Proverbs 13:22 “… the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.”

God wants us to prosper – spirit, soul, and body (1 Thess. 5:23). This includes financially.  I have heard this verse used in many church services when taking up offerings. You probably have too.

But how is the fulfillment of this verse going to happen? How does God prosper us financially? I’m sure that there are as many ways as there are people, but let me share with you 3 broad ways that God blesses His people:

1. Through Gifts.

Gifts is where other people, the church, etc. come along and bless you with something that you didn’t earn.  He often does this when we are in a tough situation and we need help right now.

Rest assured that the Lord will meet your needs! You don’t have to worry about that. As the parable of the sparrow tells us, if God can take care of the birds, He will take care of you that are created in His image. This is often the place where gifts are used by God.

But gifts from God through others will not lead you into prosperity. They are usually more along the lines of emergency funding. While these are needed, it is not a basis for long term financial increase.

Thank the Lord for gifts as they come along. They show that He has not forgotten about you.

2. Through Favor.

Favor is where God opens up opportunities or doors to you to enter into something bigger. These opportunities usually come through others who are already there. God puts it on the heart of someone to extend favor to you to include you in what they are doing.

We need other people to succeed. I know this goes against our American individualism, but it is true. Just look at the successful in any area. They did not get there by themselves. God has on purpose set it up so that humans are interdependent.

God brings people into our lives to help us get to the next level. This is different from gifts. The opportunities do not automatically turn into financial increase. When we are handed an opportunity we have to walk through the door opened and work hard at maximizing the opportunity.

Pray for favor from others and then for wisdom to make the most of the opportunity. Then turn around and open doors for others when you are able to give them opportunities.

3. Through Ideas.

All successful financial endeavors begin with an idea. God is in the idea generating business. The greatest transfer of wealth is when God gives us an idea on how to benefit others through a product or service. As we build a business around that idea with God’s wisdom and skill, people then give us their money for our service. This is the most common way that the wealth of the sinner is transferred to the righteous. Ideas turned into businesses are the source of the greatest prosperity.

God is a business man. Make Him your senior partner. Ask Him for ideas that can be turned into businesses to bring in financial prosperity into your life!

Have you found any other ways financial prosperity come?