Obstacles to True Prosperity

First, this article was motivated from a book written by James Robison, called True Prosperity.  I wanted to begin with the question on most people’s mind, “What is True Prosperity?”

I feel we need to move past thinking of prosperity in just monetary or materialistic terms. Limiting our concept of abundance to finances ignores the wealth of time, talents, spiritual gifts, and abilities that mark very successful people.  True prosperity is having all the resources we need to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives and the abiding peace and joy that enable us to be perfectly content in abundance or while facing  grave challenges. True prosperity is “joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8, NASB).

Material prosperity and monetary gain do not bring real meaning in life. Simply being wealthy is not true prosperity.  Remember, it is not necessary to take a vow of poverty in order to have abundant life. Possessing things is not the issue. It is when our things possess us that they become a problem.

I wanted to overview some of the five obstacles that distract people from the message of God’s wisdom, truth, and understanding about Prosperity.

•  Greed – “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person – such a man is an idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” (Ephesians 5:5)  The fastest way to undermine true prosperity is to fall into the trap of greed. Greed is an excessive or insatiable desire for selfish gain. It is usually associated with money, it can also apply to hobbies, food, sex, sports, or anything else that cannot be satisfied. When enough is never enough, greed has taken over.  Do not misinterpret the desire to achieve, or succeed as greed. Focused ambition is not the problem. Greed is the perversion of potentially good and meaningful attempts to be productive. Our Greed must be vanquished or else clear insight and direction will be impossible and true prosperity will forever remain out of reach.
• Envy – “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” (Proverbs 14:30)  Envy can be defined as a “painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage.”  When our minds dwell on what others have and we don’t, to the point that it’s painful for not to have the same thing, envy sets in and sucks the life out of us. Remember, whatever it is that we might be envy of, it is not worth the loss of peace and joy.  We should rejoice when others are blessed in life. Nothing truly belongs to any of us anyway – everything belongs to the Lord.
• Unforgiveness – “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” ( Hebrew 12:15)   Unforgiveness is like a cancer. The only way to get rid of it is to cut it out and to let it go. The longer we hold on to it, the more it spreads, until finally we are eaten up by its poison.  Forgiveness is the only option for treating this.  I know this from experience.  The only person I was hurting at the time was me.  I was depressed, and yes my actions from my Depression caused pain to others, yet the person I had unforgiveness toward did not even know this.  I was a cancer. After I forgave this person, I was free from this bondage and could move on.
• Unrestraint – “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “NO” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” (Titus 2:11-12)  Most People find themselves in financial distress because of one this: lack of self-control. These people desire worldly things and drive themselves into debt. Once in debt, they now lack the self-discipline to make the necessary adjustments to get out of debt.  One quality imparted by the fullness of the Holy Spirit is self-control, and this is essential in our lives.  Unrestraint leads to debt, and debt kills prosperity. If you find yourself in debt – even if it is not the result of irresponsible spending – you must be willing to adjust your spending in order to get out of debt.
• Idolatry – “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature; sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5)   We must never allow anything but God and His will to capture our hearts. If something else captures our hearts, our thoughts, or our passions, it is now an idol.  In today’s society, many may not realize it, yet their own career may have become their idol.  “Workaholics” are simply given over to occupational idolatry. When making money or earning status at the job becomes more important than the things of God, there can be no true prosperity.  Idolatry also takes the form of pleasures and materialism today.

True prosperity is living in God’s abiding presence, allowing him to fulfill his Kingdom purpose through us.