When we speak of Biblical prosperity, we are speaking of a “whole” package – health, wealth, wisdom, blessing; but for the purpose of this article, we will focus in on one area of God’s prosperity – that of FINANCIAL PROSPERITY.

3 John 2 says “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth” – KJV. This verse brings us the most powerful truth of God’s prosperity. PROSPERITY isn’t something that COMES TO US. The prosperity of God flows out from us. It comes from the inside. The Apostle Paul said he wished ABOVE ALL THINGS that the people would experience the prosperity of God. This was the highest thing he could pray for them, because prosperity is the very life of Jesus flowing into and out through our lives!

Our prayer is the same for you as the Apostle Paul peititoned – that you may prosper even as your soul prospers! Our prayer is that as we study what the Father has to say in His Word regarding the management of money, we will have our minds renewed to the truth (have error corrected and assumptions eradicated). Our prayer is that WE WILL KNOW THE TRUTH ON THIS SUBJECT IN A GREATER WAY AND THAT WE WILL BECOME FREE – FINANCIALLY FREE!

In our last article we spoke of TRANSFERING KINGDOMS and making God the Lord of our finances; we spoke of revoking the authority of the spirit of mammon over our materials lives; and breaking any curses that have come as a result of his lordship. This act is made more powerful by taking communion and sealing the prayer with the blood of the Lamb. (To prosper financially, we must deal with any spiritual roots that have caused perpetual poverty or recurrent debt down our family lines).

When I speak at BIBLICAL FINANCE seminars I ask the people, “What does money mean to you?” I am asking you that right now (rhetorically, of course). You will be amazed at how telling your answer is. It shows what you believe about money, what place it holds in your life and how important it is to you.

Then I ask people “what is the first recollection you have of money, or what do you recall hearing about money growing up?”

The answers to these questions often reveal wrong thinking, fear of not enough and emotional issues connected with the management of money. Some people (try as they might) cannot get out of debt, because they act out their beliefs in such a way that debt is compounded. Put simply, they do things that get them in deeper! (Remember, prosperity begins on the INSIDE. The OUTSIDE is simply a reflection or the fruit of what we believe on the inside). WE LIVE OUT WHAT WE BELIEVE! WE LIVE OUT THE TRUTH INSIDE OF US!

The Word tells us “as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he”. This means there is an image in our hearts of how we believe ourselves to be. This image sets our expectation of life and what is going to happen to us in life.

In the negative, we see this often. Something will happen and someone will say, “I just knew it”. “This always happens to me”. “It has always been that way”. What expectations are set in your spirit regarding the amazing provision of God for your life? What images are built in your heart? Do you expect to prosper, or do you need to build a new image based on what the Word says the Father wants to do for you…….”the blessing of the Lord maketh rich and adds no sorrow” (Prov. 10:22).

Can you now see that we need to deal with the spiritual area of our lives, the emotional area and oftentimes we need to learn new money habits. This means we need to learn to become more financially intelligent and put into action new habits.

When we do this, we TURN INTO THE FLOW OF GOD’S BLESSING. We are positioned for it and it comes in the form of favour, unexpected blessing, cancelled debt, miracle supply, open doors and opportunities, gifts, promotion and blessing upon businesses and investments. These things are part of the currency of God’s Kingdom. The kingdom under the rule of the spirit of mammon only knows one currency: MONEY. It’s all about the increase of the bottom line. The Kingdom of God – the true Kingdom operates quite differently.

If we look at the Old Testament we see THREE definitions that speak of MATERIAL INCREASE. We see WEALTH (Ps. 24:1; Hag. 2:8) which is what God has created in the earth (natural resources). We see Biblical wealth being displayed in the lives of the patriarchs – land, houses, cattle, some silver and gold (not in the form of money), jewelry, objects of value. Then, we see MONEY. This was something created by God (metal) and released into the world’s system by stamping the head of a man on it. And, lastly, we see RICHES. This is money that works for us. It comes in the form of investments (something sacrificed or set aside today for the sake of tomorrow).

When we prosper in God (by His hand) there comes increase to our lives – not just of money, but lands, homes and other material blessings. So, how do we come into such increase? How do we walk in the prosperity of God? The simple answer is ‘BY FAITH”.

Every kingdom has a currency (as seen above). Every kingdom has a series of notes and coins which enable to people merchandise, do business and live. If you travel from one nation to another nation, you must convert the currency of the first nation. For example, a US$ or a GB pound can buy anything in Australia. It is still valuable, but it is not able to be used with the realm of the Commonwealth of Australia. IT MUST BE CONVERTED OR EXCHANGED. THE VALUE OF THE CURRENCY MUST BE BROUGHT FROM ONE REALM (OR ONE KINGDOM) TO ANOTHER.

The blessings that have been purchased for us through the blood of Christ are ours! But, they are spiritual blessings (this includes the part of our covenant with God that provides

us prosperity) and as such must be brought from the spiritual realm into this natural realm we presently live in. WE DO THIS BY RELEASING OUR FAITH UPON THE TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD. The more we meditate upon the Word, the more a reality it becomes within us, and when we meditate upon specific Scriptures on debt release, increase, the stewardship of money, the MORE our faith is strengthened and released to receive. OUR RECEIVER COMES TO BE AT MAXIMUM LEVEL. We expect to receive from the Father. The image built inside of us is as a covenant child of the Most High God!

Isaiah 1:19 tells us that…. “IF WE ARE WILLING AND OBEDIENT WE WILL EAT THE BEST OF THE LAND”. This means we will live well. This is the will and heart of God toward us, but we must be obedient. This means we must do something – and the something is LIVE BY FAITH.

I challenge you to build a Biblical image of prosperity in your heart. EXPECT THE LORD TO MOVE, BELIEVE THE LORD TO SUPPLY ABUNDANTLY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, GIVE HIM THE GLORY! (Rev. Noela Collis)