very practical. He wants His people to hear His voice and to do what he says. A person who does not hear the Lord's voice and obey Him is not a christian - he is not His sheep.
Therefore, on the basis of the Scripture (Psalm 23) a true christian will lack nothing. It follows that every christian should be prosperous!
There are other conditions. The psalmist said:
"Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing" (Psalm 34:9,10. emphasis added).
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory, no good thing will He withhold from those who walk unrightly" (Psal 84:11, emphasis added).
When we consider the above verses of Scripture we see 3 other conditions for prosperity.
1. Fear the Lord.
2. Seek the Lord.
3. Walk uprighty.
There is a parallel truth seen in the ministry of Joshua and the ministry of Jesus. Joshua was chosen by God to bring Israel to the promised land. On the other hand, Jesus, the Son of God, brings christians to the land of promises.
God said to Joshua:
"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful" (Joshua 1:8, NIV, emphasis added).
The three conditions for Israel to fulfill are:
1. Do not let the Book of the Law depart from the mouth.
2. Meditate on the Law of God day and night.
3. Do what is required written in the Law of God.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians:
"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God" (2 Cor. 1:20, NIV, emphasis added).
In other words, all the promises of God , both in the Old Testament and the New Testament are for those in Christ. That means all true believers are included! If you are not "in Christ" then you are not a christian. It is the will and glory of God if christians believe and receive the promises of God. We give God the glory if we say "Amen" to His promises.
I believe the promises of God is the expression of what He wants to do for us. The fulfillment of God's promises does not depend on our situation (eg Israel in the wilderness), but depends on us meeting His conditions. God is the only sourse of riches and wealth.
Moses said, "But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so cofirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today" (Deu. 8:18, NIV, emphasis added).
David prayed to God, "Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things" (1 Chro. 29:12, NIV, emphasis added).
Deuteronomy 28 gives the conditions for receiving all the blessings of God - including overall prosperity.
The conditions are - God's people must fully obey the Lord their God and carefully follow all His commands. (Verse 1).
Moses said, "Therefore keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do" (Deu.29:9, NKJV, emphasis added).
For christians, "the words of the convenant" includes all words and commands of Christ.
The key to properity - prosper in all that we do, is to know and fear God and be "doer and hearer of His Word" (James 1:22, 23). Any christian who compromises the truth of God's Word cannot claim to be doer of His Word!
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