We are meant to prosper in ALL THINGS!
The issue is Lordship in determining whether we prosper in all things. Prosperity isn’t just about money, however it is included. In the Old Testament, blessing was always measured in finance. In the New Testament, Jesus focused on Lordship.
Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 18:
18 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit Eternal life?”
19 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ “
21 And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”
22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have Treasure in Heaven; and come, follow Me.”
23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
In Mark chapter 10, Jesus clarifies the issue with the rich young ruler:
23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the Kingdom of God!”
The rich young ruler was expected to give 100%. Jesus didn’t give that same instruction to Zacchaeus. You cannot have Eternal Life without obeying Jesus.
Jesus spoke in chapter 19:
1 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”
6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.
7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”
8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”
9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;
10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
In Zacchaeus’ case, 50% brought salvation to his house. The issue with money is not a formula, the issue is Lordship, always Lordship. All Kingdom issues are heart issues and have to do with Lordship. When the Lordship issue is settled, then the trust is in The Lord.
Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 16:
9 Use the wealth of this world to demonstrate your friendship with God by winning friends and blessing others. Then, when it runs out, your generosity will provide you with an Eternal reward.
10 “The one who faithfully manages the little he has been given will be promoted and trusted with greater responsibilities. But those who cheat with the little they have been given will not be considered trustworthy to receive more.
11 If you have not handled the riches of this world with integrity, why should you be trusted with the Eternal Treasures of the Spiritual world?
12 And if you’ve not proven yourself faithful with what belongs to another, why should you be given wealth of your own?
13 It is impossible for a person to serve two masters at the same time. You will be forced to love one and reject the other. One master will be despised and the other will have your loyal devotion. Your choice between God and the wealth of this world (mammon) is no different. You must enthusiastically love one and definitively reject the other.”
Some leaders have abused the Truth to fleece the sheep. We must not allow such an abuse to give us the right to neglect the Truth. I have been fleeced by leaders in the past but have not allowed their manipulation to determine my giving. My wife and I rely on The Holy Spirit to direct us rather than any manipulative pressure from the pulpit.
As we totally rely on The Holy Spirit to direct us in our finances, we have in essence placed Jesus Lord over our checkbook. This allows our soul to prosper in everything we set our hand to.