Why Many Christians Don’t Prosper
There are quite a number of thoughts and ideologies on poverty and wealth as regards Christianity. Some see prosperity as an evil that needs to be addressed and dealt with. While others see it as a promise of God and a mandate from Him.
But in all of these, one thing we need to be sure of is that God’s plan and purpose for us as His children is for us to prosper in all ramifications.
3rd John 1: 2 NKJV says,
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
The question then is, why then do many Christians not prosper?
Ignorance
What you don’t know, will not work for you. This is one thing I’m certain of. Your level of knowledge on a particular subject or in a particular area is what unlocks the door of experience for you.
You can be in an environment where knowledge is being shared on a daily basis and still be ignorant.
It is one thing to be a Christian and it is another for you to know the promises of God concerning you and your future.
A child from a rich home can still remain poor if he doesn’t know that he’s been given access to wealth. If peradventure he knows he’s been given access, but doesn’t know how to access it, he’ll still be poor.
What does God say about you? What are His promises for you?
You’ve got a manual (Bible) that has all the secrets to accessing great wealth, but you’re still struggling to stay afloat. You’ve been given the key to prosperity, but you’re still poor and wretched because you’re ignorant.
Wrong doctrine
This is the worst thing that can happen to anyone — being taught wrongly. It has kept so many Christians bound in deep holes where no amount of light (truth) shared can liberate them.
Scriptures have been used out of context to back up the ideology of God wanting His children to be poor.
An example of such scripture is in Matthew 5:3.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…”
Apparently, they want to go to heaven, so the only criteria is for them to be and remain poor. How heart breaking.
How can you have a rich father who has blessed you with everything that pertains to life and godliness and still be poor?
He said in Psalms 115:16 NKJV
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.”
If God in all His infinite mercy has given us all the earth, what else can we ask for? Not forgetting that He also gave us the mandate to…
“Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Wrong mindset
This is another reason why many Christians remain poor.
Some set of Christians know that they can be wealthy and believe in prosperity, but their wrong mindset prevents them from partaking in this promise.
They believe that all they need to do is to fast, pray and read their Bible and all will be well. The need for them to play their part isn’t an option for them.
Like the children of Israel in the wilderness, they expect ‘manner’ to fall from heaven because they are serving God and keeping His commandments. They’ve forgotten the scripture that says;
“If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”
God has a part to play in your prosperity but you also have a part to play. Pray like your life depends on it and also Work like your life depends on it.
Take Away
Are you a Christian struggling to get by each day? You can put an end to it by digging deep into God’s word, ditch the wrong doctrines and let go of the wrong mindset you’ve been holding on to and start taking the necessary steps and actions.
When God said you shall lend to many nations and not borrow, He meant every word. So, better believe it and walk accordingly.
Remember this: It is God’s plan and purpose for you to be prosperous. Don’t be told otherwise. God’s riches are available to you if only you’ll key in.
