Prosper

Over the past fifty years, there have been hundreds, if not thousands, of Christian books written about prosperity. Many of those books are based on sound teaching and understanding of God’s principles. For example, sowing and reaping is a natural and spiritual truth. God’s plan is to bless His people, not to harm them. Jesus did say that whoever follows Him would reap “now in the present age, houses, brothers and sisters...”


The aim of this book is not to refute or really even add to the work of many books that have taught the true values of God’s design for His people to have and receive financial blessing. This book is broader than finances. Finances are important, to be sure, but life is more than money. Jesus said, “Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?” He taught us to think about more than material things. Just before that, in Matthew 6:24 (NIV), He said, “No man can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and money.” Too often, we fall into the trap of believing that money is the proof of God’s favor. Because it’s at the center of our interaction with the things we need to live and function in modern society, money becomes the tool and the gauge for determining how blessed we are. But life is more than a “give to get” plan. Life is more than budgets and spreadsheets and 401Ks, though all those things are necessary. Life is not what we possess. Life is what we pass on to others. Life is not just building a financial inheritance for your children; it’s modeling an abundant heart of gratitude that infects everyone around you.


I chose the title for this book very strategically. You see, a prosperous life is a generous life. A generous life is a blessed life. Regardless of material accumulation, the Bible promises that the “generous person will prosper, and whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” To prosper means to have abundance in many areas. Physical health. Spiritual peace. Marital bliss. Joyful children. A great reputation. The list could go on and on. You get the point.


Being blessed is about what you have left over after you’ve paid your bills. Prospering is not about buying things you can’t afford to impress others. In fact, Solomon, who had more material wealth than anyone in history warned, “it’s better to have a sleeping dog than a dead lion.” He meant that it was better to have something effective and useful but less impressive on the surface than to have a majestic creature that has no power because it’s dead. It’s no benefit to have a superficially impressive possession if it was paid for by incurring a huge debt you can’t afford. It’s better to have a less significant house or car that you can afford, than to carry the crushing burden of debt and live under stress and worry.


Too often, instead of thanking God we have a roof over our head (which billions of people don’t), we only pray for a bigger roof over our head. My true prayer is that you would prosper. But, as John writes, “I pray that you prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” So, that’s my prayer as well. I pray that as you read this book, you understand the full meaning of a prosperous life. I pray that you comprehend the breadth and depth of God’s desire for your life. A life meant to be lived without needless anxiety and worry about tomorrow. A life that is generous, and therefore blessed. I pray that you prosper.


Steve Kelly