Faith!

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matt. 21:22 ESV)

Voices from pulpits across the land cry out with: “Watch out for false teachers who preach “health and wealth”, “Name it and claim it!” And/or “Who preach the prosperity gospel!”

And, yes, I do believe there are those who are out of control in these areas.   And when a famous televangelist publicly misuses donated funds for his or her opulent lifestyle, this does set off alarm bells for many who reject that sort of thing, and they rightfully speak out against it as they must. But out of caution to avoid this kind of error, many "throw out the baby with the bath!"  And that isn’t good, either.   It’s best to always use good judgment, but understand that all these promises in the Word of God are there for a reason and are to meet the needs of God’s servants to enable them to be equipped "for every good work," and the devil does everything he can to prevent God’s people from using them. 

 Understand that God…

·      Answers people’s prayers: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7).

·      Blesses people: “But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25)

·      Heals people: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:14-16) 

·      Provides for people’s needs: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)

·      Causes people to prosper:

Therefore

·      Ask with humility. “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. (Prov. 22:4)

·      Expect results when you pray: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

·      Use what God blesses you with to honor God, to promote His kingdom, and to help others: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” (2 Cor. 9:8-11)

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8)