INTRODUCTION:

In our last study, we explained the meaning and importance of spiritual prosperity. We also explained that the promise in 3 John 2 is for the beloved of the Lord and we examined those who are qualified to be so called. In that study, we also examined the forces that aid and those that can hinder our journey on the pathway to spiritual prosperity.Today we will be discussing the significance of spiritual prosperity. For those who are truly abundantly settled in the scripture by Jere.29:11. It is sin that thwarts God’s plan for man. However when you come back to God, you can then discover His glorious plan for your life. I pray that as we study at His feet today, we will be challenged to pursue His plan for our lives in Jesus name. 

1.      SIGNIFICANCE OF SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY

Spiritual prosperity is the master key to all other prosperity in a man’s life. This is evident in the account of Job’s life and others like Noah, Abraham etc. Each of these men excelled all others in their quest for God. Purity makes a man reflect the image and likeness of God.  Contact with God through holy living grants one access to treasures and blessings of God. The truth is that, when your life is out of God, your destiny will be out of order; you become like a plane without compass. Those who forsake the pathway of spiritual prosperity with God have no peace with Him; when you have no peace with God, all areas of your life will be fragmented and in pieces. Paying attention to other areas of life while neglecting our spiritual well being is like building a house without a foundation.

Job.1:1-3, 10; Gen.5:22, Gen.6:9; Exo.33:11, Rom.5:1, Lk.12:16-21; Ps.16:4; 2Chro.20:7; 2Pet.2:5; Ps.45:7; Heb.1:8-9. 2.     

SEVEN STEPS TO SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY

The Journey to spiritual prosperity will almost certainly incorporate the following vital steps –

(a)    Repentance and Salvation – The first and unavoidable wrong in the ladder of spiritual prosperity is repentance which leads automatically to salvation –Acts3:19.

(b)   Holy living – Holiness is imbibing the nature and lifestyle of God. It involves a deliberate refusal to yield to temptation; you cannot do this until you release you will power to God’s control. – 1Pet.1:15-16; Gen.39:7-12; Acts.24:16.

(c)    Daily devotional life – If you want to be spiritually prosperous, you must have an insatiable hunger and thirst for God.

(d)   Regular fellowship with The Holy Spirit – Not only must you recognise the person and presence of the Holy Spirit, but you must allow Him to teach and direct you in all things. You cannot have fellowship with Him until He resides in you. – Jn.14:26; Jn.16:13

(e)    Living A life of service unto God – You must understand that you are saved to serve. God is looking for active people and not passive people – Jn.15:2, 8, 16.

(f)    Regular fellowship with God’s children – God loves and encourages congregational meeting of His children – Ps.122:1; Heb.10:25; Rom.10:17.

(g)   Keeping Good and Godly Association – To be spiritually prosperous, you must identify sound and spiritually healthy believers to associate with. – Prov.13:20.