A couple of weeks ago, I sent out a few questions to my list.  They were…

Do you still believe in wealth and prosperity?  Or have you been kicked
down so much in the last year or two that you don’t really know what
to believe?  Does the very word “wealth” now have a negative connotation? 

Are you more concerned about financial freedom or financial security? 

What are your biggest financial concerns right now? 

Just thought you would like to see what others are saying.  Here are some of the responses below (I took out any personal info).  Please add a comment below if you want to add to anything!

I will always believe in God’s will for us to prosper and to help others do the same. 
Financial Freedom is my focus. My biggest concern is getting the right information concerning what I desire to do and then applying that information properly.
Wealth does not have a negative tone with me.
Earnest D.

Prosper is a word found in the OT and NT. In Hebrew, prosper has two meanings. 1. It literally means for God to come upon a person. In other words, God takes over their life and cleans it up. 2. He blesses them, physically, spiritually, emotionally, relationally and financially.
A good example of both meanings was demonstrated in the life of David. He endured years of suffering before he became king. Solomon got it all without any suffering. The difference is astounding. David was known as a man after God’s own heart, while Solomon led Israel astray. Solomon was unbroken. David was not. When God wants someone to prosper, he cleans house. That’s first. If there’s somthing in the person’s life that causes them to be subject to the enemy’s schemes, God wants that out of the person before they ascend to the top.
That is what happened to me. God is more interested in the condition of my soul than the size of my bank account, and He had to clean both of them out before I was ready to prosper.
To make a long story short, I lost everything- except one house. It’s a good deal- a sandwich lease that earned me 5,000 up front and approximately $17,000 on the back end, when I sell it. Everything else went down the tubes. But God did a great work in my heart, and readjusted my thinking. Now I’m not afraid of losing money, time, reputation, comfort, security, friends, opportunities, or even my own life. Don’t get me wrong- I still struggle with fear, but it’s like an illusion that I have to dismiss, rather than the crippling force it was.
I’m a lot happier. I’ve learned, like Paul, that whether I abound or am abased, I am content, because God is with me. I want to be gloriously wealthy, but I want to do it His way, and that usually requires patience. Thanks for sending the questions, and thanks for being you.
Caleb R.

#1 Wealth does not have a negative connotation but it does seem less attainable in today’s economic environment.
 #2 Financial Freedom / independence is the ideal, security would be an added benefit but is in and of itself a myth since our ultimate security is in Christ and not our financial statements.
#3 the devaluation of the US dollar, the economy, and an out of control government that seems determined to “steal” that which we have sacrificed to save, plan, an invest in preparation for the future.
Marty R.

Wealth does not have a negative connotation with me.  Poverty of the heart has a sad and negative connotation with me.  I think of the verses in Colossians 2:2,3; “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  NIV  Cannot put a dollar price tag on opening up all the Godly treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  Dollars pass away.  Building Godly love and life doesn’t.
Hard to believe there is such a thing as financial security.   (Just when you think you’re set… who would have ever saw that coming.)   Financial freedom means there is a way out of a trap and financial prison and a way to avoid getting into one.  It also means having the ability to help free others.
Jack C.

Wealth is not a ‘bad’ word.
I’m concerned about paying monthly bills and getting out of debt.
Financial security.
Brad Y.

Everything is up to God! Whatever happens happens!
Trev

The word wealth has even more importance than ever, as nothing can be taken for granted in life any longer.  I believe that there are loads of opportunities waiting for attention and people with energy to develop them.  Times of challenge often the times for new solutions and great innovations.
During the last year, I have had more concerns about financial security. I used these concerns to motivate me to learn about how I may grow my wealth.  I am now excited about the possibilities and am working on a number of them.
Concerns?
1) Trying too many different wealth creation ideas at the same time, and not mastering any of them.
2) Maintaining a risk-balanced portfolio of wealth creation strategies.
3) Growing positive cashflow
Iain P.

I believe in wealth and prosperity.  The word wealth is a good thing and intended for those who want it.  I am concerned about financial freedom because it seems our own government is trying to take it away.  My biggest Financial concerns are coming up with the plan that will bring me to financial freedom and get me out of the the daily grind we live in and out of the hole I put myself in.  All of the daily distractions are pulling my focus from what God really has in store.  The one or many big ideas not yet fulfilled.
Shawn D.

I believe that we prosper as our souls prosper and yes I believe to have prosperity it starts with your mindset and perceptions of God, yourself, the body of Christ and others.  Obviously if we have the wrong perceptions, we will miss out on responding properly.
I believe God wants us to have more than enough to be able to give away.  I believe He is raising up Joseph’s to be able to help out in the trying times ahead.
I think that wealth typically has ‘gotten’ a bad name.  But again I believe it is in our perspective.  I think to look at it only from a monetary point of view is missing the mark.  I also believe that we need to change our view of wealth as being a bad thing.
I am concerned more for financial security given the state of affairs with China owning most of our country, the dollar falling and just what might happen in a year or two.
[Concerns?]  Getting totally out of debt, increasing cash flow, and having a reserve in the right form (gold and silver).  Also, I am interested in finding a new business that would be of help to others in a difficult economy.
Michelle H.

I do still believe in wealth and prosperity. For me it does not have a negative connotation. My concern is in the managing of it and how not to partner with corrupt government officials and banking institutions that have their own interests above and at the expense of the working class people and that are responsible for getting our economy in the shape that it is in.
Right now I am more concerned about financial freedom. By basic needs are met and I am out of debt. However I feel limited with where I can go, what I can do, giving, etc. and don’t want to have to be so concerned about budget.
My biggest financial concern right now is how to create passive income so that I can focus on working for the kingdom of God. I don’t have the funds to invest in real estate right now, so there needs to be another way. I want to do some writing and hopefully generate income from that, but just don’t know how to do that right now, and I don’t want to invest any more money in other people’s programs they are marketing as that has never paid off for me in the past.
Kathy S.

Q1- Yes, I do believe in wealth and prosperity
Q2- I know  I’ve been kicked down in the past, but somehow , somewhere in the back of my mind I still feel/know it is possible to achieve wealth.
Q3- Not really.I reckon wealth is about perception, how one sees themselves, having a focused mind, sheer determination to accomplish anything, passion, and that one ‘goal’.
Q4- More concerned about financial freedom, with the future generation in mind.
Q5- Biggest concerns- a mortgage, wedding finance, business funds, -pension, etc.
L Osedo

Do I still believe in wealth and prosperity?  Yes, I do because it’s still in the Word of God.  That said I am consistently refining my belief in this area to be more as to what I see God’s Word says about it.  I think as Christians we must, or should I say MUST, be ever willing to confirm our beliefs are what we see He has promised or planned.  I see more today than in the past few years how much our natural wealth comes as a result of what is promised in Matthew after we ‘seek first the Kingdom of God.’
Does the word wealth have a negative connotation?  To too many Christians it does but not to me.  Two things along this thought: 1) If the devil knew all it would take to get you away from serving God is a bunch of money, he’d make sure you had plenty of it.  In other words satan would pay for your eternity to be destroyed if he knew he could.
2) If God created the earth and all its fulness for His children and Jesus died to get it back to us, why should we be wrong in wanting, taking or receiving it?
Lara Y.

 Mark, I still believe in Gods word and his covenant promises to bless us , so Yes I do [still believe in wealth and prosperity].  The past 2 years have been tough to say the least but we live in a world wrecked by mans systems and we have to hear Gods word to find our way through the smoke. I have been somewhat passive about new business adventures and progressive ways but now I see 2011 as a year to reload and come out of the shelter.
[Concerns?] Basic planning and bill paying is more of a concern,but it has made us wiser.
Randy W.

Hi Mark, thanks for working hard to help with increasing our financial knowledge towards doing things God’s way. For the first question, I’m a firm believer of wealth and prosperity. If God gives the power to obtain wealth (Deut 8:18) how can we not believe in wealth and prosperity, especially after the way He blessed Solomon!
After reading a few financial books and gaining a bit of understanding on handling finances with wisdom, I’ve realized that freedom is better than security. When you think about it, it’s better to know that your investments are covering your expenses, so you can invest your time in helping others and enjoying your life, as opposed to, knowing that you
have plenty of money to survive for long periods of time but still have to pour a lot of blood, sweat and tears into getting it. When someone is presented with a choice concerning living right financially, who would argue the latter? Only workaholics!
Right now, my financial concerns concern getting a decent income each month to start an online business. If I can get any online job that will help with putting something in my paypal account then I can start up my own website and move on from there.
Tarisai M.

I believe in wealth and prosperity. I am more concerned about financial freedom.
Thanks.
Peter.

I do believe in wealth and prosperity, but only as a working tool to continually help others in need.  In these hard times, I personally believe it’s wrong to stockpile and accumulate wealth for oneself, when so many people around us are suffering and out of work.  As a blue collar working man myself, a wealthy person with millions in the bank is the equivalent of a worker showing up on a jobsite with a truck full of tools, only to sit and watch others work.  If the tool of money isn’t being circulated and distributed responsibly so that others benefit, then it’s a merely another false god being bowed down to.
Financial freedom, meaning the power to decide how my day is spent and, likewise, how the money I’m entrusted with is spent.   I have little interest in accumulating money for the sake of “financial security”.  When you stop and think about it, both the terms “financial freedom” and “financial security” seem to be a bit of an oxymoron for a practicing Christian.
The local bank lending scene has deteriorated so badly that small businesses in my area that operate on credit are finding it harder and harder to continue doing business.  Money is not being circulated and distributed to responsible lenders, and basically only those who need it the least (ie, those with accumulated wealth) are benefiting from low interest lending.  If this continues, more and more businesses will continue to fold up, eventually including my own.
David O.

Wealth was established by GOD,  not man…He owns it all….It is only through the grace of God and the witty inventions HE gave men that wealth started it’s transfer… I am still “waiting on the wealth of the wicked which is laid up for the righteous”.
Yes, God’s blessings are for all and it DOES NOT ALWAYS COME IN MONETARY ways.
Meg W.

I definitely still believe in wealth and prosperity.  We have been kicked in the teeth all right, and are still a few months away from digging out of the hole we created for ourselves when we bought the wrong houses a few years back.  Had I executed the plan correctly it wouldn’t have happened, so it’s my own fault.  But it has been painful to say the least.  That said, I also believe God used my colossal failure to show me where he wanted me to focus my energies (in my writing).  So it may be that I simply had the order of operations backwards like I did back in Miss Chastain’s Algebra class in 1988.   Maybe instead of real estate enabling me to write, maybe writing will enable me to buy real estate.
We’re still in holding mode as far as real estate goes, so I don’t plan to buy anything within the next few months, maybe not this year.  But I still believe that if I can get the right property and hold onto it with positive cash flow each month, then that positive cash flow will be at least one of the savings accounts we need for [our kids'] college fund.  I agree with the assertion that we have to buy based on cash flow sense rather than “maybe it’ll be worth lots more in the future and it’ll all be worth it.”
But God’s word and principles of wealth-building haven’t been affected by the housing woes of late.  Let’s not forget that.
Daryl