Many Christians pray for financial prosperity. Their desire is that God would increase their finances, remove debt, and enlarge their physical possessions. These Christians are focused on “money”. However, prosperity is more than simply having a large bank account. God grants prosperity, financial abundance, directly in proportion to other factors. When asking God to prosper you, you should also ask God to help you to develop financial stewardship and a heart that understands that God is your source for everything.
Financial stewardship is your relationship with money, and an important principle to remember is that money is not the solution to your problems, God is. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” (1 Timothy 6:17). Christians who look to money in times of crises have actually made money an idle. God is not pleased with this. God can use wealth to help us, but we must understand that God is our deliverer. To set up your finances as an idle is to set up a false god in your life. Our faith must be in God. If we have money as an idle, our faith will not be directed towards God, we will have faith in our bank account. It is faith in God that moves mountains, faith in a false god moves nothing. Being a good steward of your finances also involves properly handling money.
Finances should be monitored, saved, invested, and shared for the glory of God’s kingdom. “Be though diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?” (Proverbs 27:23-24). Many Christians suffer financially because they do not keep track of their finances. The wise Christian knows how much money is coming in, and they are aware of how much is going out. “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest” (Proverbs 6:6-8). A fool will spend their money recklessly, but the wise make a habit of saving. A portion of what you receive should be saved. The impulse to buy things when you get a little extra money should be avoided. Put that extra cash away so that you will have an emergency fund to tap into. “Cast thy bread upon many waters: for thou shalt find it after many days” (Ecclesiastes 11:1). Investing is making your money work for you. It is wise to learn about investing before you attempt to do so, but investing is a way of multiplying your financial resources. And lastly, finances should be shared. “Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38). When we give for God’s glory, God will multiply your financial gift and return it to you. “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself” (Proverbs 11:24-25). As with all things, you must give with faith. The motivation for our giving should be love, but we should stand on God’s word and expect that God will bless us because of our giving. Although this is a supernatural issue, financial prosperity will often come through natural means.
There are examples in the Bible where God provided for his people supernaturally. This supernatural power is still available to us today, but we should understand that God often uses our gifts and talents to bless us. “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 8:18). This scripture does not say that God will give us wealth, it says that God will give us the power, or ability, to get wealth. The financially wise Christian seeks to know their God given gifts and talents. God will empower our gifts and talents and enable us to use them to obtain financial prosperity. Christians need to ask God to reveal to them what their gifts are so that we can begin to use them for God’s glory. When searching for a career, the issue is not about how much money you can make. A career should be chosen based on your gifts and talents. God should always be the object of our faith.
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). When a financial problem arises, look to God and not to your bank account. God may use your bank account, but he is your source. God blesses you from his abundance; to rely on your own resources is to set limitations for yourself. Look to God to provide for your needs, and then listen for his guidance. We must also understand the ultimate purpose of financial prosperity.
We use our resources for God’s kingdom. God does not bless us so that we can live a lavish lifestyle, he blesses us so that we can bless others. The wealthy Christian can help ministries to spread the gospel of our Lord around the word. Evangelism takes money. God expects us to help spread his kingdom by giving to those who are truly carrying out the Great Commission. God also desires that we bless others. The wealthy Christian is able to give to others so that financial burdens can be lifted. All Christians should give a portion of their wealth to help the poor. “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again” (Proverbs 19:17).
God will bless you when you are in position to be blessed. If God were to give you a great sum of money, it could destroy you if you could not handle it. God cannot give you something as a blessing if it would turn into a curse. A right relationship with money is a key ingredient of true prosperity. Financial blessings will be showered upon those who are equipped to manage great wealth.
Grace and Faith Ministries 