When you’re controlled by materialism. The flawed philosophy behind materialism is ‘more, more, more!’ And it’s the result of ‘eye trouble’. The Bible says, ‘The eyes of man are never satisfied.’ It’s okay to want a nice home, a reliable car, and financial security – and God will provide those things when you’re a good steward of what He has already entrusted you with. But when you want more than you need or more than what’s required to fulfil His will, the Bible calls it vanity. The word could be defined as being empty, hollow, or without purpose. Solomon writes, ‘He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity’ (Ecclesiastes 5:10 NKJV). So before you ask God for prosperity, ask Him to reveal your life’s purpose because they’re directly linked. Jesus said, ‘A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth’ (Luke 12:15 KJV). God uses a different measuring stick, and His Word says He is ‘able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work…Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and…your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God’ (2 Corinthians 9:8, 10-11 NIV). Is God willing to bless you financially? Yes, but only when you are willing to be a conduit and a distributor of His blessings.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.