The Road to Prosperity

Our God is certainly a miracle working God. This is one fact that all Christians should treasure. Here is one area where I believe prosperity and faith preachers and teachers have done us a service. Many have been greatly inspired by their stories and exhortations to believe in our God with Whom all things are possible! Ordinary believers can generally use a measure of encouragement to live in the anticipation and expectation of greater things to come in God. However discouraging your present circumstances may be, this kind of faith can lift you up in the present, and move you forward toward brighter days.

This kind of encouragement is found throughout the pages of Scripture. Consider these words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:7: (Love)” bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

If we take issue with any particular teachings that come from the lips of a popular televangelist, we should never criticize him or her for lifting our spirits with optimistic words like these from the pages of Scripture.

The greatest miracle of all is of course the New Birth, wherein a hopeless sinner becomes a saint, a child of the Living God, by the wonderful grace of God! That newly born child of God is immediately translated into a higher station of life — as a member of the most Royal Family of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!

With proper leadership, teaching and guidance, the new-born Christian will normally be set on the road to prosperity in not only the spiritual dimension of life but also in the emotional, social, physical, and financial as well. This has been my personal experience, and that of countless thousands of others.

Those of us who have come from lower income families take great comfort from the words of Jesus and also of James, “Hear my brothers, has God not chosen the poor in this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which He has promised to them that love Him?” (James 2:5). And yet, that inner transformation which made us rich in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17), has also contributed to changes in our outward circumstances. Our improved mental and emotional state transforms our attitudes and outlook which in turn affect our relationships, our work habits, even our physical health. It is easy to see how all these changes can work in a very practical way to help us to better deal with our problems.

What I am saying here is that real, genuine spiritual growth results in your becoming a better and wiser parent, child, worker, student, citizen, and manager of your finances and your health. This process has much more to do with our prosperity than a simple “positive confession.” That positive confession, as taught by many prosperity preachers must correspond with true and steady growth in the Grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What I am also pleading is that we should never measure our spiritual progress by our material circumstances, as some would suggest. Godliness is not a means of financial gain! The greater gain is in godly contentment with the normal and necessary provision of food, clothing and shelter. Better and safer it is to flee the love of money, which has led many away from the faith! (1 Timothy 6:5-11).

How poor are those who store up material wealth only, and how rich are those plain and simple folks who have found their infinite treasure in Christ! (Luke 12:20-21, 18:22).

“And do not seek what you shall eat, and what you shall drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek for His kingdom, and these things shall be added to you.”

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys.”

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
(Luke 12:29-34 NAS)

In I Thessalonians 5:19-21 we read: “Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.” (NASV)

What we have been doing in this discussion is examining a current teaching that is widely proclaimed in the Christian media today. The general consensus of those teaching the so called “Prosperity Gospel” is that it is always God’s will for His children to be physically healthy and financially prosperous.

A key scripture for this is found in III John 1:2:

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (KJV)

Initially, it would be easy to see this statement as the apostle John’s basic wish (some translations use “prayer”) for the general welfare of the people for whom this letter was intended. It could even be understood as a general greeting, as we would wish someone “good morning,” or “good day.” Even though, as I wrote previously, that Christ has demonstrated a clear concern for our physical well-being, I think it would be a stretch to insist this is a rock solid promise in Scripture.

The New King James Version tones it down considerably:

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

A simple rewording changes “wish above all things,” to “prosper in all things.” The emphasis according to modern scholars has shifted significantly. We know from other scriptures that our personal holiness is more greatly desired by God than our material wealth and even our physical health. God’s view of prospering in all things might actually look quite different from that of some modern people!

Anyone who has read the writings on this site and the printed literature going back 2 decades should realize that we have always encouraged faith in the power and love of our Generous God and Savior. We believe that too often the people of God have lived beneath their priviledges as sons and daughters of God. We stand with those praying and believing for deliverance from all manner of bondages. We have personally witnessed and experienced salvation not only from sin, but also from bad habits and addictions, poverty, depression, and incurable diseases — all by the power of God!

At the same time, we stand with John here when he follows his wish for their health and prosperity:

” For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (III John 3:3-4 NKJV)

This is our greatest joy as well!

From the earliest days recorded in Genesis, to the New Testament times, right up until the present, believers have always understood that God hears and answers prayer. James writes, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” (James 5:16 NASB).

While it may be that the intensity and frequency of miracles was greater in the time of Jesus and His apostles, I see no reason to assume that the days of miracles are now over. In fact, I have witnessed a number of miracles and supernatural healings myself. According to the Gospel writers, Jesus greatly desired to see faith in His followers to accomplish great miracles in His name!

While the main concern of Jesus was for the condition of our hearts towards God and one another, He also showed great compassion for those suffering the affects of physical illnesses. He cared about their need for food, shelter and clothing as well. His solution was to “seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33).

At the same time, He warned that having too many things could hinder one from entering the Kingdom of God!

It seems to me that at one extreme we have a position that we should not hope for blessings in this life, and the other that we should make physical blessings, even material wealth a priority.

Why then would Paul the apostle claim that his earthly surroundings made no difference to him?

“…I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me.” ( Phillipians 4:11-13 NASB).

Freedom and victorious living is a reality for the Christian, and this is exactly what we see here in the life of Paul!