The Hebrew word shalom in the Old Testament was frequently translated into the English word peace and we tend to think of it limited to that context. It is most often used today as a Jewish greeting that one says when encountering someone and again when departing and it means: may God’s peace be upon you. But the full meaning of the word shalom in scripture is so much deeper than this that it was also frequently translated as prosperity. In this context, shalom means that life is perfect with nothing missing and nothing broken. The fullness of shalom prosperity communicates to us that a loving God wants only the best for His children and that deprivation and lack are not a part of His plan. The truth is, everything God has ever made was/is good (Genesis 1:31). There was no death, poverty, disease, hunger, or insufficiency until Man fell from God’s purpose and was expelled from the Garden (Genesis 3:17, 23-24); these things came from the curse, not from God.

In fact, only sin could have caused our loving God to allow deviation from His original plan of shalom prosperity. And so, because of that love, He sent Jesus to die on the Cross of Calvary to pay for sin our so that abundant life and prosperity could be restored to Believers by faith (Galatians 3:8-9). Since shalom prosperity has been restored, it is now up to each of us to learn how to both claim it and then receive it for our life and family.

In defining prosperity, it’s important to emphasize that financial prosperity cannot be excluded from this biblical perspective even though manmade religion has tried for the last two thousand years to glorify poverty. The truth is there is no place in scripture under either the Old or New Covenants where financial prosperity was specifically excluded from God’s plan for His people. Nevertheless some people want to believe that under the New Covenant, some degree of poverty or lack is an essential requirement for achieving humility and that financial prosperity is no longer a part of God’s plan even though it doesn’t say that anywhere in the Word. What it does say is that humbleness comes from casting our burdens and anxieties on Christ (1 Peter 5:6-7), not from trying to be poor.

Moreover, the definition of the Greek word euodoo that is translated prosperity or prosper in the New Testament clearly includes financial prosperity (specifically it means “success in business”). A good example of its use can be found in 3 John 2 where the Apostle prays that we might prosper and be in good health, just as our souls prosper. The wording serves to emphasize that he was intending to specifically include financial prosperity in his prayer. With this in mind, why would he have prayed for us to enjoy financial prosperity if it was no longer part of God’s plan? Besides, how would we be able to perform good deeds and bless others financially (2 Corinthians 9:8- 9) if we didn’t have funds to give away? And, why would Jesus have dedicated two-thirds of His parables to the subjects of property ownership and handling money if we are supposed to be poor?

The truth is, God is not glorified by poverty. It didn’t (and doesn’t) come from Him; it came from the Curse and God still prefers financial prosperity for His New Testament children just as He did for those under the Old Covenant. In fact, the Bible says that the New Testament is a better covenant (Hebrews 7:22). Therefore, if God gave us financial prosperity and the ability to obtain wealth under the Old Covenant (Deuteronomy 8:18), does it seem reasonable that He would have exchanged those things for poverty and lack under a better one? When we consider all of the scripture just as it is written instead of only a few parts that have been twisted to support pre- conceived ideas, surely we must conclude that God really does want financial prosperity for His people.

But there is still more about Biblical prosperity that you need to know! Another Hebrew word in scripture that was often translated prosperity is tsalach. Tsalach prosperity involves a type of success in life that results from being pushed forward. In other words, true Biblical prosperity comes as a result of assistance from a stronger power. It is a greater prosperity than you are able to obtain on your own and you need help to get it. Therefore, tsalach prosperity manifests when God is pushing you and guiding you into it and can only come when He is at the controls ordering your steps.

But there is still more! The complete meaning of tsalach prosperity is that God wants to keep on pushing you until you experience a breakthrough to the fullness of success in every area of your life. This is the real prosperity our loving God has for us. His prosperity is greater than anything you can possibly imagine and He is the only One that can deliver it. Open your concordance, study the Scripture for yourself and stop letting people and your enemy the devil rob you of the breakthrough Jesus died for you to have!

The prosperity that God has for His children is greater and deeper than we can imagine. The fullness of its meaning is that nothing is missing and nothing is broken in your life. He wants to push you forward into His prosperity and success and He will keep pushing until you experience a breakthrough. In sum, the first law of biblical prosperity is to accept as fact that God wants you to be prosperous and He will do everything He can to help you achieve it. If you want it, you can have it. The Lord will see that it happens. Your job is to learn about the laws that govern prosperity, to know what you are to do with that prosperity when you receive it (so you won’t mishandle it and consume it all on yourself), to confess the truth of God’s Word and to be obedient when He tells you what to do.

God bless you and thank you for reading Prosperous Life Newsletter today. If it hasn’t happened already, may you soon see the breakthrough of God manifested in your life, in Jesus’ name. Just ask Him for it and take a stand on the truth of God’s Word. Your breakthrough is now on the way!

If you have never invited Jesus to become the Lord of your life, you can do so today by saying the following simple prayer: Jesus I believe in you and I receive you as my Lord and Savior. Please forgive me for my sins and come into my life today.

If you were sincere as you prayed this prayer, God has already come into your life and you are a new creation. Congratulations! Now ask the Lord to lead you to a bible teaching church where you can be developed to fulfill your potential in the Kingdom of God. And please send us an e-mail announcing your decision so we can rejoice with the angels. God bless you.

It would bless us to have an opportunity to answer your questions concerning any of the financial areas covered by this ministry. We would also be happy to consider your comments and suggestions. Please feel free to e-mail them to us or give us a call anytime during normal business hours at our toll free number 1-800-357-4223.