Anchor Scripture: Psalm 73
Memory Verse: “. . . man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.” (Deut. 8:3)
Introduction
Our world has been tilted by the plethora of lies of Satan emanating from the pit of hell, such that people now flagrantly believe and practice, even in churches, things that are abominable to our faith.
The mindless crazy race towards the worldly ‘finish line’ is faith-threatening.
This has engendered an abominable practice in the Christendom, in which, even believers are often tempted to celebrate the story without the slightest bother to trace the story. We seldom pay attention to the Biblical standard of success and prosperity, but often measure our members by worldly, fleshly and canal standards.
a. What is unrighteousness?
Unrighteousness is the direct opposite of everything that God stands for. The book of 1 John 5:17 succinctly puts it as, “All unrighteousness is sin: . . . .” Therefore, what is called unrighteousness is anything that can be regarded as sin before God or by the Bible standard, and it does not matter from whom it comes (Acts 10: 34).
b. What is unrighteous prosperity? Unrighteous prosperity is the success, breakthrough, achievement, riches, wealth, affluence, influence, power, authority or fortune which one got through unGodly means, ways, methods and or strategies (Psalm 92:15, 145:17; Zeph. 3:5; Jer. 7:10; Hab. 1:13; Rom. 9:14).
Here are some practices that could bring instant unrighteous prosperity which the world celebrates. They include:
i. All the acts which the Bible summarily called “the works of the flesh” - Gal. 5:19-21.
ii. Oppression of the poor – 2 Sam. 12: 1-12, Psalm 9:18; 12:5; 68:5; 72:4; Amos 8: 4-13, Isaiah 33: 15
iii. Wickedness and violence – including murder, telling lies, false witnessing, etc. Mal. 2:16, Zep. 1:9, Mic. 6: 11-13, Obadiah 1:10, Joel 3:19, Ezek. 28:16; 45:9, Luke 3: 14
iv. Usury – Act of collecting interests on money lent (especially to fellow believers) – Deut. 23: 19 -20, Lev. 25: 36-37, Ezek. 18: 13, Prov. 28: 8, Psalm 15: 5
v. Greedy gains/Extortion – charging of unfairly high prices – Ezek. 22: 12, Prov. 1:19, Luke 3: 13, 1 Cor. 5: 11, 1 Cor. 6: 9-10, 1 Tim. 3: 3, Jude 1: 11
vi. Sinful gifts – this could be described as gifts from a sinful act or a sinful person – Ex. 23: 8, Deut. 16: 19, 27: 25, Isaiah 1: 23
vii. Bribery – Amos 5: 12, Job 15: 34
Conclusion
Our god is not a poor God (Psalm 50: 10-11, Acts 17: 24-25). Hence, He desires the prosperity of His children. The book of 3 John 1: 2 posits thus, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” The letters of this Scripture does not suggest unrighteousness because according to it, our prosperity (financially) and the prosperity of our souls must go paripassu. I once said it that a blessing that precedes salvation will only bring destruction to its owner.
A child of God could be rich, but not through unrighteous means. We are in the world, but not part of the world (Rom. 12: 2, 1 Cor. 2: 12, 5: 9-11, 2 Cor. 14: 16-18). A good child of God should not envy wealthy sinners, lest we copy and follow their ways because it offends (Psalm 73: 15).
Christians must stop measuring themselves with the same yardsticks of the world because we are a different people unto our God (1 Pet. 2:9). Apostle Paul says although, all things may be good, but we should not be brought under the power of them (1 Cor. 6: 12, 10: 23). I pray God will help us, all, in Jesus Name. Amen.