Part of the challenge in understanding God’s Word is to rightly apply the verses in the right context in our lives. So, it is with the subject of prosperity. If we jerk a verse out of its context and apply it in the wrong area, we have taken what was the Word of God and changed it into the word of men – religion. This causes confusion and frustrates our understanding of God’s will for our lives.

First, there are a considerable number of instructions God gives about how to prosper to those who seek Him and love Him above all else. Abraham is a worthy example. God gave him great wealth, but Abraham loved God more than even his own son. God was first in his life above all else.

Deuteronomy 8:18 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 28:2,3 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

Proverbs 8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Jeremiah 17:7,8 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 (Part of keeping God first would also include then, the verses on giving.

Those that keep Him first would naturally obey His Word.)

Second, the Pharisees and others were the opposite. They were covetous, they loved money, prosperity, prestige, and power more that they loved God. God was not first in their lives, money was. Money in and of itself is worthless if all you do is sit and look at it. It is what comes because of the money, or what the money brings you — power, position, prestige, etc.

Luke 16:14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

Luke 12:13-15  And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

To take someone to court to get what they have is not necessary. It would be envy – you want what they have. God is more than able to supply you himself with a great abundance – just ask.

To Abraham and his offspring, the children of Abraham, believers that keep God first, God gave promises of prosperity. To the Pharisees and their like, God gave the warnings or cautions against loving money more than God.

So, the challenge is to learn to keep the promises or the warnings in the category God put them in while rising up to claim and believe the promises of God. We practice our relationship with God by keeping Him first. This is us growing in godliness while being content, not anxious about tomorrow, or what others have, as we expect to see our Father bring His word to pass in our lives, and fill our treasuries.

First Timothy has some instruction and two of the great warnings in the sixth chapter.

(WTJ) I Timothy 6:3-5 If anyone teaches something different and does not approach healthy words (those of our Lord Jesus Christ) and the teaching [what was taught] according to godliness, then he is puffed up with pride, knowing nothing but having an ailment of the mind relating to controversies and word battles. Of these come envy, strife, slander, evil suspicions, constant quarrels from people corrupted in the mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

These folks want what you have, envy, they want to end up on top in the argument and to be seen as the best around. If you slander someone, it implies you are better than they are. God says these people have a lot of pride, are corrupted in the mind, and are deprived of the truth. They believe that winning arguments and/or being wealthy shows they walk with God.

Vs. 6 Now godliness with contentment is a great means of gain. (Promise – correction and instruction)

This verse is commonly used as a warning to anyone trying to rise up and believe the promises of prosperity God has placed in His Word. But actually, it is instruction on the proper means of great gain. Contentment and walking with God as opposed to pride, envy, strife, etc. This verse sets, in contrast, the proper means of gain, developing godliness in your own life as opposed to what the ungodly do because of pride.

So, the challenge here to us is to be content with what we have while we are endeavoring to rise up and believe the promises of God. God is not saying in this verse to be content – in your poverty – when you cannot pay your bills – with large credit card debt. That would be like telling us to not rise up and believe that God is the Lord that heals but be content with your sickness.

In the discussion of prosperity, one needs to make a distinction between the promises of God about prosperity and the warnings of God to not get out of bounds.

Vs. 9 However, those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a trap and many senseless and harmful cravings, which cause people to sink into ruin and destruction. (Warning)

 Rich in power, prestige, or wealth

Vs. 10 Certainly, avarice is a root of all the evils, to which some have aspired and have been led astray from the [right way of] believing and have wounded themselves with many sharp pains. (Warning)

Covetousness is translated here as avarice from an online dictionary: The meaning of “avarice” is excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or gain: greediness. This translator used the same word avarice in 1 Timothy 3.

1 Timothy 3:3 not a drunkard, not a pugnacious bully but forbearing, disinclined to quarreling, not avaricious,

The King James here says, “not covetousness.”  Many translate this as “not a lover of money.”

Many times, in His Word, God shows us how godly wealth is acquired. This thinking about prosperity may be different than what you have understood for years. But read the scriptures for yourself; read them in the context and see for yourself if this is true. It may take a while to wrap your mind around this way of thinking, but once you do, it will change your life. By rising up and keeping the promises of prosperity and the warnings against covetousness in their proper places, you will grow in godliness and in your journey of The Prosperous Life.

Note:  There is more on this topic in Poverty vs Wealth, Chapter 4.