WHY SHOULD YOU PROSPER?

Financial prosperity is a subject that never fails to light a fire in people. To many people, money is dirty business. They've seen it tied up so often with carnality and corruption that they just can't believe that God would ever give them any more than they absolutely need.

Think for a moment - What is God's reason for prospering His people?

Is it so that we can buy finer houses, or other luxurious things? This may be so for most people, because their ideas about money have been shaped by a world that pursues it strictly for purposes of selfishness and greed. But, the Lord provides us with two entirely different purposes for prosperity.

The first one is found in Deuteronomy 8:18, which says, "But you shall remember the Lord your God: for it is He that gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant..."

God's second purpose for prosperity is found in Ephesians 4:28, "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs."

Establishing God's covenant on the earth and giving to those in need!

These are God's purposes for prosperity! Take a look at Jesus. His ministry was extremely prosperous! He had so much money coming in and going out that He had to appoint a treasurer. That's what Judas was for. But Jesus didn't store up that money for Himself. He gave it to meet the needs of those around Him. He had such a reputation for giving that on the night of the last Passover, when Judas left so abruptly, the disciples assumed that He had sent him out to give to the poor. 

Jesus never built a worldly empire for Himself. But that doesn't mean He was poor. It means He was the greatest giver who ever walked the face of the earth - and it's time we started following His footsteps.

Philippians 4:19 says,

"...my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Considering 'need,' does that mean only your personal needs? No! That includes more than that. You need money to help preach the gospel and give to those in need. When God starts adding things to you, He won't do it like some old miser, putting rags on your back and beans on your table. He'll even clothe you better than Solomon if you have faith enough to let Him! That's the way God is and He can afford it. Our God is a rich God!

So don't worry about your needs!

Instead, raise your vision and set your mind on giving to meet someone else's, to establish God's covenant in the earth. Then stand fast in faith and get ready to enjoy the greater blessings of God!