Introduction
There are a lot of misconceptions and misbeliefs when it comes to Biblical wealth, success, and prosperity.
Despite what you may have been taught, God doesn't want you to go through life struggling to barely scrape by. He wants to see you prosper, succeed, and thrive in every area of your life, including your finances!
In this eBook, you'll learn five truths found in the Bible that might challenge your perspective on how God views success. You'll begin to see that God is not a God of scarcity, but one of increase and growth!
Success is God-Approved
Some spiritual teaching, though it may sound Biblical, can be misleading. The good news is, by continually growing in God’s Word, we can know the truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
For example, you may have heard that poverty is godly or that prosperity is sinful. However, Deuteronomy 8:18 explains that God is not against wealth, but instead empowers us to succeed and prosper. In fact, the topic of finances is addressed frequently in the Bible, because God knows that money is a necessary part of our lives.
“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”
Deuteronomy 8:18 (NKJV)
His Word reminds us that prospering is not only allowed, but is also considered advantageous because there’s a God-given purpose attached. The reality is that finances can help us gain influence and “get the Word out” to many more people for the Kingdom.
After all, we don’t serve an impoverished God; we serve a loving, generous God! If God’s plan for us was scarcity, He would want everything we work toward to fail, but Jeremiah 29:11 says His plans are to prosper us and give us hope.
He doesn’t want us to start businesses hoping for bankruptcy or marry expecting to divorce! Everything in our lives—whether it’s marriage, relationships, health, career, or finances—is intended to grow and succeed.
Keep reading God’s Word, knowing that regardless of where you live, who you are, your skin colour, or your background, the call of God is on your life. He’s given you the power and permission to dream and succeed!
You Can Manage Success With Integrity
Often, we hear that God opposes prosperity because wealth can derail us from serving Him. The truth is, we have Holy Spirit within us to help us stay on track!
Sometimes we think Holy Spirit’s power works in our lives just to help us teach or preach, or lay hands on the sick for healing. While it’s true that His power works through us in these ways, there’s so much more.
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon gives us a multi-layered definition of what this power includes. The first definition is “inherent power,” referring to the fact that when we give our lives to Christ, we are instantly filled with Holy Spirit who resides inside us. The second definition is “power for performing miracles,” which refers to Holy Spirit’s power in us that we can release for health and protection.
What we often forget is the third definition: “moral power and excellence of soul.” Holy Spirit’s power within us helps us live with moral excellence, meaning He empowers us with the ability to stand strong against the temptation to use wealth selfishly. Empowered by Holy Spirit, we can rise up in prosperity, position, and influence, and represent Christ effectively in the areas to which we’re called.
Holy Spirit helps and guides us so that our prosperity becomes a tool useable by God to make a difference in this world now and for generations to come!
You Have the Power to Succeed
We’ve been talking about what the Bible has to say about prosperity. Having Holy Spirit within us can empower us to keep standing strong for God as we gain success.
According to the NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon, another thing Holy Spirit’s power in us includes is the power and influence that belong to riches and wealth. This idea challenges the “poverty mindset” that is all too prevalent in the church, but it’s true. This power He brings us isn’t limited to only “spiritual” things.
In the corporate world for example, Holy Spirit can empower you to find creative ways to build your business, handle people and situations, and build influence—not just where you live but around the world!
The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honour and life.
Proverbs 22:4 (NLT)
Why would Holy Spirit be interested in helping you gain influence and success? Some of the people you network with in your office or area of expertise may never hear a pastor speak. But they’ll see your actions, hear your words, and be influenced by your example because of the reputation you’ve gained. God works through us in creative ways!
Holy Spirit’s power is within you to guide you to soar into realms of influence. He wants to help you grow and prosper in every area of life, and at the same time help you wield the power and influence that comes with every increase in position. He wants you to enjoy your success, and at the same time help you to use your position to further God’s Kingdom and reach the lost.
God Wants You to Think Bigger
Whatever we put our hands to, God wants it to grow. He needs us to think bigger!
In the NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon, one of the definitions of Holy Spirit’s power in our lives is described as “power and resources arising from numbers.” That means Holy Spirit’s power in us affects anything related to growth in quantity.
For example, you might have only one or two staff members in your business, but could you grow to handle ten? Fifty? A hundred? If you’re at hundreds, what about thousands?
Maybe you’ve heard the legalistic religious belief that God curbs our success at a certain point to keep us small or humble. In order to grow and surge ahead, though, we can’t hold onto this flawed thinking.
There’s incredible power and influence that arises from numbers, whether it’s related to customers, buildings, or finances. We actuallyhold power through the indwelling of Holy Spirit to increasenumbers, and doing so can gain us influence for the Kingdom.
“He did all this so you would never say to yourself, 'I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.'”
Deuteronomy 8:17 (NLT)
If the secular business world has no problem handling growth in business even across multiple countries, as believers we should be all the more encouraged, realizing we have an internal source of power to help us do the same and beyond!
Getting rid of small thinking frees us to hear from Holy Spirit as He leads us to new heights! God’s will is to do great things through us for the Kingdom. It’s part of our purpose to lead with continual increase in every area, and Holy Spirit is there to help us every step of the way.
You Have Everything You Need!
As believers, we have everything we need to build a successful life because of Jesus in us. He qualified us for every promise in the Bible, which means those promises are ours.
For example, when we're sick and we confess God’s Word over our bodies, we declare, “Body, you are healthy and whole in Jesus’ name.” We aren’t lying; we’re simply speaking the truth of what we are in Him.
The trouble is, we often play the blame game when things go wrong in life, telling ourselves things like, “University is too hard for someone like me” or “The devil’s attacks are too strong for me.” Thoughts like these place false limits on who we are in Christ. After all, how could the devil be too strong for us if Jesus is in us—the same Jesus who defeated the devil and now holds all authority? (See Matthew 28:18.)
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Hosea 4:6 (KJV)
Excuses and devil-blaming stops us from taking responsibility and places us in a zone where we’re unable to change. Notice the Bible doesn’t say, “My people are destroyed because of the enemy’s attack.” It actually points out the problem is a lack of knowledge.
Let's say issues are rising up in an organization you help run. It's important to accept responsibility, because then you can begin to look for the root cause. If knowledge is what’s lacking, an achievable solution would be gaining more skills or understanding in that area.
If we pair this approach with studying God’s Word daily, nothing will stand in the way of our success. We’re able to rise up and move forward with the correct belief systems in place. It’s time we lose that old voice inside that says, “I can’t,” because in Christ, we can!
Conclusion
God wants every area of your life to flourish. That desire doesn't just apply to your marriage, family, or life goals; it applies to your finances and success too!
Let's go over the five Biblical truths about success we covered in the chapters above:
- Chapter 1: Success is God-Approved. God is not a God of scarcity and lack, but of success and growth!
- Chapter 2: You Can Manage Success With Integrity. Holy Spirit is in you to guide you in your success and help you achieve moral excellence.
- Chapter 3: You Have the Power to Succeed. You are called to influence those around you through your success and prosperity.
- Chapter 4: God Wants You to Think Bigger. Get rid of small thinking, because you were meant to continually grow and increase.
- Chapter 5: You Have Everything You Need! Change your mindset on success from “I can't” to “I can do anything through Holy Spirit's power within me!”
God has such incredible plans for your life. He wants to use you to influence those around you for the Kingdom in ways that no one else can. Continue to be faithful with what you have, believe Him for increase, and keep your eyes focused on where He's taking you!
