As Christians, we’ve most likely noticed the world’s obsession with financial wealth. We live in an environment that encourages a “Money isn’t everything, it’s the only thing” mindset. There’s nothing wrong with becoming wealthy and acquiring material possessions, as long as we don’t forget who we are during the journey. For real and lasting prosperity, we need God’s Word to keep us focused on the correct priorities.

When some people talk about money, their eyes light up like they’re seeing dancing dollar signs; however, the world sees prosperity only in monetary terms. It’s okay to be prosperous, as long as we realize that God’s definition of this concept goes way beyond simply the financial realm. “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John 1:2). The blessing of godly prosperity is to experience success not just in our finances, but in every other area of life as well. This is what God wants for us.

During His ministry, Jesus spent a great deal of time teaching about money and how to have the right relationship with it. God is aware that we need money, but it can lead us astray if we attach too much importance to it. “But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:9, 10, NLT). Money is simply a tool to accomplish what’s really important in life, which is helping others and sharing God’s Word with them. Putting it above all else opens us up to pain and suffering.

Whatever the currency, money is just coins, paper, and ink, but it’s amazing how it can influence our way of thinking. Some individuals take great pride in building their own little empire with a large bank account. Others steal it, because they don’t believe God’s promise to provide for those who trust Him. We are not our own source of financial success. “If you start thinking to yourselves, ‘I did all this. And all by myself. I’m rich. It’s all mine!’—well, think again. Remember that GOD, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today” (Deuteronomy 8:17, 18, MSG).

The world’s viewpoint concerning money is backward. It admires the “self-made” millionaires; however, putting money over God will backfire, leaving us penniless and miserable. Believers must be careful not to get pulled into this mindset. “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:16, 17).

God’s will for His children is not to be broke and poor. His plans for us include lives rich in all good things. This includes excellent health, happy relationships, peace, and joy, as well as financial blessings. “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22). Believing that God loves us and doesn’t want to see us struggle financially positions us for true prosperity.

For more on how wealth and prosperity relate to God’s will for the believer, click on the link below to find the book, You’re Supposed to be Wealthy, in our eStore.