Most people just want a decent life, a safe place to raise their children, a good job, food on their table, a place they can call home, an annual holiday, and schools where their kids can thrive and have a better future.
The world we live in today faces the same obstacles that previous generations have had to face. True prosperity affects our spirit, soul, and body; it’s the ability to be at peace in any given situation. There is nothing wrong with wanting to prosper financially. Money is a very powerful tool in the right hands. Money of itself isn’t evil; the Bible says this:
‘For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.’ 1 Timothy 6:10
The answers to all sorts of money issues can be found in the Bible.
Money and possessions are the second most referenced topic in the Bible and the message is clear: nowhere in Scripture is debt viewed in a positive way.
The writers of the Bible anticipated the problems we would have with money and possessions; there are more than 2,000 references concerning money! Our whole culture is now built on the premise that we have to have more money and more stuff to feel happy and secure. We have too much stuff because we’ve bought into the myth, fabricated by advertising, that more stuff equals more happiness. That’s the total opposite of the truth, and the opposite of what it says in the Bible.
The Bible is an excellent financial adviser, whether or not you’re a believer.
God wants us to prosper in all areas of our lives.
“Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favour my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” Psalm 35:27 NKJ
If you start thinking to yourselves, “I did all this. And all by myself. I’m rich. It’s all mine!”—well, think again. Remember that God, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:18 MSG
Mathew 6:19 – 34 instructs us how to prosper.
19 “Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal;21 for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centres] will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so if your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive], your whole body will be full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts]. 23 But if your eye is bad [spiritually blind], your whole body will be full of darkness [devoid of God’s precepts]. So if the [very] light inside you [your inner self, your heart, your conscience] is darkness, how great and terrible is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].
The Cure for Anxiety
25 “Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the harvest] nor gather [the crops] into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And who of you by worrying can add one [a]hour to [the length of] his life?28 And why are you worried about clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow; they do not labour nor do they spin [wool to make clothing], 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory and splendour dressed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ 32 For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:19 – 34 AMP
Seek first His Kingdom!
What does His Kingdom look like?
We find the answer to that in the previous chapter, taken from what is known as the Lord’s prayer, ‘May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’.
God's kingdom is the reign of Jesus, the realm where Jesus' authority is acknowledged and obeyed. To seek God's kingdom is to desire Jesus' rule to be recognized and obeyed in three realms:
1) within our own life.
2) in our circle of immediate influence.
3) as far around the world as we can reach.
Jesus told this story in Matthew 13
“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! 9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
Jesus then went on to explain to his disciples the meaning of the story.
18 “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: 19 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. 20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
I was first introduced to Jesus when I was 13. My family weren't believers, so I quickly fell through the church cracks. By the time I was 21 my mother had become a closet Christian and she invited me to church. Unfortunately, on that day there was a visiting speaker whose message was delivered in a strong Scottish accent (no offence to any Scot reading this) whose communication skills were of a bygone age. I walked out of there more disillusioned than when I walked in. (The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.23)
I began to make some bad choices in my life and by the time I was 31 there was a cry in my heart that said, ‘There must be more to life than this!'
December of '83 my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and the prognosis wasn't good. I saw the fear in her eyes and felt it in my own heart. I remember that I was trying to read a newspaper only to realise that I was holding it upside down! She had the operation to remove a breast and we were told that this would give her a little extra time. My mom didn't like to talk about her faith, but she did like to go to church. When the people who normally drove her there couldn't do it any longer I filled that role, twice on Sunday and once mid-week. I felt like a duck out of water, like I was in an alternative dimension, way out of my comfort zone - but somehow something was stirring, coming alive on the inside of me. Shortly after that I surrendered my life to Jesus.
I would like to say that everything was great after this, but I found myself in such a battle - church situations and politics were being discussed in front of me (a new Christian) and my mother, who herself was battling cancer. A church leader said to me, ‘Wait till the honeymoon is over.’ All I knew was that my heart had been captivated by Jesus and somehow, He gave me the grace to get through the upsets with my mom, which nearly destroyed our relationship. Sadly, my mom died a few months before my second daughter was born. This time the devil wasn’t going to steal the seed that had been sown in my heart.
King Solomon said it best: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
This is necessary for at least three reasons:
1.Because your heart is extremely valuable. We don’t guard worthless things.
2.Because your heart is the source of everything you do. King Solomon says it is the “wellspring of life.” In other words, it is the source of everything else in your life. Your heart overflows into thoughts, words, and actions. If your heart is unhealthy it has an impact on everything else. It threatens your family, your friends, your ministry, your career, and, indeed, your legacy. It is, therefore, imperative that you guard it.
3.Because your heart is under constant attack. When Solomon says to guard your heart, he implies that you are living in a combat zone—one in which there are casualties. Many of us are oblivious to the reality of this war. We have an enemy who is bent on our destruction. He not only opposes God, but he opposes everything that is aligned with Him—including us.
We seek first the kingdom of God as we influence our immediate circle of family and friends. What does that look like?
I have learnt over the years that obedience is the number one key!
An example of this is found in 1 Samuel 15:22.
But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
You can’t obey what you don’t know, so reading the Bible especially with Holy Spirit who is our teacher is essential. If you don’t read your Bible, how will you understand His kingdom? Be willing with the help of Holy Spirit to put into practice what you read! Develop intimacy with Holy Spirit, this involves time and allowing Him access to your heart. Being vulnerable, letting others help you.
I was so self-sufficient and used to living in my head, but I wanted Him more than my fears. It wasn’t a quick fix; it was a journey of discovery of who He was and how much He loved me and, on that journey, discovering just how kind and good He is!
It was also fun along the way! I got to discover the gifts of the Spirit, that I could lay hands on the sick and they would be healed. Some people I’ve prayed for have been healed, others like my mother died and she was only 55 years of age! Babies and friends have died and my heart was torn apart, but I know He’s good and that He has paid the full price for our healing. I will not throw in the towel and stop praying for the sick because some people die or remain ill. I will draw closer and let Him comfort me. I have stopped asking the ‘why’ questions as he has led me to ask ‘how can I bring your kingdom down to earth?’ The enemy wants us to focus on the don’t haves and kill our faith and stop us praying for the sick. He wants to silence us, stop us from sharing our testimonies, stop us from using the prophetic to encourage others. To stop us from casting out demons and setting people free. Don’t you long for your shadow to heal the sick, work a miracle and have the gift of faith?
We owe the world an encounter with God! Saying no isn’t an option any longer. We need the reverential fear of the Lord to grip us so that we not only seek first His kingdom but His righteousness! His way of doing things and being obedient when He instructs us to do things. It's an awesome honour to minister to another person especially in their vulnerability!
Find your freedom in the secret place with Holy Spirit.
I had the wonderful privilege of going to Toronto during the outpouring and spending hours on the floor shaking and weeping under the presence of the Holy Spirit, each time getting up changed - more in love with Jesus and a greater passion in my heart for people. Don’t waste your time listening to YouTube warning you of the ‘dangers’ of such meetings due to the manifestations of the Spirit. The fruit will speak for itself! Seek a relationship with Holy Spirit and He will lead you into truth - the truth that will set you free, put a passion in your heart and a compulsion to walk in His love and give it away!
I walk the streets looking near and far.
What do I see, what do I see?
I look for those who will lend me their eyes.
To allow me to show them far and wide.
I look into the souls of men and long to set them free, to set them free.
Some shuffle along wrecked in pain, hiding torment and hiding shame.
I hear singing and laughter as others declare my name.
I watch those whose feet pound these streets, tormented by demons having no sleep.
I look and I see, I look and I see the mothers and fathers who feel the weight of responsibility.
What do I see? What do I see?
I see you, I see you.
No longer in fear, no longer in shame, no longer pounding those streets,
delivered at peace.
You lent me your eyes, now give me your hands and your feet.
What do I see? What do I see?
I see an army rising from its knees, taking my love and power to these streets.
I hear your voices proclaiming truth.
I see your shadows healing the sick.
I see dancing and joy as my word is proclaimed.
The streets are at peace, my joy complete.
What do you see? What do you see?
Do you see opportunities to be My hands and My feet?
A voice to encourage, a voice of My love.
A voice declaring My name.
My name is Jesus!
After he spoke these words, Holy Spirit invited me to join him in a walk around the city so that he could share his heart with me. No doubt it will be an interesting time!
As you seek first and foremost God's kingdom all the other things that you need will be added to your life!
But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33 AMP
Are YOU ready for a walk?
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