Biblical Keys to Financial Prosperity

This two weeks sermon is so interesting because we often think that talking about money is so not spiritual in the Christianity context and at the same time it's such a sensitive topic which many avoid discussing in fear of destroying relationships.

But at the end of the 2nd week, I realise that if the ultimate goal of having money is to bless people for God, then we'll have a totally different mindset. That way we don't need to be trapped in the mindset of being the slaves of money.

2 Corinthians 9:8

8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

- The curse of poverty shall be broken.

2 Corinthians 8:9

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

- As a child of God I can never be in lack because I cannot do anything or have any abundance to help others.
-God's will for all of us is to prosper

Biblical Key #1
- Asking & Receiving -

Matthew 7:7

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:11

11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

- Pray regularly for God to bless us financially

1 John 5:14-15

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

- Pray according to God's will -> with right motives and to fulfill my calling/function
- Focus on God
- Ask for favour: good employees, new projects, more ideas/creativity

1 Chronicles 4:10

10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

Biblical Key #2
- Sowing & Reaping -

2 Corinthians 6:6

6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love

- You must sow in order to reap (No sow no reap)

- The one who sows control the quantity of what he reaps

Luke 6:38

38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

- Tithes = 10% of income i.e the 1st fruit

- Offering = anything that is given on top of the tithe

Proverbs 3:9-10

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,

with the first fruits of all your crops;

10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,

and your vats will brim over with new wine

Malachi 3:8

8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings.

- You're a mere steward of what God has given to you

Biblical Key #3

- Diligence & Wealth -

Proverbs 10:4

4 Lazy hands make for poverty,

but diligent hands bring wealth

Proverbs 21:5

5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit

as surely as haste leads to poverty.

- Take shortcuts to earn money & money will not stay long

- God finds favour in you, He will shorten the years taken to reap

Biblical Key #4

- Contentment & Abundance -

Ecclesiastes 5:10

10 Whoever loves money never has enough;

whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.

This too is meaningless.

- Never satisfied if love wealth

Hebrews 13:5

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you.”

Signs of Poverty / Having Mindset of Poverty

- Hoarder => anything that others don't want you will take

- Stingy => kiamsiap

- Don't know how to receive => don't let people belanja you or give you stuff

When what we earn is just enough to cover our basic needs, we don't have extra to give or help others.

We lack of the money to even support our basic needs, so how can we give and bless others?

We have more than we need, thus it's abundance and we can use it to bless and help others.

Of course, if our standard of living increases, the gap between Just Enough and Abundance will be shorten thus we'll find it hard to use the extra money to help others.

In conclusion, it's very crucial to have knowledge of financial planning and controlling. I believe it really helps in having a stable life and to help others. :)