Prosperity means many things to just as many people. For some prosperity is limited to the amount of money you have, for others it takes into account the quality of health, relationships and the ability to maintain a particular lifestyle.
However, and here’s the thing, many Christians are actually reluctant to add monetary wealth to our list of what prosperity means, partly because of what is often taught about money. We are often taught that money is a bad thing and that God will frown upon you if you prosper monetarily. In reality, money has no value except that which is assigned to it by one’s culture.
We each have to find our own truth about prosperity and wealth based on our religious teachings. However, from many of the verses in the Bible, it appears that God would like us to be able to take care of our families and to be able to honor him with tithes. Neither can be done without faith in Him and without prospering in our businesses or our careers.
The one thing we should not have is limiting beliefs about the success you can have in your business. The consequence of success is usually wealth. Further, your business is a reflection of some portion of your talent. We know that our talents should not be squandered or ignored.
Consider that when you have a fear of becoming wealthy, you just might subconsciously sabotage your business. This is because the more successful you are, you are bound to make money. With limiting beliefs, you limit how successful your business will be so that you don’t make money. In turn, you may limit how much you can bless others because you don’t believe it is good to be wealthy or that being wealthy will somehow interfere with Christian beliefs.
Deuteronomy 8:18, 19 says, “And thou say in thine heart, Mine power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth, But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish his covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”
There are many other verses that point to God’s intention for you to prosper if you obey his commandments and laws because by doing so you are able to then glorify him. Those verses also point to His hand in your prosperity, whatever your definition.
Consider how many more can be blessed if you have the money like Bill Gates, who developed an extremely successful business. He is able spend millions on research, medicines and vaccines that will, in turn, save millions of lives. Wealth, even modest means, can help eliminate some of the suffering in the world on an even larger scale. Eliminating suffering and ministering to the those that have the least is what Jesus teaches in his words.
Focus on giving and serving. In fact, giving is the ultimate definition of prosperity to Jesus. His teachings are tied to giving. “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives…” James 4:3. The ultimate motive should be on how can each of us best serve others because when you do, you also serve Jesus. Working with the goal of making your business prosper, you serve others with your products and services and you go on to serve and share your prosperity.
Ultimately, growing your business is tied to using your talents, which you are told to do. You should not hide, ignore or hoard your talents, which goes against Gods principles. Acknowledging and using your talents, growing your business and, subsequently, blessing others, allows you to prosper and experience abundance in many ways, meeting some of your definitions of prosperity.
Just remember, if monetary wealth is a goal, cling to your faith in God, obey his laws and precepts; allow God to be your guide and prosperity, whatever your definition, will be more attainable.
“…the Lord your God will bless you in all you produce and in all the works of your hands, so that you surely rejoice.” Deuteronomy 16:15
I ask you, “Do you have limiting beliefs about prosperity? In what area of life have you prospered?”
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