My goal in this study course is to offer some help (in the form of sound teaching) to Christians who are struggling financially. I don't pretend to have all the answers, only a few that the Lord has shown to me. Most Christian believe that it is God's will that we prosper and have the things that we need in this life, but the facts are that there are many that don't.

Why not? I want to know, how about you?

How many of us have asked :

Why do the ungodly prosper?
Why does worldly people have a lot of money? etc.

These are some of the questions that I have asked and in this study I hope to share some answers that the Lord has given to me. May they be a blessing to you

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Luke 16:8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

Over the years I have met many Christians that were unwise when it comes to money. The above scripture says that the children of this world are wiser in their generation then the children of light.

Unsaved people of this world seem to be wiser concerning worldly principles then God's people do, when it comes to spiritual kingdom principles.

Some Christians get hung up on the faith principle, they think all they have to do is ask God for money and God will just drop it out of the sky. Wouldn't that make God a counterfeiter? Is faith important? Yes, but it is just one principle among many.

As an example, let us look at the following scriptures:

Mar 11:24-26 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (sounds pretty good doesn't it - but check out the rest of it)
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

In this sample of scripture we see the principles of prayer, faith and forgiving at work. If we won't forgive then we aren't forgiven and if we aren't forgiven then we are out of fellowship with God. If we are out of fellowship with God then faith for things, will not work.

Consider this:

1Peter 3:7 You husbands, in like manner, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered.

How I treat my wife may hinder my prayers.

What good is the following prayer---

O Lord please give me this amount of money, I need a new car, thank you in Jesus name!

If I treat my wife like a floor mat.

So apparently the principles of love, unselfishness, respect, etc. are at work as well.

So why do, some people have a lot (wealth, possessions etc.) even though they may be an atheist?

There are principles that work no matter who you are. I once asked the Lord. "why does this group of certain people seem to prosper, have good jobs, homes etc. The Lord gave me some answers.

This group of people have good family values. They teach their children the importance of an education. They instruct their children in a good work ethic. Most have summer jobs, saving toward a higher education, with higher education comes better paying jobs. These are just a few things that He showed me. Doesn't sound very spiritual does it? Just plain common sense.

These are just a few

A good education
Hard work
Being conservative
Being a wise steward
Being diligent
Good planning

I have met Christians who had great faith but no common sense.

The intent of this page was to show that there are other reasons why we don't prosper at times, even though we may have great faith. In the following pages we will look at other principles such as: priorities, wrong thinking, motive, individual responsibility, wisdom, giving, contentment, to mention a few.

In Christ's Service
E.L. Davis