Introduction
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| Rev'd G. S. Adeyemo |
I welcome you all to this year’s Church Growth Conference in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. As the Lord had promised so I declare that you will be a blessing to the Church of God and your generation in Jesus name. Our theme for this year is Building Prosperous Kingdom People. The church of God is facing difficult times due to myriads of challenges especially poverty which is also the root cause of insecurity. This is a satanic strategy of putting pressure on the body of Christ in this end time. However God says, “And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen anymore.” Ezekiel 34:29. How will God do this? The Bible offers answer to that in verse 26 of the same Chapter. It says, “And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.”
Observations
The work of Mission and Evangelism which is the core mandate of the church needs resources to thrive. I am glad that the Lord had promised that we will be a blessing and there shall be showers of blessings. The key to unlock the showers of blessings is faithful stewardship.
Prosperity in the Biblical perspective goes beyond money and materialism. Though we need finance and materials to do mission, yet we are called to prosper in its entirety. The Lord says, “18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:18
We have different opinions about prosperity. While some believe Prosperity is a mark of salvation others believe it is of the devil and no wealthy person can enter the kingdom of God. I am going to share with you few things that will by the grace of God open your understanding to biblical perspectives on prosperity. These are:
God Wants Us to Prosper
There are many Bible references pointing to the facts that God wants us to prosper in all areas of our life especially in fulfilling our stewardship. “Wealth does not drop from the sky. “Wealth is generated by those who have the power to make wealth. God rarely directly gives people money. Rather He gives people the power to create wealth for themselves” Deut 8:18; Gen. 8:22; Matth. 6:33-36; Luk. 11:13; 2 Peter 1: 3-8;Gen. 22:15-18; 2 Chro. 1:11
God Prospers Those Who Obey Him
The transforming power of God in the believer causes prosperity especially when you walk with Him in fear and obedience. Psalms 92:12-14; Proverbs 3:5,6; 33; 4:22; 5:21; 10:6,7,11,16,1722; 27; 11:16; 12:20,28; 13:21; 16:7;22:4, 28:10; 29:18; Mal. 3: 10; Lev 26: 3-11;
Prosperity is God's Prerogative not a Contract
We are God's stewards required to serve, sacrifice and give account of our stewardship to the Master. It is the prerogative of the Master to give or not to give back in the physical. Do not work or serve just because you want your needs to be met. Whatever you do in the Lord is made possible through Him. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Phill. 2:13; John 15:16;
Conclusion
God is the Author of all things visible and invisible. He gives possessions to whoever he wishes not because of what we do for Him. At the same time God promised to reward those who diligently seek and serve Him. Jesus tells us what can facilitate the prosperity we are hoping for. “31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:31-33
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