Prosper As a Young Person According to the Bible

The Bible says: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."[1] Jesus became poor to make you rich. In this chapter they are talking about spiritual condition, sharing possessions and money as when you follow the recommendations of God, you will help each other in all these ways.

Steps

  1. Recognize that Jesus said that Christians are not very savvy when it comes to money. Luke 16:8 says that the children of the this world are wiser in their business affairs than the Children of light. This means that too many Christians are "ignorant of God's promises" and want to assume that spiritual holiness will make you money. The Holiness of Jesus Christ in salvation will get you to heaven (Hebrews 12:14), but you receive blessings by having the right attitudes (Matthew 5:3).
  2. Believe and act correctly upon the promises "'If you can'?" said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for him who believes.'(Mark 9:23), also "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:4).
  3. Recognize that God promised to supply your needs (Philippians 4:19).
  4. Read that the Father wants to prosper you so you can have your needs and

    29“And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. 30“For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. 31“But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12: 29-32).
  5. Prepare as the Bible recommends that you establish your career before you build a house (and get married): "Prepare your work outside, and make it ready for yourself in the field; afterwards, then, build your house" (Proverbs 24:27).[2] 54% of the divorces in America are over lack of money.
  6. Recognize that you must invest in yourself and get a college degree. Deuteronomy 8:18 says that God had given you power to get wealth. Everyone has talents and abilities that when developed will make them a success. Invest in yourself and get a college degree because a Government survey done in 2003 shows that the average pay in America is over $28 per hour for a college graduate.
    • Don't leave college, if you could finish college (Proverbs 24:27). Isaiah, Luke and Paul were well educated.
    • Have you heard people say on TV, "The Economy is not your source, Your Job is not your source, Your Boss is not your source, Your education is not your source, mail all your money to me and God will take care of you." That is just plain foolish. Proverbs 13:15 says that good understanding gives favor. Proverbs 13:15 does not say that a man shall be rewarded for his generosity.
    • Jesus did introduce faith giving in Luke 6:38, but after you give, notice that God will bless you according to your ability (Deuteronomy 8:18), so you must be open to God's leading on how YOU will be a specialist and prosper.
  7. Be able, willing and give as Christ told his disciples: "33 Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves 'money belts' which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12:33 - 34). And "35 Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. 36 Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those slaves (of Christ) whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he (the Master) will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. 38 Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves (as servants of God). 39 But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the 'thief' was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 40 You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect."[3]
  8. Recognize that the specialist gets paid well, the generalist does not. Proverbs 13:15, "Good understanding gives favor." You can become a specialist, if you stick with the same well chosen skilled-career for many years. Abraham was a cow farmer, Isaac planted seed, Joseph was a sheep farmer and Joseph was an economist in Egypt. Each person has different talents and if you develop your talents you will prosper. Even Jesus had to grow in wisdom (Luke 2:52).
  9. Pray to God to show you what career to pursue. "Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not" (Jeremiah 33:3). According to II Corinthians 1:20, all the promises of God belong to you in Jesus.
    • In the New Testament, Romans 8:16 God will witness to your heart and Romans 8:17 it will lead you into prosperity.
    • Galatians 3:14 the Blessing of Abraham is yours.
    • James 1:5 shows that God wants to give you wisdom and God wants to give it to you in abundance.
  10. Recognize that God wants you to work "smarter" not just "harder". Proverbs 12:8 says that a man shall be rewarded according to his wisdom (not on effort). Notice that it does not say, according to his "hard work."
  11. Pray for Wisdom. James 1:5 says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that gives to all men generously and willingly and it shall be given." When you graduate from the University, pray for several days and get a witness inside that you can get a job at good pay in your field (computer related for example); apply and get started in your job.
  12. Give in good measure, out of your first fruits, by Faith. "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, 'shall men give into your bosom'. For with the same measurement that ye measure with all it shall be measured to you again." Jesus introduced this concept in Luke 6:38.
  13. Obey the Lord: "46 the master of [the cruel and unjust] slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 And that slave (God's servant) who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, 48 but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few."

    "From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more."[4]

Tips

  • The Holy Spirit will teach you all things (John 14:26) including work and making money.
  • Pray for a spirit of wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:16-17).

Warnings

  • Watch out for the average ministers (Revelation 3:11). They may not get laid off once established; they do not have to take classes to keep their skills current, and they often do not have good business advice when it comes to counseling careers and on making money.
    • Don't follow so called prophets that claim brazenly that because the wealth of the sinner was laid up for the just, then go out and buy houses and open businesses, without understanding the bad prospects of recession. Then, home prices fall, new or old enterprises may fail when foreclosures and unemployment increase, deflation occurs and the economy slumps. It rains on the just and the unjust -- but a rising tide raises all ships -- so invest wisely.
  • A major setbacks in the investment cycles include:
    • Opening a business when unemployment is rising and deflation is lowering value of your money and property.
    • Impatience and lack of wisdom: The Bible says in Hebrews 12:1 to "Run with patience", and Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "there is a time for everything" (and obviously, other times to not try certain things).
  • "I passed by the field of the sluggard and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense, and behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles;" [not invested for a good return] "its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received [this] instruction: (Proverbs 24:30--34)[5]
    • 'A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, then your poverty will come as a robber and your want like an armed man.' "

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ II Corinthians 8:9, "that you through his [Lord Jesus Christ's] poverty might become rich" -- http://bible.cc/2_corinthians/8-9.htm
  2. ↑ Proverbs 24:27, "make it ready for yourself" http://bible.cc/proverbs/24-27.htm
  3. ↑ "Sell your possessions and give to charity" -- http://biblebrowser.com/luke/12-33.htm
  4. ↑ "From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more." -- http://biblebrowser.com/luke/12-46.htm
  5. ↑ Proverbs 24:30--34, "the sluggard", http://biblebrowser.com/proverbs/24-30.htm
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