DON'T TALK AGAINST PROSPERITY IN CHRISTENDOM - PART 2

God's tender care toward His living Church or the body of Christ was the prominent message of Prophet Zechariah. God's heart is already set upon His children's eternal interests, and He never can change His mind concerning our prosperity.

Reference: Zechariah 1:17 New King James Version (NKJV) 'Again proclaim, saying, "Thus says the Lord of hosts: My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; The Lord will again comfort Zion, And will again choose Jerusalem."'

God was talking about His people, emphasizing that their prosperity comes from Him and that His cities (also kingdom) shall be spread abroad through prosperity. What is prosperity in the context of the Scriptures? It is the state of being prosperous - spirit, soul and body. 3 John 2 (NKJV) says, 'Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.'

There are two major types of prosperity- divine prosperity and worldly prosperity. Divine prosperity is obtained and maintained by Kingdom principles, while worldly prosperity is earthly, selfish, sensual and logically-based because its source is earthly. It is the prosperity that comes from the world system. Someone can lie, cheat or covet to acquire this prosperity. In the world system, someone can also work hard and be honest and get by but rarely function in the wealth of God's Kingdom.

Functioning in God's system of success makes life very simple. It means - don't adopt the world's system - get it from God. When you hear people being critical of 'prosperity gospel' especially in a negative sense, they are referring to finance only. Interestingly, prosperity in God's kingdom has many areas or aspects, namely: spiritual prosperity (being in Christ), material prosperity (substances), financial prosperity (funds), health prosperity (staying healthy), mental prosperity (wisdom, revelation knowledge, sound mind), prosperity in relationship (marriage and association) and emotional prosperity (peaceful state of mind). In all these areas, God prospers us in line with the Abrahamic covenant.

Actually, God derives pleasure in making us prosperous because if He doesn't, the Abrahamic covenant will remain dormant or invalid in our lives. That's why Deuteronomy 8:18 (KJV) says, 'But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.'

Beloved, there are always two choices before you- the world's system or God's Kingdom system. If you want to enjoy lasting peace and prosperity in your health, finances, mind, relationships, career or any other area of life, you must subscribe to God's system. And it comes by applying and exercising faith in the fulfilled promises in the Word of God.

Let this sink well into your spirit: God prospers us when we demonstrate our faith in the prosperity principles embedded in His Word, and He does it for these three reasons: To establish the Abrahamic covenant with us; to meet our needs and also use us to provide for the needy around us and to advance His Kingdom with our substance or finance here on earth.

The Bible says, 'But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33 ESV). To 'seek first' here also means to follow divine principles which uphold God's system of provision in His Kingdom. This Scripture guarantees your wellbeing, success, abundance, and overflow and they are within the confines of the definition of divine prosperity. Despite the religious or carnal view about or against it, divine prosperity is God's will and plan for you.

Scripture Reading - Genesis 13:2; Leviticus 26:3-5; 2 Chronicles 26:5; Job 36:11; Psalm 34:10.

Guided Prayer: Heavenly Father, I'm grateful and blessed today to gain a better understanding of how you define prosperity. I rejoice in the truth that you want me to succeed in life. By growing in supernatural wisdom and demonstrating my faith in your kingdom principles, I'm positioned to fulfil your will for my life and have a good success. I walk in health, excellence and prosperity and I'm sufficient in Christ's sufficiency, in Jesus' Name, Amen!