Have you ever considered the True Purpose of Prosperity?
Many Christians view financial “prosperity” and “abundance” as downright evil, citing over and over again Jesus’s parable about the rich man and his camel as ample justification for their view.
I get that. I used to have a hard time with the concept of monetary wealth too.
Coming from a family committed to public service, I couldn’t embrace the idea of “making a profit while making a difference.” The two goals seemed to contradict each other — cancel each other out.
I opted instead for career choices such as “legal aid attorney,” “assistant county attorney,” and “assistant public defender,” turning down more lucrative positions as a private practitioner in a reputable law firm. How could I charge big bucks to help someone in need?
Thankfully, my views have changed somewhat else I wouldn’t still be in business.
Thankfully, I studied Scripture with an open mind and heart.
Thankfully, I came to realize that prosperity and abundance are synonymous with faith.
What do you think?
Is the True Purpose of Prosperity to Glorify God?
I honestly believe God wants our lives to be free from sickness, poverty, and despair. His desire is for each of us to live life abundantly, full of joy and grace and hope.
We live in a fallen world, however. For now anyway.
Listen to the news. Read the papers, blogs, and weekly magazines. Watch the History channel. Since the beginning of time, prosperity and abundance have seemed far from reach for most of mankind.
So what can it mean to glorify God through prosperity?
Prosperity encompasses financial wealth, yes, but mostly — in my opinion — prosperity is a state of mind, a state of heart, a state of grace.
To glorify God through prosperity is to give thanks to God regardless of our circumstances and to strive to live meaningful lives full of peace, purpose, and joy.
To glorify God through prosperity is to use the gifts God has given us (financial and otherwise) in a way that honors Him.
Is the True Purpose of Prosperity to Bless Others?
To prosper evokes happiness as the founders of the USA intended and used the word. In writing about the inalienable rights of man, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, et al. saw happiness as a mutual raising of the human mind and spirit while also in service to the human condition. In essence, to prosper is to be fully for oneself AND fully for others. ~Kevin McCarthy, “What Does It Mean To Prosper?“
God’s desire is to bless everyone. The more prosperous we become (financially and otherwise), the more God can use us to bless others.
Now that’s a concept I can be comfortable with!
Consider this example: Do you tithe?
I’m not exactly a mathematician, but even I realize that the more I earn the greater my 10% (or 90%) can be. The more I earn, the more I can donate to my church, my community, my favorite charities.
And that makes me happy!!!
Is the True Purpose of Prosperity to Bless Ourselves?
I believe that if we pursue monetary riches, said riches may very well elude us or leave us feeling emptier than before.
I believe that if our heart’s desire is to live richly, however, we will be blessed financially and otherwise as children of the King.
“I do not seek prosperity. I seek God’s will in my life, and prosperity finds me. True prosperity.” ~James Robison, True Prosperity, © 2004, Life Outreach International.
What does “True Purpose of Prosperity” mean for you?
Can you be prosperous yet still be true to your faith?
Do you think prosperity and faith contradict each other?
If living an abundant and prosperous life is important to you, I invite you to join Beth Scanzani and me in our small group coaching program True Prosperity.
Click Here to learn more.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please share them in the Comment Box below.
Warmly,
Photo by Flickr (ElDave)
Hi Jory,
Good stuff. I thought for sure you would dispose the classic John 10:10 where Jesus says,
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
This fullness of life Jesus references is the prosperity so you aptly describe in your post. Thanks for inviting us all to live at the intersection of faith and prosperity.
Be On-Purpose!
Kevin
Thank you, Kevin!!! Hey–I’ve gotta leave something for my readers to contribute, right? lol
May we experience Heaven on Earth — at least partially if not fully — right now.
Bless you!
Jory
Hi Jory!
Great post. If my comments are too long just delete it because this is a subject that gets me all fired up!
To answer the question of your post, Yes! Unequivocally yes. We are blessed to be a Blessing.
What most folks don’t understand, in my opinion, is this prosperity that you are talking about is not something we have to work for. Everything that pertains to life and living a Godly life was already provided for us by Jesus act of sacrifice on the Cross.
We live under Grace now. We are not under the law. You mentioned the tithe. So many pastors and preachers refer to Malachi 3 when talking about the tithe.
They usually use this chapter to beat up their congregation and guilt them into tithing or worse, get them into fear because if they don’t tithe they will be cursed with a curse.
My bible says that I have been redeemed from the curse of the law. That chapter was referring to people under the law. I’m not saying that we should not tithe, we should tithe but for the right reasons.
We tithe because we love the Lord Jesus, He is our High priest now. When Abraham returned from The Battle of the Kings the first thing he did was seek out Melchizedek, the High Priest of his time and gave to the Lord through Melchizedek 10% of all the spoils because of his love of God.
He knew where his Blessing came from. This was 400 years before the law. Also consider that seed, time and harvest will continue as long as the earth remains.
Anyway, when folks learn that all they need to do to be prosperous is to depend on Jesus, then they will start seeing prosperity. That does not mean that there won’t be battles but remember what the Word says “the battle is the Lords”.
A lot of Christians seem to be stuck. They are double-minded unknowingly. They are trying to live under the law partly and under Grace partly. The Word says this makes a man/woman unstable in ALL their ways.
Choose…live in one or the other. Grace imparts to the Believer the ability to go about their chosen career path with an amazing amount of wisdom and energy. Seek first the Kingdom of God….
They realize that no matter the mistakes they make, they have a Lord, Savior and Abba Father that will continue to urge them on to greater and greater accomplishments.
Prosperity is so much more than money. Study out the Greek word soteria. It defines our prosperity as no other word I’ve found except, Jesus. In all areas I’m prospering and all the credit goes to Jesus. His will not mine….
Pheww, a long rant, eh?
Frank
Rant on, bro! Seems to me you’re just getting started!!! We could wax poetic on the principle of tithing alone! (Don’t get Curt Johnson going on THAT subject! Oy!)
Frank, you express yourself beautifully. “Blessed to be a blessing” — wish I’d thought of that. Please come back often and bless us with your insights!
With respect and gratitude,
Jory
>>God’s desire is to bless everyone. The more prosperous we become (financially and otherwise), the more God can use us to bless others.
Amen! Unfortunately, some people have used “class warfare” political rhetoric to manipulate many into believing that prosperity is only gained by exploiting others and is only maintained by hoarding from others. Certainly some people are guilty of those tactics. But there are many amazing things that can only be done because God has blessed good people with the resources to make them happen.
Paul, I’m honored you would read and comment on my post. Thank you! I’m reminded of the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25. If we’ve been given much, let’s use those resources to make amazing things happen!
Come visit again, Paul. I appreciate your contribution.
Jory
Thank you for sharing, I do not always comment (newbie here)however greatly appreciate your posts! I enjoy your topics and inspiration.
Suzanne, you are so very, very welcome! It warms my heart that people are reading and appreciating my messages. Thank you so much for letting me know that you find value in them. I hope you will return often.
Jory, I can relate to your struggle as “assistant public defender” etc. I have had the same type of struggle.
This line stood out for me, Jory ” The more prosperous we become (financially and otherwise), the more God can use us to bless others.”
So true…
Thanks, Sigrid. We’ll have to talk about this sometime… It hasn’t been easy for me to make the switch from not-for-profit profit service to PROFIT service. I still have the tendency to offer too much for free. I’m learning though… slowly but surely. If we don’t watch the bottom line, we won’t stay in business very long, will we?
Amen, yes and great post!
I can relate. I grew up in a family heritage of teachers and ministry. Giving of our time to the community is extremely important. Making money was not really looked at as a good thing. After years of prayer and reading the Word I came to the realization that I could be a much bigger blessing to others if I used my skills and financials (talents) to grow prosperity for my family and community.
One of my happiest days in business was realizing how much bigger the checks were when tithing. The first check and every one since then has brought tears of joy knowing how much good the funds can support.
Prosperity is about so much more than money. Because my business does well, I can afford to spend multiple hours a day focusing on real interaction with my husband and son. I take days off throughout the summer just to play and interact with my son. I wouldn’t have the opportunity for that prosperity of life.
Stephanie, what a beautiful contribution you just made to this discussion. I’m honored you would take the time to read and comment on my site. Thank you! Your family is fortunate to have a Proverbs 31 woman tending to both home and business. Love it!
Come back soon.
Jory
In most of all Christendom this has been such a sticky point. For the longest, I believe “poverty = piety”. Blessed are the “poor” in spirit; be grateful for the lowly position of being poor; Jesus left the riches of heaven to become poor; the list goes on and on. So you grow up believing that to be wealthy is a heinous sin so if you simply just make it by and be grateful for what you have, you’re good. It wasn’t until I asked myself about wealthy Christians. Folks like Dave Ramsey, Truett Cathy, & David Green had me reconsidering my philosophy about wealth. They have thriving businesses yet are very vocal about their faith and their desire to give for the Glory of God. So after much thought, study of the scriptures I too came to the conclusion that through becoming all that we can become in our careers/callings, we’re able to give like no one else when we’re wise stewards of the blessings poured into our laps.
Hey Damien. Thank you for your thoughts. In the words of the great John Wesley, “Earn all you can, give all you can, save all you can” — IN THAT ORDER!
The Bible is replete with passages on prosperity and success.
Attitude and perspective are key.
Over and over again, we see the importance of having our hearts, minds, and strength focused on God — the Source of True Prosperity. Let’s keep an eternal perspective and be open to the Lord blessing us as He longs to do.
And may we be grateful in all circumstances.
Jory
Thank you very much reading your article lifted my spirit and has affected my concept of aboundance,God bless you imersely in Jesus name.