Prosperity: The Christian way

As we are approaching the end of the year where some of us have started reflecting on what we planned and longed to achieve this year some of us have already started nagging ourselves about the behaviors and things we wanted to change this year.

And we will be learning a few things from Jeremiah which will help us in our journey to possessing the promises of God as written in Jeremiah 1: 4–10.

But before delving into the core we need to establish a common understanding of who is a Christian.

Who is a Christian?

And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. — Acts 11:26

According to the bible, a Christian is a person who does things in a way Christ would do. Or in other words, we can say that a Christian is a true follower of Christ.

And what is prosperity?

According to the English dictionary, Prosperity is a state of being successful and having a lot of money. But from the word prosperity, we get two other words, Success and money. Where Success means accomplishing an aim or the outcome of an undertaking.

The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. — 3 John 1:1–2

And so as per our readings from the epistle of John, the book of Jeremiah and acts, to a Christian Prosperity, is all about the accomplishment of God’s purpose in a Christian’s life. Or if we focus more on what we read from the epistle of John To Christian prosperity is the manifestation of what fills one’s soul into the physical realm.

Our prosperity is measured by how much we follow our paths to our destinies which starts from within ourselves before being manifested in the physical world.

Four things you need to do if you want to prosper as a Christian

1. Make sure you find out God’s purpose in your life as in Jeremiah 1: 5.

If you want to prosper as a Christian, you need to know why God created you and what he wants you to achieve as part of accomplishing his purpose.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations. — Jeremiah 1: 5

2. Prepare your heart/soul (inner being) Jeremiah 1:6, 3 John 1:1–2.

Everything has a source and so prosperity. Our prosperity as Christians starts from God and we relate with God through our souls/hearts and so we can’t succeed the God’s way without preparing our spiritual beings for success.

We need to learn from the children of darkness, they invest in making sure that their souls are connected to their source of prosperity.

Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” — Jeremiah 1:6

Instead of Jeremiah replying to God that he cannot speak, he was supposed to train himself to speak or ask God to help him because his inability to speak does not change God’s purpose. It was just a matter of hm being ready to fit into the purpose

And in most cases, God’s purpose is bigger than us and so we need to train our sleeves to fit into his purpose and it’s not by our own power but by abiding in his ways because we are just vessels.

The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. — 3 John 1:1–2

How do you prepare your heart/soul for prosperity?:

1. Building and cultivating a strong relationship with God John 15:7.

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. — John 15:7

2. Praying Jeremiah 31:9

They shall come with weeping, And with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, In a straight way in which they shall not stumble; For I am a Father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn. — Yeremia 31:9

3. Being obedient to God Isaiah 1:19–20

If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. — Isaya 1:19–20

4. Fear of God Proverbs 4:23, Genesis 39:9b

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. — Proverbs 4:23

There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” — Genesis 39:9

5. Our life plans should be grounded in accomplishing God’s purpose in our own lives and in the lives of others. Jeremiah 1:6, Mathew 6:33, Galatians 5:16–21

Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” — Jeremiah 1:6

Again we see that instead of Jeremiah planning how he could prepare to become a prophet, he is pointing out excuses.

The God who created you knows you better than you know your self and so if you put in efforts in fulfilling His purpose He will enable you.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. — Mathew 6:33

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [a]adultery, [b]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [c]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. — Galatians 5:16–21

6. Do not fear, Just believe Jeremiah 1:8, Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10

Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. — Jeremiah 1:8

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ — Isaiah 41:10

Conclusion

I, therefore, the prisoner [a]of the Lord, [b]beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in [c]you all.

7 But to each one of us, grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”

- Ephesians 4:1–8, 11

Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. — Psalm 37:4