Passing the Prosperity Test

Dream to Destiny Week 8

Passing the Prosperity Test

Robert Morris

Genesis 41:25

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do:

Genesis 41:26

The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years; the dreams are one.

Genesis 41:27

And the seven thin and ugly cows which came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty heads blighted by the east wind are seven years of famine.

Genesis 41:28

This is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do.

Genesis 41:29

Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt;

Genesis 41:30 but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land.

Genesis 41:31

So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe.

Genesis 41:32

And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

Genesis 41:33

Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:34

Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years.

Genesis 41:35

And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.

Genesis 41:36

Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine.”

This is the Prosperity Test!

• Everyone is taking, and has taken, and will take this test!

• We have to understand that all of us are living in prosperity!

• If you want to understand poverty, look at how 2/3 of the world lives.

Average Income Per Year

United States

$70,000

Germany

$52,000

Israel

$49,000

France

$43,000

Poland

$16,000

Mexico

$9,000

Ukraine

$4,000

India

$2,000

Cambodia

$1,500

Sudan

$670

Afghanistan $500

What do you do when you get a little extra money?

• Do you tithe on it? Do you pay down debt?

• Do you save it? Do you blow it?

Just as power will test all of us, so will money.

• God uses money to test our hearts.

• Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be!”

People have sold their souls for money.

• People have abandoned their families for money.

• Does money control us or do we control it?

1. Put God first.

Has God ever blessed you with some unexpected money?

• Did you tithe off of it?

• Why would He give you more?

We pray for a bonus and then don’t tithe on it! Thank God for it!

• Why would God increase you or give you extra money

• If you prove to Him that you won’t be faithful with it?

Joseph acknowledged God first and that’s why God blessed him with the wisdom to handle wealth!

Genesis 41:50

And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him.

Genesis 41:51

Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house.”

Genesis 41:52

And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For Godhas caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Joseph gave thanks to God for saving him in the naming of his firstborn!

• Then he gave thanks for blessing him!

• He always put God first! “For God…”

Genesis 47:26

And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt to this day, that Pharaoh should have one-fifth, except for the land of the priests only, which did not become Pharaoh’s.

This was God’s principle, not Egypt’s!

• They had no idea that the land of the priests belonged to God!

• Joseph set aside God’s portion for the priests first!

Because the tithe belongs to God! This is really what tithing is all about.

• Who is first in your life!

• Do you trust God enough to believe and obey His word?

Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.

Putting God first is all through the Bible!

• Cain and Abel! Jericho! Abraham and Isaac!

• God asks for the firstborn sheep; It takes faith to give the first one!

No matter how many budgets and financial plans you work,

• If God is not first, you won’t be blessed!

• Once we started giving the first 10%, everything changed!

2. Learn to wait.

Proverbs 28:20

A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

Many people suffer financially and make foolish financial decisions • Because they are trying to get rich quick!

• Remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Don’t you think there was pressure on Joseph not to save so much?

It’s always a God decision, but sometimes • It’s a math decision!

• It’s not an emotional decision!

Seven Reasons to Have a Budget

1. Helps Us See Things More Clearly and Objectively

2. Makes Us Examine and Clarify Our Values and Priorities

3. Provides a Basis of Discussion and Agreement

4. Provides a Basis for Accountability

5. Helps Us Live Within Our Means

6. Helps Us Live Without Debt or Without Much Debt

7. Builds Character and Discipline in Our Lives

Joseph developed such a good budget that he fed the world for 7 years!

When your spouse asks for something, this is what you say. •I would like to buy that for you but let’s see what Mr. Budget says!

• Oh! Mr. Budget said No! I’m sorry!”

This family heard me preach and went to McDonalds once a week

• Their 4 year old asked if they could go twice. Mr. Budget says no

• She said, “I hate Mr. Budget!”

3. Live below your means.

1 Timothy 6:6

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:7

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

1 Timothy 6:8

And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

1 Timothy 6:9

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.

1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Contentment means: “I’m thankful for what I have today”

“I’m trusting God for the timing and provision of my future desires.”

• When we live above our means we’re declaring to God,

• “I’m not content with your provision and I’m not content with you!”

Mark 4:18

“Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word,

Mark 4:19

and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”

Don’t be deceived by money!

• Money has the power to deceive!

• The deceitfulness of riches leads many people away from God!

I’m literally shocked that people don’t understand how to manage money.

• I see young couples living in nice homes or apartments, • And driving nice vehicles and in huge debt!

We’ve counseled people, seen their income and expenses, and are shocked

• Many of you do not make enough to support your lifestyle

• You could eliminate most of the stress in your life!

If you’re not living on less than 70% of your income, •Stop spending $4.00 on a cup of coffee!

• Joseph tithed 10% and saved 20%

God didn’t intend for us to live above our means, stressed out, and in debt.

• So, stop blaming God for your financial struggles!

• He can’t bless people who spend every penny they get and more.

Debbie and I lived in a used Mobile Home and put foil on the windows!

• I paid $6,000 for it and then sold it for $7,000.

• Then we lived with a widow for 6 months and saved money!

You will not fulfill your destiny until you pass the prosperity test!