First – WEALTH does not guarantee happiness, health, satisfaction, or security. In 1923, there was an important meeting at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. Nine of the world’s most successful financiers were there. Whatever became of these powerful men?

The president of the largest steel company, Charles Schwab, went bankrupt and lived on borrowed money before his death. The president of the largest utility company, Samuel Insull, was a fugitive from justice and died penniless in a foreign land. The president of the largest gas company, Howard Hopson, became mentally ill. The greatest wheat speculator, Arthur Cotton, died abroad insolvent. The president of the New York Stock Exchange, Richard Whitney, served time in Sing Sing Penitentiary. A member of the president’s cabinet, Albert Fall, was pardoned from prison so he could die at home. Three of the men who attended the meeting committed suicide.

Wealth doesn’t guarantee happiness. All these men had wealth, yet they died disillusioned, despondent, and defeated.

Jesus, said, “It is written, man does not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). King David lived a “rags to riches life” and gave us the key to his success in Psalm 18, “I love thee, O Lord, may strength . . the Lord is my rock . . . in whom I take refuge.” The prophet Isaiah urges us not to spend money on that which doesn’t satisfy. (See Isaiah 55.)

Second – the WISDOM of God’s Word can enable us to enjoy supernatural prosperity. There are natural and supernatural laws of harvest. In the book of Proverbs are many keys to abundance for those who will seek them out and apply them such as laws of investing, of sowing and reaping, staying out of debt, and many other principles. (See Proverbs 3:6-10; 6:6-11; 10:3-9, 20-23 for examples.)

Third – your WILL surrendered to God will keep you sane and satisfied. One of the most powerful keys is to understand that God owns everything. (See Psalm 24:1.) God owns all the silver and gold (Haggai 2:8). So what do we own? Really there is only one thing – our will. We are simply stewards or managers of His blessings. Our reasonable service is to do everything to God’s glory, to present our body and will in service to God (Romans 12:1, 2). God wants us to have plenty to meet our needs, it’s His will that we prosper. He wants to bless us so we can be a blessing to others. (See I Corinthians 9:7-10; Proverbs 11:24; Luke 6:38; Philippians 4:19; III John 2.)

Fourth – WORSHIP God with all your heart, soul, and strength. Our money and what we do with it is an indicator of where our heart is. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). One way to worship God and put Him first (Matthew 6:33), is to be obedient in tithing – 10% of all that God gives us – and giving to God (Luke 6:38). When we tithe God promises to bless us. (See Malachi 3:10.)

There is a story of a wealthy Englishman, Baron Fitzgerald, who had an only child, a son whom he dearly loved. He was the center of his father’s affection. After many years the Baron’s son died. The Baron had acquired a priceless art collection. Since he had no heirs, the baron left instructions in his will that an auction be held at the time of his death to sell his entire collection.

As the auctioneer pounded his gavel, the attorney read from the Baron’s will. The first painting to be auctioned off was the portrait of “My beloved son”. As the auctioneer asked for a bid, the room fell silent. No one wanted the portrait. Finally an old servant who had known the son and loved him, raised his hand offering less than one English pound. The portrait was his. The auctioneer rapped his gavel and asked the attorney to read from the will again. To the astonishment of everyone he read, “Whoever buys the painting of my son receives my entire art collection. The auction is over!” The servant inherited a collection worth millions.

That remarkable story demonstrates a father’s deep love for his son and how the father wished to reward someone who shared his love.

God says that we have received a bountiful inheritance through his beloved Son – Jesus. If we love Jesus and give our lives to Him, we too obtain the great riches of an inheritance in heaven and abundant life and true prosperity. We are promised, “Whoever has the Son has life; Who ever does not have His Son does not have life” (I John 5:122).

You can have a personal relationship with God and experience meaning, purpose, eternal life, and true prosperity all because of Jesus. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12).