GOD’S KIND OF PROSPERITY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY MAY 17, 2021.

SUBJECT : GOD’S KIND OF PROSPERITY!

Memory verse: "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.” (Genesis 12 vs 2.)

READ: Second Corinthians 9 vs 8; Ephesians 4 vs 28:

Second Corinthians 9:8: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Ephesians 4:28: Let him that stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

INTIMATION:

God's kind of prosperity comes when you shift your focus from getting and maintaining stuff, to living to give. Most people think, "as soon as they meet their needs, they will toss a tip God's way, or other people’s way." As long as their needs get met first, then God and others can have the leftovers; that isn't seeking first the kingdom of God. The Lord says we should work so we will have money to bless other people—being blessed to be a blessing.

Many might be thinking, 'We're living in the world of constant struggles.' Out in the real world, you have to work to pay bills, life is all about working to get ahead. But God's plan for our financial freedom doesn't rely on the natural results of hard work. The Word of God teaches that when you put the kingdom of God first, then all your needs, including financial, will be taken care of. (Matthew 6 vs 33.) 

God's kind of prosperity results from faith—faith in God and His Word. It's a mind-set and a heart condition, not a get-rich-quick scheme. You ensure that you are obedient to God’s Word, especially those kingdom principles of prosperity. When you work so that you can get money to give—being blessed to be a blessing, the God takes care of you. However, prosperity is a by-product of seeking God; it shouldn't be the goal.

God wants you to have nice things, but your heart attitude should be that prosperity isn't about you—it's really about how much is flowing through you. God gave us two hands: one hand to receive, and one hand to give. If God can get the money through you to other people, then He will get it to you, and as the money flows through, there will be plenty left over for you. You are not supposed to live in poverty; it's just that your first priority should be helping, rather than trying to grab everything you can for yourself.

The reason God makes all financial blessings abound toward you is so that you'll have the resources to do good things for others, because true prosperity isn't defined by how nice your house is, or by what kind of car you drive. God evaluates prosperity by how much of a blessing you are to others. Though it is easy it is to say, but it's a lot harder to live. Many people hesitate to give generously, even to God, because they worry about having enough money left over to meet their own needs.

Of course, you have needs too, and God knows that. The natural inclination is to think, If I start taking care of everybody else, then who is going to take care of me? God will take care of you, and He'll do a better job than you will ever do yourself. He will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. It is noteworthy that every unit of money, in any currency, you have has the potential to influence a person's life for the better. 

The highest form of giving is to help share the Gospel. When you start helping the “Good News” to be shared, demonstrating the love of God in word and deed, there is a divine flow that takes place. God starts supernaturally supplying your needs. This is why Scripture tells us to give God the first fruits, not the leftover fruit. The first thing you should do when you get  money is give back to God. When you do that, God takes care of you incidentally than you have ever done through striving and grasping at your resources.

In one of the the passages we read today, the apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesians to think differently about the goal of work. He didn't tell them to labor so they could pay their bills and keep a roof over their heads. Nor did he tell them to labor so they could feed and clothe their children. He said, "work so you'll have money to give to those in need." He was echoing Jesus' teaching that the most important use of money is not satisfying your needs, but by satisfying other people's temporal needs, and touch people's lives as a demonstration of your love for God.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of being a blessing to others with the blessings You bestow upon me, and with the wisdom of putting my cares upon You because You care for me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!