Three Keys to Prosperity
By Don Vess

Question:
How many of you like to prosper?
How many of you believe it is God’s will that His people prosper?

3 John 1:2 (AMP) – “Beloved, I pray that you may

in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.”

God does desire for us to

, but that will only happen as we seek Him and put Him first in our lives.

Key #1: Seek the Lord for

and

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2 Chronicles 26:3-5 – Uzziah was 16 years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He sought God in the days of Zechariah (the priest), who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.

Uzziah did great as long as he sought God. But when God blessed him with wealth and military power, he became proud and tried to perform as a priest in an office that God had not called him to. He was a king, not a priest and king. There is only One who qualifies as Prophet, Priest, and King—Jesus Christ.

Uzziah entered the temple of the Lord with the intention of burning incense. When the priests of the temple withstood him and rebuked him, he became furious. While he was angry, leprosy broke out on his forehead. He could not leave the temple fast enough after that. For the rest of his life, he was not allowed to enter the temple or live in the palace because of his leprosy. Pride was his downfall.

We must have God’s direction for our lives if we expect His blessing.

Key #2: Give God

Place in Your Life

Matthew 6:33 (KJV) – “Seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness…”

When we do, we free ourselves from worry and the concerns of life. Why? Because God is in control!

Key #3:

I once saw a bumper sticker that read:
“Tithe. Anybody can honk!”

Here are some things you should know about the tithe:

A. The Tithe Belongs to the

Leviticus 27:30 – “…and all the tithe is the Lord’s; it is holy (set apart and consecrated) to the Lord.”

The tithe is set apart for God—all of it, not half, not 75%—all of it.

Tithe (Hebrew: A’sar) means to tithe, derived from the word signifying ten, which also means to be

.

The basic principle of tithing is this:
Tithing is an acknowledgment that everything rightly

to God, including our own property. We are merely stewards. The tithe is a token (like a wedding ring) brought to

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the Lord and recognize Him as the Owner of All.

Psalm 24:1 (NKJV) – “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.”

B. Give Off the

—Not Off the

Reveal Answer

Proverbs 3:9-10 (NKJV) – “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”

Honor God with your

, not your leftovers. Put Him first!

Some Say Tithing Is an Old Testament Law

Jesus Himself was a tither.
How do we know? His enemies constantly sought opportunities to accuse Him of breaking the Law of Moses, but they never accused Him of not tithing—because they couldn’t!

Matthew 23: Jesus commended the Pharisees for their obedience in tithing but reprimanded them for their attitudes.

Matthew 5: Jesus taught that our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees. We give to God out of faith and obedience, not legal obligation.

Matthew 22:21 – Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
In other words: “Pay the government what is owed, but also give unto the Lord what is His.”

The Tithe Belongs to the

—Not

Reveal Answer

!

Malachi 3:6 – “For I am the Lord, I do not change.”

Nothing has changed regarding who is in control and who owns the tithe.

God asks: “Will a man rob God?”
Yet, He says, “You have robbed Me.”
The people ask, “In what way?”
God replies, “You have withheld your tithes and offerings.”

Withholding the tithe is stealing from God—while He is

!

Malachi 3:9 – “You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me—even this whole nation.”

We do not disobey the

by withholding the tithe—we disobey God.

When We Are Obedient in Tithes and Offerings
• God opens the

of heaven and pours out blessings.
• He rebukes the

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for our sakes.

Not Tithing Is:

A. Disobeying the

B. Robbing God – Taking His money and spending it
C. Putting Ourselves Under a Curse

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse of God.
It’s okay to support other ministries financially, but the tithe belongs in the storehouse—the place where you receive spiritual food and support.

Tithing Is God’s Financial

for the Church

If God’s people faithfully tithed, both their needs and the church’s needs would be met.

The church should not have to rely on fundraising. It is not God’s way!
Some may say, “I can’t afford to tithe.”
You cannot afford not to tithe!

Malachi 3:10 – “Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Prove Me now in this,” says the Lord of Hosts, “if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing, so great there will not be room enough to receive it.”

6 Laws of Sowing and Reaping
1. You reap after you

– The harvest comes after planting.
2. You reap

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than you sow – A single seed produces many.
3. You reap in

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to what you sow – Luke 6:38 – “Whatever measure you use to give, God will give back to you.”
4. You reap

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through natural means – “Men will give into your bosom.”
5. You reap

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you sow – Galatians 6:7 – “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
6. You reap in

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season – Be patient; the harvest will come.

2 Corinthians 8:9 (NLT) – “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty He could make you rich.”

Conclusion

Kingdom advancement requires money and resources. Where do they come from? God—through His people!

Prayer:
Father, teach us to trust You enough to steward what You put in our hands. Help us understand that You own all things, and help us to be faithful to You. Amen!