Man has always had the desire to prosper and that is why he:
Works
Changes his jobs
Move from one end of the globe to another
Even to the extent of entering into many traps and foolish and harmful desires that lead to destruction. Many have therefore pierced themselves with many grieves.
Many men and women have been lured to death and losses as a result of their desire to prosper the way of the world. Many are in jail right now for various offenses as scam, identity theft, hire assassination, gambling, sexual immoral practices, etc all in the name of seeking for prosperity.
Many of the men and women who got kidnapped or killed around the globe became victims because of their desire to get quick riches.
Unknown to all these, from the beginning of creation, God has always desire to prosper man. No wonder, He provided all the things Adam and Eve would need to make them comfortable and contended. This morning the Lord is going to lead us on a road map to divine prosperity.
1. What is prosperity:
Prosperity means to succeed, thrive, to be well off, to really live the good life, to have genuine success.
The world sees prosperity differently from the way the Lord sees it.
2. Worldly Prosperity: 1Tim_6:17
Worldly Prosperity can be seen and touched - physical
They are temporary and never last.
At times brings pains, grieves and sorrow.
1TI 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
1Tim 6: 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Worldly Prosperity is highly valued among men but detestable by God;
LK_16: 15 He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.
Worldly riches or prosperity cannot buy peace of mind, neither can it buy the wrath of God that is coming upon the world, nor can it buy salvation.
What you consider to be highly valued or prosperity is actually detestable to God. Have you wandered from the faith and pierced yourself with many grieves in the process of looking for prosperity? There is a hope of deliverance for you this morning if only you will listen and do what the Lord wants you to do.
3. Divine Prosperity: Prov_10:22
Divine Prosperity is one that is earned here on earth, enjoyed here on earth and later in heaven.
It is Eternal – last for ever
It is all encompassing, physical, spiritual, financial, matrimonial, etc.
It brings no grieves, pains and sorrow.
LK_12: 15 Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
PR 10:22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.
4. Source of Divine Prosperity,
God owns everything and desires to give out to man
PS 24:1 The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
PR 8:18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.
Jer 29:11 “ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.
5. How to get divine prosperity
If God has this plan for man why then do we have to look elsewhere for prosperity?
In our text this morning the Lord promised to prosper us, and before he does so there are two things he wants from us:
• Obedience and
• Service
Many of us will say yes, I have been obeying and serving the Lord. I say congratulations, but are you doing these wholeheartedly? Hear what the Lord says:
DT 10:12-22 And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
1CH 28:9 "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.
MT 22:37 Jesus replied: “`Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
6. Types of Divine prosperity: physical, spiritual and eternal.
DT 11: 14 then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. 15 I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.
All those sleepless toiling with little or no results would cease.
DT 11: 23 then the LORD will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and stronger than you. 24 Every place where you set your foot will be yours: Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the western sea. 25 No man will be able to stand against you. The LORD your God, as he promised you, will put the terror and fear of you on the whole land, wherever you go.
All those enemies pursuing you day and night, the Lord will fight them for you and they will turn their back against you.
MK 10:29 "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.
You will not only be rich here on earth, but also in heaven.
Have you been obeying Him? If so how have you been doing so grudgingly or partially?
How have you been serving Him? Grudgingly too?
No wonder many of us have not prospered! No wondered many of us have been toiling and toiling without appreciable result! Is it not time we change our strategies and tactics for search for prosperity?
7. Roadmap to Divine Prosperity:
1. Prov_28: 13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but he whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
2. Prov_28: 25 A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
3. Jos_1: 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
4. Jer_29: 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
5. Deut_ 5: 33 Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.
6. Deut_15:10 Give generously to him(the poor) and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
7. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
8. PR 16:20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
For his obedience, Abraham was blessed to the extent that the land where God took him to could not contain him and his nephew Lot, Gen_13: 6. Like Abraham, you too can be blessed in the land where you are such that the land will no longer able to contain you.
For His obedience and service, Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, lifted up to heaven and seats at the right hand of the Almighty and was given a name that is above every other name, Phil_2:5-8. Like Jesus Christ you too can be lifted up to heaven with your god-given and everlasting prosperity carried along with you.
Conclusion:
How have you been looking for your prosperity? Are you looking for worldly prosperity that brings grieves, pains, sorrow and that never lasts? Why not make a U turn this morning and start seeking for divine prosperity which you will enjoy here on earth and at the same time carry on to heaven. Why not give heeds to all the instructions of the Lord that you heard this morning. Why not start by obeying the voice of the Lord and confess and renounce your sins and then put your trust in Him.
Let us Pray: Heavenly Father and our God I thank you for your word you have given us this morning. As many as have heard this word and have therefore decided to make a U turn from their worldly ways of life. Lord I pray that you visit them with your mercy and open their eyes to the road to divine prosperity and give them power and hunger to serach for divine prosperity henceforth. Thank you for answering In Jesus’ name we pray.
