FOUNDATIONS GOD S BENEFIT PACKAGE LESSON #4: PROSPERITY Intro. We ve been looking at God s Benefit Package 1. We talked about God s forgiveness, His healing, and His protection Tonight we re going to look at the last benefit of this series We re promised God s provision Psalms 103:1-5 (NKJV) 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. I. GOD IS A GIVER Psalm 103:5 (NKJV) Who satisfies your mouth with good things A.W. Tozer, What comes to mind when we think of God, is the most important thing about us. A. HOW DO WE 1. Do we see God as a taker or a giver? a. The answer to this question will determine whether we serve Him with gladness or out of sheer obligation b. The answer will determine the type of giver we become; grudging or cheerful Matthew 25:24-25 (NKJV) 24 "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 1
25 'And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' c. This man saw his lord as a taker and because of his warped view, he lost out B. GOD IS Psalms 103:2 (NKJV) Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: 1. The most famous verse in all the Bible tells us this John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. a. Love and giving are inseparable Where there s love there s giving 2. This is especially true with God; He loves and He gives 1 Timothy 6:17 (NKJV) Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Acts 20:35 (NKJV) And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' a. Jesus lived His life and died because of this principal Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Our view of God is critical Whether we see him as a taker or a giver How we view Him will determine how much we re able to receive from Him Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 2
II. BECAUSE HE IS A GIVER, HE DESIRES THAT WE PROSPER WE RE GOING TO TAKE A BRIEF DETOUR HERE TO COVER AN IMPORTANT POINT A. THE REALITY OF 1. Throughout the Bible, God s people had times when they were needy Matthew 17:27 (NKJV) "Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you." Acts 3:6 (NKJV) Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." a. Paul wrote about prosperity and lack Philippians 4:11-13 (NKJV) 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. One of the most powerful verses of victory in the New Testament, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. He was specifically referring to the ability to suffer need without losing his confidence and faith that God would provide B. WHAT TO DO IF WE FIND OURSELVES IN 1. Don t feel a. Times of lack and need are a normal part of life b. Even the superstars of faith had them c. Being prosperous financially isn t necessarily a sign that we re serving God Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 3
1 Timothy 6:5 (NKJV) useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. When we find ourselves in lean times, we shouldn t feel condemned 2. Don t accept lean times as the a. We shouldn t feel that our lot in life is to always be a day late and a dollar short b. God does want to prosper us; He makes promises to provide and to bless us c. We shouldn t settle into a pattern of thinking that we ll always just get by C. IT IS GOD S WILL FOR US TO PROSPER, IT S 3 John 1:2 (NKJV) Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. Prosper means, to grant a prosperous journey; be successful Deuteronomy 28:8 (NKJV) "The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you. 1. Prosperity involves money but it s more than just money Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. a. It means God providing for us in time of need, but it s also more b. We can have our material needs met and not be prosperous Luke 12:15 (NKJV) And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." Prosperity isn t an abundance of things Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 4
Luke 12:16-21 (NKJV) 16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' 18 So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry." ' 20 But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' 21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." Prosperity isn t just money; it s a richness toward God 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NKJV) 6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. Vines Greek dictionary defines contentment as to be satisfied with Prosperity is more than having our needs met; it s a spiritual matter The ability to be content is a big part of it 2. Joseph was a prosperous man a. When he was a slave, he rose higher, and became head of Potiphar s house b. When he was in prison, he rose higher; he was a prisoner, but he prospered and ran the whole prison c. Finally, when the time was right, God had him rule all Egypt Prosperity is a spiritual matter that transcends all other natural limitations John Wesley, It is impossible to keep my converts from becoming prosperous. Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. When we put God first He will cause us to prosper Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 5
III. FOUR THINGS WE CAN DO TO INSURE WE ENJOY THE BENEFIT OF PROSPERITY A. WE NEED TO 3 John 1:2 (NKJV) Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 1. What John is doing here is praying in the will of God a. He knows it s the will of God they prosper b. He knows the will of God and now he s praying it in c. This is what Jesus meant when He said, pray Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven d. There are things that God has willed to be done in heaven that will not be accomplished on earth until we pray it in Luke 11:2-3 (NKJV) 2 So He said to them, "When you pray, say: our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. Luke 11:9-10 (NKJV) 9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. We need to pray it in B. WE NEED TO Malachi 3:10 (NKJV) Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. 1. We can t separate prosperity from giving a. Our giving opens windows in heaven Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 6
2 Corinthians 9:8-9 (NKJV) 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." b. This is talking about God s grace of provision that came out of their giving c. This is something God does for us C. WE NEED TO Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 1. God is a giver We need to believe God is a giver. We should trust and contend for His blessing D. NEED TO Psalms 103:1-2 (NKJV) Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: 1. Gratitude should be fundamental in our lives a. This is something we are sometimes deficient in b. We need to cultivate more thankfulness for God s provision in our lives PRAYER AND CONFESSION: Jesus, thank You for Your promise to help me prosper. I will trust You in my finances and believe for Your intervention in the needs of my life. I will be content with Your presence and the provision You bring, in Jesus name. Amen. Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 7
FILL IN THE BLANKS FROM LESSON #4 I. GOD IS A GIVER A. HOW DO WE (SEE GOD?) B. GOD IS (A GIVER) II. BECAUSE HE IS A GIVER, HE DESIRES THAT WE PROSPER A. THE OF REALITY OF (NEED) B. WHAT TO DO IF WE FIND OURSELVES IN (LEAN TIMES) 1. Don t feel (condemned) 2. Don t accept lean times as the (norm) C. IT IS GOD S WILL FOR US TO PROSPER, IT S (PART OF THE PACKAGE) III. FOUR THINGS WE CAN DO TO INSURE WE ENJOY THE BENEFIT OF PROSPERITY A. WE NEED TO (PRAY IT IN) B. WE NEED TO (GIVE IT IN) C. WE NEED TO (BELIEVE IT IN) D. NEED TO (PRAISE IT IN) Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 8