Prosperity is a common aspiration of every human being. No matter who you are or what you do for a living, the quest for prosperity is at the heartbeat of every man and woman. But what does it mean to prosper? Is it to have money to the extent that you can buy anything you want? Or is it to own numerous expensive properties in major cities of the world? What exactly is true prosperity?
The Lord Jesus told a story about a rich man whose land produced good crops. And he thought, ‘What should I do? I don’t have enough room to store my crops.’ He said, ‘I know what I’ll do. I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones so that I can store all my grain and goods in them. Then I’ll say to myself, “You’ve stored up a lot of good things for years to come. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”‘ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! I will demand your life from you tonight! Now who will get what you’ve accumulated?’ Then Jesus continued “That’s how it is when a person has material riches but is not rich in his relationship with God.” (Luke 12:16-21GW).
It is very clear from this short story that true prosperity is not richness in material things but in our relationship with God. Your life is more precious than whatever material you may have. God could not find anything worthy of redemption of man in the entire world that He have to send His only begotten Son, Jesus to die. God did not redeem man to be rich; He redeemed man to return in fellowship to Him. When God wanted to set the children of Israel free from captivity, His instruction to Pharaoh is “Let my people go, that they may serve me.”(Exodus 7,8,9). You are created to serve God and He longs for nothing other than that. God is calling you to forsake the world and its lust and embrace His love.
But you may want to ask me, is it a sin to have money and other material things in life? My sincere answer is NO. It is God’s desire that you have all that you need in this life and many more to share with the poor. But God does not have pleasure in those who live their entire life in pursuit of such things. Jesus said, “Don’t ever worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ Everyone is concerned about these things, and your heavenly Father certainly knows you need all of them. But first, be concerned about His kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.”(Mathew 6:31-33GW) When you put God’s interest first, He will add material prosperity to your life.
Don’t close this page without making a firm decision to enter into an unbroken relationship with God. It doesn’t matter how far you have lusted away from Him, even if today is your first day of hearing about Jesus. He will accept you as you call upon Him in faith. Commit yourself to God as you bow your heart to Him right now. Ask Him to come into your heart and forgive and wash away your sins with His blood. Promise Him that you will follow Him from today and ask Him to shower His mercy on you.
If you just prayed along, I encourage you to begin a journey of unbroken fellowship with God by spending quality time every day studying and meditating on the word of God (the Bible). Spend time praising and praying to God and locate a Bible-based church where you will fellowship with other children of God. I welcome you to the realm of TRUE PROSPERITY. Shalom.