Last time we talked about how poverty is a mindset, a way of thinking. And Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead and preached good news to the poor. Jesus could have cured poverty with a miracle. Why didn’t he? Because it’s a mindset. Click here if you didn’t read the last post or want to catch up.
In John 10:10, Jesus says this: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” The Greek word that Jesus uses here - περισσός (perrisōs) - means: That which is not ordinarily encountered, extraordinary, remarkable. Beyond what is necessary, to overflow, to make over-rich. Jesus says he came to the earth so that you can have a life that is not ordinarily encountered, extraordinary, remarkable. God wants us to be “over-rich.” He doesn’t just want to meet our needs, he wants us to have more than what it necessary, and to live in a perpetual state of overflow.
1) permission to prosper.
For some of you, you are seeing for the first time with fresh eyes that it is ok for you to want to win in life. God is not mad at you and I for wanting to be prosperous in every way. Go back to the question I asked when we first started this journey. Do you believe God wants you to have:
Less than enough
Just Enough
More than enough
What you believe about this question is important. I hope you decide to agree with God about it. He wants you to always have more than enough. One of the signatures of God is abundance - more than what is necessary. In Genesis, Abraham just wanted one son. God told him that his descendants would outnumber the grains of sand on the earth, and the stars in the sky. Abraham never asked for that, but that’s what an abundant God does. In Luke 6:38, Jesus says that when we give, it will be given back to us “pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.” When Jesus fed the 5000, he started with five loaves and two fish, and they didn’t just feed all the people. They had twelve baskets left over. When He fed the 4000, they had seven baskets left over. In Malachi 3:10, God says this: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”
In Joel Osteen’s book Your Best Life Now, he tells this story:
Years ago, a famous golfer was invited by the king of Saudi Arabia to play in a golf tournament. He accepted the invitation, and the king flew his private jet over to the United States to pick up the pro. They played golf for several days, and enjoyed a good time. As the golfer was getting on the plane to return to the United States, the king stopped him and said, “I want to give you a gift for coming all this way and making this time so special. Anything you want. What could I get you?”
Ever the gentleman, the golfer replied, “Oh, please; don’t get me anything. You’ve been a gracious host. I’ve had a wonderful time. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
The king was adamant. He said, “No, I insist on giving you something so you will always remember your journey to our country.”
When the golfer realized that the king was resolute, he said, “Okay, fine. I collect golf clubs. Why don’t you give me a golf club?”
He boarded the plane, and on his flight back home, he couldn’t help wondering what kind of golf club the king might give him. He imagined that it might be a solid gold putter with his name engraved on it. Or maybe it would be a sand wedge studded with diamonds and jewels. After all, this would be a gift from the oil-rich king of Saudi Arabia.
When the golfer got home, he watched the mail and the delivery services every day, to see if his golf club had come yet. Finally, several weeks later, he received a certified letter from the king of Saudi Arabia. The U.S. professional thought that rather strange. Where’s my golf club? he wondered. He opened the envelope, and to his surprise, inside he discovered a deed to a five-hundred-acre golf course in America.
The story is told that one day a beggar by the roadside asked for alms from Alexander the Great as he passed by. The man was poor and wretched and had no claim upon the ruler, no right even to lift a solicitous hand. Yet the Emperor threw him several gold coins.
An attendant was astonished at his generosity and commented, ‘Sir, copper coins would adequately meet a beggar’s need. Why give him gold?” Alexander responded in royal fashion, ‘Copper coins would suit the beggar’s need, but gold coins suit Alexander’s giving.”
If these stories illustrate the power of human abundance, what does God’s abundance look like for you and I? God isn’t the God of “less than enough” or “just enough.” Ephesians 3:20 gives us a glimpse into the mind of God: “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” If you want just enough for you, you don’t want what God wants for you.
2) the power to prosper.
“You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (Deuteronomy 8:18, ESV)
The Hebrew word for wealth here is חַ֫יִל (hayil). It means financial wealth, strength and influence to have and grow your dominion. When we apply Biblical principles to our lives emotionally, mentally, spiritually, physically and financially, we gain the power to take dominion and grow that dominion in all of those areas. Our problem with a lack of prosperity will always be attached to our ignorance, or unwillingness to do life God’s way.
3) purpose for prosperity.
As we have discussed, 2 Corinthians 9:8 gives us guidance for God’s definition of prosperity:
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV)
In my current research, I believe the best way to define Biblical prosperity is: I have everything I need, and I have enough to meet other people’s needs.
The NLT version of 2 Corinthians 9 goes on to say:
“10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.”
Ephesians 2:10 tells us that God we are “God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Matthew 5:16 tells us to “let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Without prosperity, these things would be impossible. Prosperity is required for generosity. And when we are generous, God gives us more so that we can always be generous. This is where a lot of the “rich people” I know tend to struggle the most. They think prosperity is all about them, their family, their dreams and their desires. They think that the purpose of their wealth is for them. They believe that they have permission to prosper, but they often misunderstand that God has given them the power to prosper. And they especially misunderstand the purpose behind their wealth. That’s still a poverty mentality.
But there’s also the mentality that says we shouldn’t desire prosperity. A lack of desire or drive to prosper is also poverty thinking. It is not virtuous. Not desiring prosperity is small minded, selfish, and even sinful. Biblical prosperity isn’t selfish, and it isn’t “me” focused. It is the desire to live in an overflow so that you can always be generous. If we are not pursuing prosperity, then we are also not pursuing generosity. If we are not pursuing generosity, we are not living life God’s way.
Some of us have overcomplicated the idea of prosperity. We think that because some pastors have used money poorly, we can’t give to the church. We think that because some people have been selfish in their prosperity, that prosperity is bad. We have allowed our own “man-made ideas” to take the place of the commands of God. Jesus didn’t say that the poor will always be among us as a resignation. Once God lifts your thinking out of poverty of any kind, you have a responsibility to help other people.
The Bible does not qualify poverty as a good thing, but it also tells us that we have a responsibility to give to the poor. If you are emotionally healthy, you have a responsibility to give to those who are struggling emotionally. If you are physically healthy, you have a responsibility to model, and help people become spiritually healthy. If you are spiritually thriving, how can you help others in their journey? Once you are prospering financially, how are you giving financially to the poor through your local church? But it doesn’t just stop there, how are you helping the “poor” in your world hear the good news that they have permission, power and purpose in prosperity God’s way?
We all have a lot of thoughts on money, next time let’s talk about where our thinking on wealth and money came from.
This reminds me of a quote from CS Lewis in Mere Christianity in regard to generosity.
“I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.”
Great read, Josh! Keep em coming.