One of the biggest keys to developing prosperity in your life is in understanding the aspects of prosperity. Prosperity is more of a process than it is an act or event. An act or event would be like winning the lottery or getting a raise at work.

Prosperity or finances or money is a subject that is dealt with throughout God’s Word, and rightly so since it is a huge part of our daily lives. Most of us work to make money every day, and we have bills to pay with that money every day and week.

Thankfully, God has laid out the principles of how to deal with money in His word so that it is a blessing to our lives. They are not all written in one place, but we can find them if we diligently search for them.

If you really want to understand the topic of prosperity, or any topic for that matter, there are a couple of verses that will help.

2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Consider means to think about – to ponder – to dwell upon.

Any time you consider a verse or topic from God’s Word, first ask God to open your eyes so you can see. Then as you consider, here are some questions to ask yourself:

Do I actually believe that in my heart?
What would it take for me to believe that verse?
How would my life change if that verse was part of my everyday life?
Do I believe God would do this for me?
Are there any other places that subject is written about?
Are there any records in God’s Word that would illustrate that principle?
What is the context this verse or topic is in?
Could this principle be applied in other areas?
Do I know anyone that lives this way that I could use for an example or talk to or read about?

You must actually think about each question for a while. Search your mind and heart. If you do this diligently, then answers will eventually begin to come.

Another verse that is helpful to understanding is a set of verses from the book of Psalms.

Psalm 119:98-100 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

Notice here the psalmist said God’s Commandments were ever with him. In our day and time, we might write them on a card and put it on our bathroom mirror or keep them in our car where we can see them constantly – so they are ever with us. Then the psalmist said he had more understanding than his teachers because God’s Word was his meditation – he thought about them, pondered or dwelled upon them. Finally, he said he had more understanding than the ancients because he kept God’s Word. He did what God said; he carried it out. As he was faithful to keep God’s word, God gave him the true riches of this life — more understanding about God and His Wonderful Word.

Here is a great quote along this line of holding God’s Word in your mind and thinking about it.

“As the outward man is not fit for work for any length of time unless he eats, so it is with the inner man. What is the food for the inner man? Not prayer, but the Word of God-not the simple reading of the Word of God, so that it only passes through our minds, just as water runs through a pipe. No, we must consider what we read, ponder over it, and apply it to our hearts.”
― George Muller, The Autobiography of George Muller

With all that in mind, let’s look at a great principle on the proper use of money.

Proverbs 21:17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

Proverbs 21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up

Interestingly, it is apparent God wants us to NOT spend all we make. We are to save some of each amount we receive. We are not to spend it all. If you have had the habit spending all you make, then some adjustments may be necessary.

To start, how much do we save? The example in the Old Testament on giving was 10%, so it would seem only right that we could save 10% also. It is only logical that if we are to pay God what we owe, 10%, then we should pay ourselves 10% because we did the work. Now that may be more than some can start doing right out of the chute. So, start with what you can. Give 1% and save 1%, but just get started. Then ask God to show you how to increase the amounts.

You may have to get a better job or take on a second job temporarily to pay down some of your debt to get your finances to the point where you can do 10 and 10. Part of getting our foot off the hose so to speak is to bring our finances into alignment with what God has said.

Our goal then is to bring our finances and believing into alignment with the Word of God.

Remember, read the verses, meditate on the verses and do the verses!

No matter how hard it seems in the beginning, it will get easier. Changes in life are not usually cataclysmic, but they more often start small and then grow. If you move your life towards God, doing what His Word says, He will be right there to help you no matter what your circumstances are.
Decide today to become one of the wise that stores up some of their prosperity and stop spending all we make.

Pondering on the scriptures, applying the list of questions written previously, then making what you learn a habit in any area of interest is all part of The Prosperous Life.