Deuteronomy 8:18 (NKJV): "And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day."
The word 'power' here in Hebrew is 'kowach', which can mean 'ability, able, capacity, vigour, strength, substance, power'. In the New Covenant today, this 'power' that comes from Him is the anointing (i.e. enabling or empowering).
And when He gives, you (the believers) are the ones to receive! Acts 1:8 says, 'But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth'. Note that this power is not just the power to save, to restore, to renew, to heal, to deliver, but this power is also the power to prosper! (see Luke 4:18-19) And the Bible says 'It is He' who gives it to you, not any man, organization, or even government. Look to Him.
Galatians 3:13-14 says, 'Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith'. Notice the word 'receive' again? Some 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ became a curse for you on the cross (tree), so that you can now receive the blessing (that began when God made a covenant with Abraham). And one of the evidences of this blessing is in the area of prosperity!
"Was Abraham rich?"
Yes. The Bible says so. Genesis 13:2 says, 'Abram (Abraham's former name) was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold'. Genesis 12:1-3 speaks of God's promises to Abram. It says, 'Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family, and from your father's house to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse those who curse you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."'
2 Corinthians 8:9 says, 'For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich'.
So, people of God, from all the verses above, it is clear that God wants you to prosper! (see also 3 John 2). In fact, Psalm 35:27 says 'God has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant'.
"What is God's purpose in prospering His people?"
The answer is found in Deuteronomy 8:18 - 'so that He may establish His covenant' on earth. And He's doing it through you. Prosperity is a good testimony for the good news of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, 'And God is able (i.e. God has the power) to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work'. What is this 'good work'? To establish God's covenant on earth! By sowing the seed of the good news of Jesus Christ! (see 2 Corinthians 9:9-11). So, you see, prosperity is not so much for the purpose of you getting a bigger and bigger mansion on earth, or adding to your collection of glossy cars!
"So, is it wrong to prosper?"
No, if you have His covenant in mind. The Bible never says 'money is evil', but it says the love of money is (see 1 Timothy 6:10). In other words, God is not against you having money, but He is against money having you!
So, people of God, set your mind on establishing His covenant on earth, and you'll be on your way to 'prospering you shall prosper', whatever your vocation may be on earth (as long as it's in line with God's Word). This is the key to prosperity in the Lord.
Point to note: Just don't forget Him after you have prospered!
I have also noticed through history that whenever His people remember and are conscious of His covenant, they'd prosper. But when they forget (or leave) His covenant, they'd begin to lack! That's why Moses reminded the people in Deuteronomy 8:18 - 'And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth'.
For those who are currently going through a time of lack (or hard times), by faith receive this anointing to break the 'old cycle' of lack, and right now, be released into a 'new cycle' of blessing and prosperity. The curse has been broken, and the blessing of Abraham has come upon you. Believing this, and you'll have it. Declare this over your life and your loved ones. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen.
