Many people say that it is wrong to be prosperous. If this is true, why is it that many of the greatest men of God were prosperous? You know about David, and of course Solomon. Let’s look at Abraham:

Genesis 13:2

2 Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver and in gold.

Genesis 24:1

1 Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in every way.

There’s one other principle related to Abraham. Because of the price paid by Jesus Christ on the cross, all Christians are heirs to the same blessings Abraham received from God!

Galatians 3:6-9

6 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU."

9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

Galatians 3:13-14

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us -- for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE" --

14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Since we are heirs to Abraham, these blessings are available to us – not just the righteousness by faith, but ALL the blessings of Abraham. All it takes for us to receive them is to follow God’s standards related to wealth.

The key to handling prosperity is to keep God first.

Matthew 6:33

33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

You must be honest with yourself regarding this point, because you will be tested related to this principle. Do you recognize this truth?

Deuteronomy 8:18

18 "But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth …

Do you follow these basic passages?

Proverbs 3:9-10

9 Honor the LORD from your wealth

And from the first of all your produce;

10 So your barns will be filled with plenty

And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Proverbs 8:17-18 (This is wisdom, or real knowledge speaking)

17 "I love those who love me;

And those who diligently seek me will find me.

18 "Riches and honor are with me,

Enduring wealth and righteousness.

Proverbs 11:24-25

24 There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more,

And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.

25 The generous man will be prosperous,

And he who waters will himself be watered.

Prosperity God’s way is a marvelous thing. When you put God and His Word first, you will have the ability to handle any blessings He sends your way without being distracted by them. In contrast, prosperity apart from God brings trouble:

Proverbs 15:6

6 Great wealth is in the house of the righteous,

But trouble is in the income of the wicked.

The world’s system of wealth has its price. It never turns out the way you think. When you get your prosperity by the world’s methods, it will bring sorrow, but God’s prosperity has no sorrow with it:

Proverbs 10:22

22 It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich,

And He adds no sorrow to it.

The sorrow comes from loving money, and putting it ahead of God.

1 Timothy 6:10

10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

When you covet money and materialism, it will draw you away from your faith, and bring you misery! As long as you keep God first, you will have the real prosperity from God that brings no sorrow with it.