The Scripture says, “Be careful, when prosperity multiplies in your life, that your heart be not lifted up and you forget the Lord thy God which brought you out of the land of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 8:13-14).  So, it’s very important for us to remain humble and to remain very aware that it’s God that gives us this power.

David had this humility.  “Who am I, and who is my house that I would be counted worthy to involve myself in ministry like this?” (1 Chronicles 29:14).  And in 1 Chronicles 29, verse 12, “Both riches and honour come of thee,” praise God!  So, God is the source.  He’s behind it all.  Proverbs, Chapter 8:18 is a powerful verse.  “Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.”  Now, in verse 11, he’s talking about wisdom.  “Wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it,” praise God!  Amen?  You want some real riches?  Get wisdom.  Get understanding, the Scripture says.  When we’re moving in the wisdom of God, the heart of God, the knowledge of God, regardless of the environment, we’ll prosper and have peace.  We’re in a place right now where in the stock market, you’d have to be an idiot to lose money.  The problem is people are making money and thinking they’re smart.  And they’re also trusting in the money they’re making.  We better not trust in it.  Be wise.  Let the Holy Spirit lead you.  Don’t get caught up in this frenzy that’s taking place.  Make sure that we, as those that God is wanting to prosper, are not making statements of independence like, “And tomorrow I’m going to do this, and I’m going to prosper, and I’m going to have this business.”  It’s if the Lord wills; amen?  Have you prayed about any of it?  Have you gone to Father and asked Him what you should do with the money He’s put in your hands?  It’s not only our children that are lent of the Lord, so are these blessings.  David made it very clear.  We’re only returning to You what You’ve given us; amen?

Remember the tragic story of the rich, young ruler.  He came to Jesus and said, “Lord, what do I have to do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17).  And He recites the last five commandments to him as it relates to men.  You notice He didn’t quote the whole Ten Commandments.  It was the last five that dealt with interpersonal relationships.  The young man said, “All of these I’ve done from my youth.”  You see, the reason he couldn’t quote the whole ten was because the first one takes care of all of it; doesn’t it?  What do you need to do?  “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart” (Matthew 22:37).  Jesus responded to him and said, “Well, you only lack one thing.  Sell everything you have, give it to the poor, and come and follow Me.” (Mark 10:21).  What do you think your response would be?

“If you’re going to come after Me, you have to deny yourself, recognize My lordship, die daily, take up your cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24); amen?  If we’ve surrendered our hearts to the Lord and we recognize His lordship, we have already given Him all.  Then, the Scriptural revelation of this is that the majority of the time, He will let us keep it.  He lets us enjoy it. God wants us to enjoy our prosperity.  He “giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).  But He also has given us the mandate of establishing His covenant.  And that’s why we have to be so prayerful about what we do with His money.  You’d really do yourself a favor if you’d start thinking of it as His money, not just the ten percent.  The ten percent is already God’s.  He requires that; amen?  What are we offering to Him?