Why would a Christian live as the world lives and expect God to make them prosperous? Turn to TV and some ministers will tell you that prosperity all starts with faith and giving. Send them money and you will become prosperous. If you do not become prosperous you didn’t have enough faith. It isn’t unusual for some of these ministers to have an income in excess of a million dollars annually. Yet, our president’s income is $400,000. Who has the most responsibility from a worldly standpoint? Yet, there are many thousands of ministers making less than $50,000 a year.

Those Christians who live as the world lives ignore the authority of God in their lives. In fact, they are openly in rebellion and are disobedient to God’s Word. How many of us live unintentionally ignoring what God tells us about becoming prosperous and living within our means?

Based on information from the past 75 years, if a single person or a couple stays married until 65, stays healthy, stays committed to God and lives as Christ taught, they have an excellent chance of becoming financially independent if they start at the age of 25 saving and investing. They tithe 10%, invest 10% and live on the remaining 80% of their income. Couples around their 30’s have a very good chance of becoming prosperous and couples 40 have a better than average chance of being comfortable in retirement. Recent information states that as many Christians get divorces as the general population. In most cases, money and debt were the greatest cause of divorce.

How does the world live? They live in a house most can’t afford, drive cars that are not paid for and have credit cards used up to their maximum. They eat at expensive restaurants and take vacations they really cannot afford on their present income.

In general, Christians can have a pride problem and can be just as self-centered and prideful as a non-believer. Mark 8:34b – “He said, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me’”. NLT

If a Christian has not overcome being self-centered and can die out to self, as Christ requires, and is struggling with pride, what are their chances of becoming prosperous? What other reason is there for being financially strapped? How can anyone become prosperous if they continually spend more than they earn? The Bible is very clear: to follow Christ we must die out to self and overcome selfish pride. Wow! God must want to take all of the enjoyment out of our lives.

If we understand the parable of the talents: (Matthew 25:14 – 28) – we must realize that God blessed those who have been good stewards. He was angry at the careless and useless steward. It was the steward that had doubled what he was given that God blessed.

How would a good Christian steward live? That may mean you eat at Denny’s or an equivalent restaurant instead of Morton’s Steakhouse. You may need to drive used cars rather than new. You may need to shop for clothes at Penney’s or Macy’s rather than Neiman Marcus. Instead of vacations in Hawaii or Jamaica you may go to San Diego or go camping.

What does all of this mean? We must stop living as the world lives buying on credit everything we want or think we need. Romans 13:8 – “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.”

In what category do we find ourselves? If we have not been prosperous could it be because we are not living as the Bible directs? The Bible is very specific; we are to limit our desires to what a person can afford. We must have patience and be willing to sacrifice, if necessary, and put off buying what we cannot afford until a time we can. Until we become good stewards as described in Jesus’ parable don’t expect God to provide a blessing by us winning a lottery. Why would God need to bless us with hundreds of thousands of dollars when His Word tells us how we may obtain it on our own by being a good steward?