from http://www.wofm.org/newsletters/SoFN0282.html

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter
February 1982

Main Article “God Wants You to Prosper!” Yes, God wants you to prosper in all that you do. “…Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” (Psalms 35: 27) Notice, God takes pleasure in your prosperity, not your poverty! Many have taught that God wants His people poor and downtrodden in this earth; at the mercy of the world’s system all their lives; but folks that just is not the truth; In fact, it is a lie straight from Hell! 3 John 2 says that God wants us to prosper and be in health, even as our mind, will and emotions prosper, or are renewed to the Word. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says that through Jesus’ poverty we were made to be rich. Isaiah 48:17 says that God will teach you how to profit. Indeed, the word in the Hebrew used here is, “lamad“, which means, “goad, teach, give incentive.” God would not teach you how to prosper, give you the incentive to prosper, and then turn around and say, “I really don’t want you to prosper.”

That would be double minded, and God is not double minded about anything! Deuteronomy 8:18 says that it is God that gives us the power to get wealth, that He may establish His Covenant on the earth. This has a double meaning to us. He will establish His Word by prospering us, because He said He would; and He will establish His Word in the earth by giving us the power to get wealth and use that wealth to proclaim His Word to the world! Proverbs 8:21 says, “That I may cause those that love Me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.” Do you love God? Then you should expect an inheritance and full treasures!

If it is so obvious that the Word of God teaches that we should be prospering as Christians, then why have so many taught against it? Well, to fully understand it, you must realize that the “Poverty teaching” that we have been saddled with so long has its root in Eastern religions. These beliefs in such things as “poverty vows”, beating yourself (physically to them, spiritually in this country), and such, were thought up to keep people thinking, “Now, your just an unworthy slob in God’s eyes, you need to suffer that you might be made worthy for Him to even look at.” That’s a bunch of religious hogwash! The Word of God teaches us that as born again Christians we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) We have been made the righteousness of God through what Jesus did, we didn’t have to earn it. To say that we must be poor, down-and-out, sick in body, and a multitude of other ills to draw close to God and perfect ourselves is to say that what Jesus did on the cross and in His resurrection was simply not enough to put us, in right standing with God! Brethren, that is just not scriptural; it never has been and never will be!

God wants you to prosper, and more than that, He paid an awesome price that we would have our needs met spiritually, mentally, physically and every other way!