THE FAITH WALK does not ignore the natural laws of the universe, which actually are God’s laws. As Christians, we need to apply biblical teaching and spiritual principles in day-to-day living. We also must not abandon practical wisdom and common sense in the financial area of our lives.
AS A RULE, GOD DOES NOT SUPERNATURALLY PERFORM WHAT WE HAVE THE POWER TO DO FOR OURSELVES. Most people discover that only after they have done all they know and have the power to do does God step in and do what only He can do.
For example, there is no question that God can miraculously heal our human bodies. I personally was raised up from my deathbed and made completely whole. Over the years, I have seen many people healed of everything from headaches to cancers.
Just because God can and does heal doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t use common sense in taking care of our bodies, eating the right foods, exercising, working in a reasonable way, and getting proper rest. Nor should a person with a disease stop his medical treatment and abandon all reason and common sense. It would be folly, not faith, for a person with diabetes to keep eating large quantities of starchy, sugary foods, saying that he was trusting God to heal him.
In the same sense, it would be ridiculous for people to try to “look prosperous” by buying all kinds of luxurious items and charging them to credit cards that already have payments they can’t afford.
“I believe God is going to provide the money to pay off my debts somehow, some way,” they say. “I’m expecting a miracle blessing.” “Maybe He’ll help me to win the lottery!”
Obviously, these people’s expectations are based on mistaken understandings and wrong motives. There is no balance between faith and reality in their lives. With so little wisdom and spiritual discernment to draw upon, these people are easily deceived and led further astray by misguided or unscrupulous religious promoters.
While God can channel blessings to us from many sources, much of the time He uses our job as the primary channel.
Is Giving the Only Key to Prosperity?
In teaching prosperity, too many preachers seem to communicate the idea that receiving financial abundance is totally and exclusively tied to one thing—giving . . . and usually to them! Don’t misunderstand me. I believe in giving. I believe that giving is important. But it is not the only key to prosperity.
My son, Rev. Kenneth W. Hagin, is pastor of Rhema Bible Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. From time to time, he preaches about prosperity to his congregation, which includes a large number of young people, many of them students at Rhema Bible Training College.
Ken includes a lot of scriptures from the Word of God that define prosperity and show that it is definitely included in God’s will for His people today. As part of the Bible lesson, Ken teaches about tithing and giving as vital elements of biblical prosperity.
We Can Make Our Way Prosperous
Ken stresses that knowing and doing what the Bible says has a direct relationship to our prosperity. Joshua 1:8 declares, “This book of the law [the Word of God] shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
The Bible doesn’t just speak about God prospering us. It also speaks of us making our own way prosperous. That’s why Ken doesn’t deal with only the spiritual aspect of prosperity. He also encourages young people to identify their skills and interests and then seek God as to how He might be leading them vocationally. They should get the best education they possibly can and gain a broad range of knowledge about the world they live in. He advises adults who would like to advance on their jobs to take classes and get extra training.
Hard Work Brings Prosperity
Ken also teaches people to work hard and to be diligent in performing their duties on their jobs. In most cases, workers who take an interest in their work and do a good job are recognized and rewarded for what they do. It’s true that we should trust in God as our Source rather than placing all our confidence in a job or the economy. But that doesn’t mean that financial prosperity is totally unrelated to a person’s occupation.
While God can channel blessings to us from many sources, much of the time He uses our job as the primary channel. TYPICALLY, THERE IS A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ONE’S PERSONAL FINANCIAL PROSPERITY AND THE AMOUNT OF RESPONSIBILITY HE OR SHE TAKES ON AT WORK. Folks who work harder and in more specialized, skilled fields—those whose abilities are in greater demand—receive a greater financial reward.
Paul told the Thessalonians, “Work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing” (1 Thess. 4:11–12).
He also declared, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Col. 3:23).
Let’s strive to maintain balance in every area, including the area of finances and prosperity. Remember to look to the whole counsel of God’s Word while not neglecting practical wisdom and common sense. This will help us to stay in the middle of the road at all times.
Author
Kenneth E. Hagin
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