140323 Trusting God by Praying: Prosperity

Do you trust God for prosperity? There are two ways of looking at prosperity: having a lot of money and having no need.

22yo worked for Phillip Anschutz in 1980s. Mormans tithe. I am prosperous, too.

Phil 4:6,10-13
This is how I know I am prosperous. How can I claim this? My income is below the minimum for ACA. I don't even have to file taxes. By worldly standards, I am sunk. Let us look at what God calls 'prosperity'
εὐοδόω
From a compound of εὖ and ὁδός; to help on the road, that is, (passively) succeed in reaching; figuratively to succeed in business affairs: - (have a) prosper (-ous journey).

Romans 1:8-10
  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
  Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

What gets us on the road to prosperity?

1 Corithians 16:1-3
  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
  And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

3 John 2-4
  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
  For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Ephesians 1:5,9
5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

God wants the best for us. Who has better intentions than God?

2 Corinthians 9:5-15
  Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
  (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
  Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
  For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
  Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
  And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
  Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

We are blessed. Develop the attitude of gratitude.