To Prosper

Genesis 39:3

And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

Joseph had many great characteristics that one can talk about, but one of the greatest that God talks about was his ability to prosper at whatever he did. When he worked for his dad, he prospered. Now, it could easily have been said that he prospered because his dad favored him, but history shows that he prospered because it was part of his character to prosper. When he was sold into slavery, whatever was given him to care for prospered. When he was cast into prison, he prospered at the responsibilities given to him. Joseph’s greatness would have never been realized if he had not had the mindset to prosper.

There are two types of people in the Lord’s work and in the workforce. There are those who prosper, and there are those who are losers. You see, you are either prospering or losing at what you do; there is no in-between. To maintain is to lose. What many don't understand is that you do have to grow to maintain, but maintaining is not prospering. I am thrilled with churches that maintain a certain attendance because you have to grow to maintain. However, a church that maintains is not gaining ground for the Lord. The one thing God looks for in His children is for them to prosper. The same God that was with Joseph and helped him to prosper is the same God that is with you. The question is if you are willing to pay the same price he paid to see that prosperity. Let me share several mindsets you must have to be prosperous.

First, prospering is the result of a mindset. If you accept anything less than prospering, you will not prosper. To prosper means you are more valuable today than yesterday. You must put pressure on yourself to prosper. Nobody prospers who accepts mediocrity and maintaining.

Second, excuses can never be entertained if you are to prosper. An excuse is a crutch that keeps you from prospering at what you are doing for God. You can always find an excuse for why you are not growing, conquering sin, doing more for God, or increasing the influence of what you are doing for God. The moment you accept one excuse is the moment you move from prosperity to losing. Anyone who loses has an excuse, and a good one at that, but that does not turn losing into prospering. I have heard the best of excuses as to why churches don't prosper, but it is amazing that a person with a prospering mindset throws the excuses out and finds a way to prosper. Never entertain excuses, but let what can be an excuse to be the motivator to do better.

Third, it takes hard work to prosper. You will never prosper by doing the expected; you prosper by going beyond what others expect of you. Nobody has prospered by doing the minimum; those who prospered sacrificed sleep, energy, health, and pleasures to be sure they prospered. If you are afraid of hard work or love to play, prosperity will never be yours.

Fourth, it takes God’s hand on your life to prosper. Joseph did not prosper on his own, but he prospered with the LORD’s help. A daily walk with God in His Word and in prayer are critical to prospering. You will only go so far on your own; after that it takes God. You show me what your walk with God is like and I will show you what you will do for God. Make your walk with God a critical part of your day, and you will find God walks with you and will help you to prosper.