Prosperity: A Gift Of God

Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 5:19

The meeting broke up, and the three of us made our way toward the parking lot. The other two men unlocked expensive luxury cars and slipped inside onto soft, hand-crafted leather seats. As their engines cranked, rows of luminous dials and gauges blinked and sputtered to life in the cockpits.

One of these men is a believer; the other is not. For the one who is not, his automobile represented the apex of his achievements. It symbolized his human potential; it discreetly certified his prosperity to the world around him. His car was the icon of his identity. It represented the end to which he aspired.

The believer appreciated the quality of the car he drove. God had blessed his life with prosperity, yet a sense of guilt lingered about the abundance of his life—especially when compared to many of the struggling saints in his church.

He ran the company he owned on Christian principles—not as a "Christian” company with a big Bible positioned pretentiously on the reception table, but one which held integrity and ethical behavior as its highest values. He employed several people, enabling them to support their families. His own behavior influenced many employees to trust Christ as their own Savior and Lord.

He shared regularly with the poor and spread good works throughout his community. He was leaving the world a better place, a more spiritual place. His life was a testimony to Christ. Still, guilt over his prosperity lingered, haunting his thoughts. He had never been able to accept his lot in life and, as a consequence, he didn’t enjoy his possessions. He missed the gift of God.

The Purpose of Prosperity

What is the purpose of prosperity? God owns everything. He searches for men and women to whom He can entrust the material world He owns. Pagans cut throats as they compete for their slice of the prosperity pie. But the hand of God bestows prosperity on certain of His children without trouble. He does so exclusively to extend the kingdom of God in the temporal world. He hides no secret reason.

What happens to the one—believer or unbeliever—who misses the purpose of prosperity, who ignores the mandate to extend the kingdom of God? He does not please the Lord, and the blessing will be taken away. “To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God” (Ecclesiastes 2:26). Has God blessed you materially? Virtually every reader will fall in the category of financially blessed, especially on a world standard. Today, two of three people live in hunger worldwide. Though blessed, we tend to err with our prosperity. What common errors do people make with money?

The Four Errors of Prosperity

Financially blessed Christians often fall for one or more of four great errors.

1. Taking Credit for Prosperity. The foremost error, when error exists, is for believers to ascribe credit for their success to themselves. Their possessions become the apex of their achievements, the icon of their identity, the end to which they aspire. They might as well be pagans, for God detests idol worship.
2. Ingratitude for Prosperity. The second great error is to receive the blessing of God without gratitude. The enemy is never more happy than when he confounds financially blessed believers to take their blessing for granted. They don’t take credit, but neither do they give God credit. Pause for perspective often. Don’t live myopically; thank God for your blessing.
3. Guilt over Prosperity. The third great error belongs to those who feel the sting of guilt from financial abundance. They find accepting their lot in life difficult. Satan poisons their spirit from experiencing the joy and peace of God. He clouds every abundant experience with a heavy shroud of guilt. You must realize God is at the root of your blessing. Instead of feeling guilt over abundance, find God’s purpose for it. Be grateful, not guilty.
4. Dependence upon Prosperity. The fourth great error believers make is to depend on their prosperity, not Christ. Stored wealth is the dead giveaway for this error. To trust in the size of your bank balance is what financial counselor and author Ron Blue terms “over-accumulation.”

Accumulating any more than the amount needed to retire, to go into full-time Christian service, to perpetuate a business, and/or to provide for children’s education is accumulating too much.

The wheels of Christianity grind at an enormous price. God blessed you so that you will bless His work. It is not for you only, but for the work of the kingdom of God. Don’t use prosperity only to increase your lifestyle; extend the kingdom of God. Enjoy your prosperity gratefully and multiply the work of God.

Don’t lose the gift of God. Please Him. Don’t miss the purpose of your prosperity. Prosperity is from God, not for you only, but as a means to other ends—the ends of God. Undo the guilt you have felt, and do the work of God. Determine your personal financial needs, then devote the balance to kingdom work. Please God with your prosperity.

I SURRENDER

Father, I have often sensed ingratitude and guilt over my prosperity. Help me to accept Your blessing as a gift, neither taking credit for my prosperity nor denying Your role in it. Help me use Your blessing to extend the kingdom of God here on earth. Prevent me from ever again viewing the possessions You have entrusted to me as mine. They are only a means to other ends, and I surrender them to You. Amen.