Contributor: Martins Olubiyi

Introduction:

In our last Bible studies, we have seen that it is God desire and wish that believers should prosper. He said unequivocally through His word that ‘Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth’. 3 John 1: 2. Today we are going to study about a poignant question: Is financial prosperity a sign of spirituality?

Aim: The aim of this study is to avoid abuses and false practices.

7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever”.  

What is Spirituality?

Spirituality, from scriptural perspective is living the lifestyle of Jesus in thought, in action and in deeds. It is a lifestyle of obedience through absolute surrender to the will of God. Spirituality is living in holiness by eschewing the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

What is Financial Prosperity?

Prosperity is the state of flourishing, attainment of successful social status, or thriving condition, especially in financial respect. Financial prosperity is having riches in monetary term.

Money is a necessary commodity in today’s civilization. Today all the products and services needed for even an ordinary lifestyle must be purchased. Going through a single day without spending money for something is difficult, if not impossible. Just as dependence on money affect the way most people live their day-to-day lives, it also has a major impact on the way churches and ministry carry out their work.

Erroneous Teachings:

Teaching that financial prosperity is a sure sign of spirituality. This teaching suggests that throughout the Scripture, God Has rewarded faith and holiness with material blessings. The implication is that if a person is not experiencing financial abundance there must be a spiritual deficit in his life- probably caused by not giving enough. For instance, teacher might quote Mat 6: 33 and says, “If you are not having “all these things” added to your life, you must not be seeking first the Kingdom of God”. It is like telling a person who has not received healing for a sickness or disease that evidently, he just doesn’t have enough faith.   

Receiving a financial windfall is not a sure and absolute indicator of the blessing of God. It could be an indicator of bank robbery or gambling. If wealth alone were a sign of spirituality, then drug traffickers and crime bosses would be spiritual giants. 1Tim 6: 5. 

Differences between material wealth and spiritual blessings:

Prov 10: 22. The blessings of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. (KJV) The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil with it. (NIV)

James 1: 9, 10    

9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation- since they will pass away like a wild flower.

James 2: 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the Kingdom He promised those who love Him?

Paul’s charges to Timothy in 1Tim 6: 6-9, 17

Golden Nuggets from Proverbs: Prov 15: 16; 16: 8: 28: 6

Connection and Disconnection.

Material wealth can be connected to the blessings of God or it can be totally disconnected from the blessings of God

Divine Connection:

God’s factor in the life of Job.

Job 1: 1-2, 3; Job 29: 4, 12

In 1 vs 1. Job’s story is not a fiction! Job was a man who lived in Uz. (Uzbekistan/ Southern Syria). 

In 1 vs 1 also, He was blameless and upright, he feared God and shunned evil.

In Chap 29: 4 “As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle”.    

In Chap 1 vs 2, He was blessed with children

In Chap 1 vs 2, He was blessed with material possession

In Chap 1  vs 2, He was the greatest man among all the people of the East 

In Chap 29: 12, “because I rescued the poor who cried for help and the fatherless who had none to assist them.

God’ factor in the life of Joseph of Arimathea:

Mat 27: 57-60; Mark 15: 43-45; Luke 23: 50-53; John 19: 38-42;

Joseph of Arimathea fulfilled prophecy Isa 53: 9.

Divine Disconnection.

God’s factor out of the life of Nabal the Calebite.

Nabal was the husband of Abigail in 1 Sam 25: 2-3.

In vs 2, He was a property owner and was very wealthy 

In vs 3, He was a harsh man (surly and mean).

Conclusion

Financial prosperity is not an infallible gauge of a person’s spirituality. Therefore, it is expected of us to take heed to the admonition of our Lord when He said, “Watch out and guard yourself from all types of greed, because one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (NET Bible).

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