A Biblical Prosperity Message (Part 2) by Michael Furlonger

This is Part 2 on the topic of a truly Biblical prosperity message. To read the first, click HERE. I felt the need to share the importance of reading the Bible accurately after a friend shared a false prosperity message. From that, I wrote about the time My Best Friend’s Wife Wrote Me A Love Letter.

Now, I do believe there is a genuine prosperity message that comes from God, not any of these prosperity preachers. Not because you go to church and put money in the offering plate, but because of God. So, last week I began to share on Biblical Prosperity through the story of Joseph from Genesis 37-39.

Recap: Joseph was sold as a slave by his brothers. He was bought as a slave by a man named Potiphar. The LORD was with Joseph while he was a slave and Potiphar raised him as an overseer, but a slave none-the-less. Potiphar’s wife wanted to sleep with Joseph, but Joseph declined so not to dishonour God. Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of rape and Potiphar threw him in prison.

But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. (Genesis 39:20-22)

Joseph Tells Cupbearer

Now, Joseph is in prison. Even though the LORD is with him and the prison warden notices this, Joseph is still in prison. The same as when Potiphar noticed that the LORD was with Joseph, Joseph was still a slave. That’s the rule I pointed out: Even though many preacher’s today preach immediate wealth, biblically, you can only prosper to the reach of the other person. Allow me to explain.

The prison warden noticed that there was something special about Joseph and placed him in charge. In time, Joseph finds two men in prison: the Pharaoh’s chief baker and the Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer (Genesis 40:1). While they are under Joseph’s watch, both of them appear troubled over their dreams.

Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” (Genesis 40:8)

So they tell Joseph their dreams. He tells the cupbearer that his dream speaks of him being reinstated as Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer (Genesis 40:12-15). The baker’s dream, however, spoke of him being hanged (Genesis 40:18-19). After the cupbearer is reinstated at Pharaoh’s side, he leaves the prison and Joseph is forgotten.

Cupbearer Tells Pharaoh

Joseph remains in prison for two more years, until Pharaoh has two dreams. It is at this point that the cupbearer remembers Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams and tells Pharaoh about him (Genesis 41:9-13). Pharaoh calls on Joseph and tells him his dreams (Genesis 41:14-15). And this is how Joseph replies,

 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (Genesis 41:16)

Pharaoh goes on to tell Joseph his dreams (Genesis 41:17-24). Joseph tell Pharaoh that his dreams speak of seven years of great prosperity followed by seven years of famine. He encourages Pharaoh to find someone to prepare for the famine (Genesis 41:25-36).

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” (Genesis 41:39-40)

Explanation:

There are two people that I want us to look at as we discuss Biblical prosperity: The Cupbearer and The Pharaoh.

If you lift up God, as Joseph credited God with his dream interpretations, people will notice. The cupbearer noticed. He couldn’t raise up (prosper) Joseph from his prison cell. Although it took two years for the opportunity to arise, but the cupbearer did tell Pharaoh of Joseph.

Allow me to repeat what Pharaoh said: “Only in respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” Even Pharaoh had his “limitations”. He could only raise him up to his level.

As we talk about Biblical prosperity, people will raise you up because they see God. Christian and non-Christian alike have an inner desire for godliness. Your employer may not be a church going Christian, but if he sees you speaking with a civil, respectful tongue, he will take notice. If you genuinely respect a customer, let the customer lift you up (cupbearer to Pharaoh).

But if you’re going to church thinking, “I’m going to put money in the offering plate, sing the songs and God will owe me one,” you’re lost.

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