Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai

INTRODUCTION: This week we will be looking at the first of a three-part series that concludes our study of Biblical Prosperity – a Balanced Approach titled twenty-four principles from the Epistles regarding money, giving, and receiving. In today’s study we shall be looking at the first 8 of these principles

PRINCIPLE #1: All We Give to God Originated from God. Romans 11:33-35
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? Montgomery's translation of verse 35 says, "Who has first given to Him, so as to receive payment in return?"

This makes it clear that we are not to demand that God give us what we want. God in His graciousness has already provided everything for us.
The Old Testament tells how David wanted to see a house, or temple, built for God and how he collected a generous offering from his personal wealth and from the prosperity of the people of Israel. They amassed an enormous amount of gold, silver, precious stones, and other materials needed for the task. Then David prayed this eloquent prayer: 1 Chronicles 29:11-14,16
“Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. . .. O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine Holy name cometh of thine own hand, and is all thine own."
Remember, too, that in First Corinthians 10:26 and 28, Paul declares that the "earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof."
Both the Old and New Testaments recognize God as the Creator and Possessor of all things. Having given God something does not entitle one to arrogantly demand that God do something in return. Rather, giving is to be done worshipfully, recognizing that whatever we give to God was originally created by Him and then given to us. Therefore, the proper attitude for giving is one of worship and gratitude.

PRINCIPLE #2: Some Believers Operate in A Special Grace of Giving. Rom. 12:6-8
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that relets, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.” 
These are not ministerial offices like those listed in Ephesians chapter 4. Rather, they are simply special inclinations found in certain believers based on "extra grace" in a given area. For example, all believers are called upon by God to be merciful, but some have an extra grace in this area.
Some believers are given special grace and abound especially in the area of giving. But this does not excuse other believers from their basic responsibility of giving.

PRINCIPLE #3: Believers Are Called Upon to Be Diligent in Business. Romans 12:11
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11
Montgomery's translation of this verse reads, "In your diligence be free from sloth. ."
While the Apostle Paul touches on this important topic, the Book of Proverbs is full of admonitions that apply to every believer. Believers cannot expect to prosper if they are not diligent and responsible in discharging their duties in life.

PRINCIPLE #4: Believers Should Be Responsible Toward Their Financial Obligations. Romans 13:6-8
“For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law”. 
Weymouth's translation of verse 8 says, "Leave no debt unpaid except the standing debt of mutual love."
If you are owing anyone – don’t give sleep to your eyes until you have paid it!

PRINCIPLE #5: Believers Have a Duty to Minister Financially to Those Who Have Spiritually Blessed Them. Romans 15:25-27
“But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. 
Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Gal. 6:6
The Phillips translation of Galatians 6:6 says, "The man under Christian instruction should be willing to contribute toward the livelihood of his teacher."

PRINCIPLE #6: Ministers Have a Right to Be Supported Financially by Their Work in The Ministry. 1 Corinthians 9:7, 9, 10, 11, 13-14 
“7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? 10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.” 
Notice that Paul stresses that ministers have the right to be supported financially.
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, the labourer is worthy of his reward. 1 Timothy 5:17,18
The Williams version of verse 17 says, "Elders who do their duties well should be considered as deserving twice the salary they get, especially those who keep on toiling in preaching and teaching."

PRINCIPLE #7: Love Must Motivate the Believer's Giving. 1 Corinthians 13:3
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. —1 Corinthians 13:3
The Modern Language translation says, "And though I give all my belongings to feed the hungry and surrender my body to be burned, but I have no love, I am not in the least benefited."

PRINCIPLE #8: Christians Should Practice Consistent and Systematic Giving.  1 Cor.16:1,2
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 1 Corinthians 16:1,2
Verse 2, according to the Norlie translation, stresses that each person's giving should be ". . . according to his financial ability."
The Living Bible says, "The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn."

This study was culled from “The Midas Touch” By Kenneth E. Hagin
 

Contributor: Dolapo Olaoye

Introduction: This week we will be looking at understanding whether our prosperity is tied to our giving and giving alone or perhaps there is more to it? There is a misconception that receiving financial abundance is totally and exclusively tied to one thing—giving… Giving is good and we have been taught/brought up to give as little or as much as comes to our hands, right? We are taught to give so that we can receive right? Or receive so we can give! So of course giving is important. However, it is NOT the only key to prosperity.

SEVEN REASONS WHY GENEROSITY LEADS TO PROSPERITY:

1. To expand your horizon and increase your opportunities, you must be a giver.

Proverbs 11:24 (Message): “The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.” 

2. You must know a generous giver is blessed in everything they do.

Deuteronomy 15:10 (NLT): “Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.” 

3. One way for a fresh wind to blow in your finances.

Proverbs 11:25 (NLT): “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”

4. Generosity guarantees that your needs will be met. . .and that you will have enough left over to bless others.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NLT): “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

Notice this verse says “. . .you will always have” it doesn’t say you might have, you could have, you should have. . .no it says “YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED AND PLENTY LEFT OVER. . .”

5. Your generosity always provides immediate benefits with a guaranteed return.

Generosity not only gives you a guaranteed future . . . it provides immediate returns on your investments. Ecclesiastes 11:1 (Message): “Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns.”

6. When everyone else is getting bad news from their employer, the news media or the world, those who are generous are getting good news.

Psalm 112:5 (NLT): “Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.” 

7. When you give even in troubled times . . . when you do the right thing and bless others, you will even get a bonus. Ruth 2:11 in the Message Bible says:

“Boaz answered her, "I've heard all about you—heard about the way you treated your mother-in-law after the death of her husband, and how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth and have come to live among a bunch of total strangers. God reward you well for what you've done—and with a generous bonus besides from God, to whom you've come seeking protection under his wings." 

So yes based on the above it may seem giving is in some way tied to prosperity however there are other ways to also prosper such as:

•      Getting Wisdom and Understanding

Proverbs 19:8 (Amplified Bible):“He who gains Wisdom loves his own life; he who keeps understanding shall prosper and find good.”

We hear this often enough “get wisdom, get understanding” but what or how really does that work? Well one way to gain wisdom and understanding is removing yourself from associating with negative people, distance yourself from people who don’t care to find direction or their purpose. But rather put yourself in the company of people who have a hunger, a thirst and a passion for wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

Hosea 4:6: “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.”

Notice how the Scripture doesn’t say that Satan would destroy you but rather lack of knowledge destroys people.  Satan just helps people enjoy staying ignorant.

Knowledge gives us access to right information which in turn will not only promote, motivate but also give us confidence. Remember what we earnestly desire will be drawn to us . . . and that puts us on the right road to prosperity.

•        Listening to and taking instruction

Proverbs 16:20 (NIV): “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.”

Remember it takes more than listening however. You must be a doer of the Word as well. Act on what you hear.

•         Hard Work

Proverbs 13:4 (NLT): “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.”

NKJV says the soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing…… It’s not enough to just desire something and not work at getting it. Desire is a step towards something but desiring alone gets us nothing. Desire with hard work however produce prosperity. When you work hard, God’s law demands that you receive your reward.

•       Doing what is right

The key to doing right things is speaking right things. What we think about we speak about which then bring about our thought.  That’s the progression to have right things which will cause us to prosper. Make speaking the right thing a habit.

Psalm 81:10 (NLT): “For it was I, the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.”

•      Not worrying about the prosperity of others

Psalm 37:7 “Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.”

Any time you spend questioning God or talking with others about why the ungodly prosper is time where the enemy has diverted your focus from what God wants to do for you to what’s happening to others around you.

CONCLUSION

You see, the Bible does not just speak about God prospering us. The Bible also speaks of us making our own way prosperous. That's why we should not only teach the spiritual aspect of prosperity but also encourage each other to identify their skills and interests and to seek God as to how He might be leading us vocationally.

We need to get the best education we can possibly get and gain a broad range of knowledge about the world we live in. It's true that we should trust in God as our source rather than placing all our confidence in a job or the economy. But that doesn't mean that financial prosperity is totally unrelated to a person's occupation.

Parts of this study was culled from “The Midas Touch” by Kenneth E. Hagin

Contributor: Isekhua Evborkhai

INTRODUCTION

So far in our study we have continued to stress the importance of providing a proper balance on important Christian truths. We have seen how easily people can emphasize a particular idea or concept so much that they carry it to an extreme. Their attitudes erroneously hinged on the assumption that if a little bit of something is good, then a whole lot must be better.  What usually happens is to handle this extremity, another group rises to correct the overemphasis. Unfortunately, often their "correction” heads off to the opposite extreme—because "too much" of this idea is so offensive, let's get rid of it altogether. You might say they tended to "throw the baby out with the bath water."

The result of these extremes is that a great gulf is created between the two extreme positions, and often misunderstandings and animosity arise. People in both camps get so caught up in the conflict that they forget the original motivation of both sides, which was to do good and bless people. And in their overzealousness, both sides often lose sight of the original truth!

We have referred to handling balance in our studies so far by calling the basic truth—the biblical position—the middle of the road, and the extreme applications as the ditches on either side of the road. For some reason, it seems like the hardest thing in the world for the Body of Christ to stay balanced on a subject.

Take note that it is not just bad people who get into a ditch. Good people—sincere, well-meaning Christian believers whose zealousness for the truth is commendable can allow their zeal to exceed their wisdom. I believe that even some of the Christian leaders whose failures made national headlines in past years did not intentionally set out to hurt anyone or to fall into error. They went out on tangents and got away from the main purpose and central truth of the Gospel. Once off track, it was all too easy to go downhill in a hurry.

THE MONEY BALANCE

Bearing the above in mind, let's now discuss the issue of balance when it comes to money. Ecclesiastes 10:19 says:

“A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.”

1 Timothy 6:6-10 says

“6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people 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.”

In considering money balance, people tend to end up in one of three positions:

CONCLUSION

Proverbs tell us two simple truths that can change the way we think about money.

Firstly, Proverbs 17:16 says:

"Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?"

Proverbs 19:10a says:

“It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury…"

So, more money is not the solution, but wisdom and a principled life is!

Proverbs 11:4 [MSG] says:

“A thick bankroll is no help when life falls apart, but a principled life can stand up to the worst.”

The appropriate money balance the church needs is one that prioritizes wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 7:11-12 says:

“Wisdom is even better when you have money. Both are a benefit as you go through life. Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life.”

Parts of this study was culled from The Midas Touch by Kenneth E. Hagin