Section guide: [ Creative Thinking ] [ Prosperity ] [ Self-Expression ] Prosperity Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind. With respect to luxuries and comforts, the wisest have even lived a more simple and meager life than the poor. Henry David Thoreau Why we feel needy 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 us 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: Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that 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, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?'
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
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: Thank God for what you have. Offer your life to Him. 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.
This 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 In this section, you can: | 
