Secret to prosper
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Secrets to prosper
Secrets to prosper
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
Biblical Prosperity is 3 fold - spirit, soul and body
Prosper in all things
Grace & Hardwork
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
8 Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything —every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do.
Secret 1
Change of mind and Biblical perspective
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, Jesus
2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.
12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him. 13 The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; 14 for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him.
Jacob
43 Thus the man became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks, female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.
Joseph
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.
40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”
52 And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
6 Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth.
Israel
8 “The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you. 9 “The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways. 10 Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you. 11 And the Lord will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you. 12 The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.
David, Solomon
Was Jesus Prosperous
Biblical Economics by S.R. Watkins, Ph.D
Jesus was rich from childhood
11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Dr. Daniels from Adelaide - a bricklayer to billionaire - hired a theologian and historian - $450 Million USD (minimum) - Jesus was set for life
2. Jesus was born into the Royal line of David
- King and priest - both brought higher status in the Israeli society - Jesus rubbed shoulders with the wealthy and the influential from the earliest age
3. Mary and Joseph had a house in Bethlehem
11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
2 years after Jesus’s birth- This tells us Jesus parents owned a house in Bethlehem
4. Jesus was well educated
41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” 49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. 51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
If he was a poor peasant child, the religious leaders would never have let Him sit in those discussions - Tanak scrolls are very expensive - money to be educated under different Rabbis
5. Jesus had a job
3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.
6. Jesus had a treasurer
29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.
Why would a group of middle income wage earners need a treasurer?
7. Jesus had a staff of twelve and later a bigger staff of seventy-two disciples
Jesus did not call them to be destined to a life of poverty
8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.
Treasurer - Jesus had a good deal of income for His ministry
8. People Financially supported Jesus’ Ministry
2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.
Jesus had financial partners -
9: Jesus disciples were all successful businessmen
4 - fisherman - Matthew tax collector - Luke - Doctor
Jesus looked for men who had proven they knew how to work, be successful and productive
10. Jesus was so blessed he wore designer clothes
23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece.
Jesus wore a tunic a kind of a robe . It is quite difficult in those days to weave a tunic with no seam, it would have been a custom tailored for Him ( Armani or Calvin Klein Suit)
11. Jesus paid taxes
24 After they arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay the tax for the upkeep of the temple, like the rest of us?”
Who pay taxes?
12. Jesus owned a house
19 Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
abode - to be held, kept, continually ( not a temporary dwelling)
12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,
How do you live if you don’t have a home? -Lake side home
1 A few days later, when Jesus came back to Capernaum, the news spread that he was at home. 2 Many people gathered together so that there was no room in the house, not even outside the door. And Jesus was teaching them God’s message. 3 Four people came, carrying a paralyzed man.
13. Jesus gave to the poor
14. Understanding the phrase “Jesus Became Poor”
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
If Jesus became poor it means He was not poor to begin with
“Jesus went from riches to rags so that we could go from rags to riches”
At that time there was no middle class - rich and poor
We become rich when we become join heirs with Christ
The word in greek rich is - with money
15. The first miracle Jesus performed was one of extravagant, unnecessary luxury - wine
16. The disciples did not question His ability to spend a fortune—
37 But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”
17. Jesus had much wealth that apparent waste was not an issue
Perfume - $30,000 to $60,000
10 But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. 11 For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. 12 For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial.
18. Jesus never lacked
35 And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.”
We can experience Kingdom blessings when we believe God’s promise are for us, align with them, receive and act on God’s wisdom concerning steps to take, and passionately purse them
13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
17 I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
“The blessing of the Lord makes us rich and will not add sorrow to it”
Part 2: Secrets to prosper
1. Patience and endurance
2. Biblical principles of giving
