Climbing the Mountain of Success and Prosperity

When did you feel like you really made it to adulthood? How do you define success?

Almost everyone wants to be successful – and many see it as the basis of the American Dream, which promises that every person can achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.

A recent survay asked 2,000 people what “Making It” means in America

Respondents viewed $147,104 of income as “successful”
How much would your home and vehicle be worth, if you “made it”? About $461,000 and $41,986 respectively.
Respondents viewed 31 hours of work per week, a 10-minute commute, 5.3 weeks of time off, and working more from home as their ideal situation
Respondents viewed marriage and kids, as well as four best friends, as ideal

Americans are a driven bunch. Yet, there can be a view within the church that shuns prosperity that is often a byproduct of a false sacred/secular divide.

As always, the Jesus/Kingdom way cuts a healthy path between feeling guilty about our wealth and success or failing to pursue success and making success an idol and defined simply in terms of personal victory.

How do we Climb the Mountain of Success and Prosperity God’s Way?

1) Know that The Mountain of Success and Prosperity is a worthy one to pursue

Is it wrong to pursue, with a passion, success in our careers? No, it is not.

We are commanded in scripture in Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

As Christians we should be the best employees, the best bosses and managers, the best business owners that there are.

Success and prosperity seem to be God’s plan for his people.

Joshua 1:6-8 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success (know the right way) wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Success and prosperity seem to be a byproduct of following God.

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

But notice that all of these references to success and prosperity are in the context of a proper relationship with Jesus. Success and prosperity only become harmful to us when we make it an idol- the mountain that we want to camp out on.

Mark 8:35-37 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul?

2) We find Success and Prosperity By Putting

Genesis 12:1-3 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Matthew 6:33 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life……. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

3) It’s actually

The bigger the platform we have, the bigger the light we can shine for Jesus. A lamp on a stand not under a basket.

Allows us to support the work of the Kingdom

Luke 8:1-3 (MSG) He continued according to plan, traveled to town after town, village after village, preaching God’s kingdom, spreading the Message. The Twelve were with him. There were also some women in their company who had been healed of various evil afflictions and illnesses: Mary, the one called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod’s manager; and Susanna—along with many others who used their considerable means (prosperity or possessions) to provide for the company