| Why is it that people living in the midst of plenty -- materially speaking -- can feel afraid, empty, impoverished, and that their life is meaningless? What is it that drives many Americans to consume goods at a rate that outstrips their earnings, dropping them into the folly of consumer debt? I believe we feel intrinsically needy and fearful, far beyond our actual material needs, for the obvious reason that we are born separated from God. This is the plight of fallen man. Even those who choose to deny this in their philosophy are subject to its effects. It isn't a question of belief, but one of fact. The search for serenity, joy, fulfillment, satisfaction, abundance, and meaning in life doesn't begin at the mall. It begins in our heart when we acknowledge our need for God above all, and then allow His wonderful love to transform our lives. The blessings that flow from God are the only true solution to our neediness -- and they are of a richness and extravagance beyond anything we could buy, even if we were billionaires. What is prosperity?So just what is prosperity -- lots of money and material possessions? Peace of mind? Employability? An expansive view of life? My experience is that simply having money in the bank is not enough to make one feel prosperous, because worry about the future (and possibly NOT having money then) can rob today's potential for satisfaction. In the classic novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, the story of a poor Irish family at the turn of the century, the young author and her father make a ritual out of pouring the last sips of coffee from their cups down the sink. They do this to make themselves feel as though they have so much of this precious commodity, they can afford to waste some. In this way they cheat the overwhelmingly frightening emotions that can be brought on by poverty. So perhaps true prosperity is a state of mind, not of bank balance. In my opinion, the most memorable advice on right thinking about prosperity is from Jesus: Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
(Luke 12:22-34) Having said all that ... which of us does not need money? Are there ways we can increase our material prosperity that actually add to our spiritual prosperity at the same time? I believe so, and I also believe that this is the age, above all others, in which such a happy concatenation of events is possible. Allow me to offer a checklist of my own to help you pursue your prosperity in a way that can be blessed by God: - Thank God for what you have.
- Offer your life to Him and walk in His ways.
- Take responsibility for your gifts and your time on earth. (Re-read the Parable of the Talents.)
- Make specific goals, and write them down.
- Turn your goals into affirmations. This is the same as saying, 'pray with faith that God has already answered your prayer.'
- Work towards your goals.
- Visualize the results you seek.
- Pray and work unselfishly to help others achieve their goals, too.
Promises from the Word of GodThis is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us -- whatever we ask -- we know that we have what we asked of him. (I John 5:14-15) But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (Luke 8:15) May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. (Psalms 20:4) "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." (Jeremiah 29:11) |
