Focus: Rules Of Engagement

Text: 2Chron.20:20

"Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper."

God is not against the prosperity of the righteous. The Word says, "And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it" (Jer.33:9). 

*God wants you to prosper

In Job we read, "If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures" (36:11). In psalms we read, "Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant" (35:27). God wants to see you prospering in life and doing His work on earth. Poverty is not part of His plan or agenda for you.

*God is rich

God is not poor but rich in everything that is good. His treasure house has no bottom. In Haggai, God says, "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts" (2:8). In psalms we read, "The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" (24:1). He owns everything and lacks nothing. As a matter of fact, all human beings are living off of His bounty. All we own we owe to Him.

*God demands your obedience

All facets of life have rules of engagement. You cannot prosper in anything if you do not observe certain rules. The Word says, "O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper" (2Cor.13:12). If you want to prosper, don't make God your enemy! Rather, make God your ally - your partner and friend. The prosperity of those who are opposed to God is totally devoid of peace and fulfillment. It's been said that whatever you do without God, you either fail miserably or succeed even more miserably. It doesn't pay well to be God's adversary.

The Word says, "Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken" (2Chron.24:20). Lack of prosperity is hinged on noncompliance with God's principles. Whatever God tells you to do, do it wholeheartedly! Comply with God's rules of engagement!

*God prospers his own seekers

The Word says concerning Uzziah, "And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper" (2Chron.26:5). Uzziah sought God and prospered as Judah's king. Seeking God attracts prosperity. Jesus Christ says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Mt.6:33).

The Word says, "Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel" (1Chron.22:13). 

Prosperity comes by doing the word. Know the word and do it. God's people can only succeed in God's way, not in the world's way.

The Word says, "And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way…" (Gen.24:40). The divine factor is the main factor in the prosperity of the people of God. God aids us to prosper. Angels are involved in the prosperity of the saints.

The Word says concerning Joseph, "And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand" (Gen.39:3). The presence of the Lord in Joseph's life guaranteed his prosperity wherever he found himself. As a slave in Potiphar's house he prospered. As a prisoner he prospered. And as a prime minister of Egypt he prospered under Pharaoh. The Word says, "The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper" (Gen.39:23). Carry God's presence with you wherever you are or go, and in whatever you do!

The Word says, "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do" (Dt.29:9). Be a covenant keeper! Whatever God requires of you to do, just do it, because it is ultimately and utterly for your own good.

The Word says, "Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest" (Josh.1:7). Observe carefully and obey faithfully whatever God says, for it is then you will make your way prosperous and have good success.

Give the Lord your tithes and offerings! Lend to the poor and give to the needy! Be a part of what God is doing on earth! Be led of the Spirit and be diligent in your business! Work hard and be wise! Keep to God's rules of engagement and you will receive and enjoy divine prosperity!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter