The world's system for prospering can wear you out and disappoint you, because it is based on mimicking the Jones' whether or not you have or ever will have their level of income. You’re constantly pushed by other people and by your own mind to show your status through the home you live in, the cars you drive, and the clothes and jewelry you wear. Satan and his demonic cohorts also push temptations through your thought life that attempt to increase your desire to frequently get bigger homes, cars, clothes, jewelry, and other material things that make it look like you're continually prospering.
In addition, satan continually tempts you to have the herd mentality like the masses; seeking to make your life so busy that it becomes hectic and of little value to those people to whom it should have the greatest value: your spouse, children, family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. In some instances, he and his minions convince you to be a respecter of persons who stops fellowshipping with everyone you perceive as unsuccessful and insignificant; those that don't look or act like they are successful or that don't have a business, position, or title that represents the upward mobility he wants you to seek above all else. He wants you to believe success is possible and best using only extreme human effort and that it does not require a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Such attitudes and actions cause peace and joy to evaporate from your life because they are relationship busters. They are subtly rooted in the mindset that success occurs only when you spend all your time networking with so-called successful people. While it is important that you find godly men and women role models who are successful in business and ministry, you'll wreck your life and God's purpose for you when trying to be successful by forsaking relationships with other people whose income, wealth, and social status in the eyes of men is less than yours.
Allow Jesus to help you rest by learning from Him to forsake the world's ways by condescending to men of low estate, faithfully attending a local bible believing church fellowship, giving abundantly to ministry endeavors in order to honor Him, living beneath your current level of income, planning and taking action to become debt-free, saving and investing, diversifying your assets, refusing to let your life be guided by competition with the Joneses, and refusing to be a respecter of persons.
Remember, Jesus entered into relationship with a group of men (the disciples) who by the world’s standards were considered uneducated bottom feeders. Yet, He developed relationship with them over the course of three and a half years and then utilized them to spread the gospel to the ends of the known world, deliver millions from satanic bondage, and bring healing to millions who were sick and afflicted.
The bible helps you understand that being rich with great social status on earth is not a measure that God uses to judge a person’s heavenly eternal status. Neither should we. Some people who have held high earthly positions will not be esteemed when they stand in front of God on Judgment Day. God desires to prosper every one of His children so we can have greater resources to build His kingdom on earth. However, the failure of some people (rich, middle class, and poor) to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and their resulting attitudes and actions make them eternally poor.
All that you are and ever hope to be must come from your relationship with Him and will include relationships and associations with people who are less fortunate on earth than you are. You must do as Jesus did and be around people of various cultures, incomes, and levels of wealth according to where God plants you. This is necessary in order to win many people to Jesus Christ.
By the power of the Holy Spirit you must developing relationships with unbelievers in marketplace and neighborhood venues while also refusing to mimic ungodly activities in their lives. You must remain unspotted by the world because God desires that you teach them His will and ways. Constantly maturing in Christ-likeness (including utilizing God’s biblical financial plan) is one of the greatest teaching methods you can employ in reaching the people groups God has placed you among.
So enter into the rest that Father God made possible for you through trusting Christ, taking His path, and allowing Him to make you successful in a way that please the Father and honors your spouse, children, and other people. This lifestyle will bring and maintain peace and joy in your life.
Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!
Psalms 116:6-8, Jeremiah 6:16, Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 4:1-3
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You can find books authored by Randy and Karen Parlor at www.Amazon.com.
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