Live above your own means.

Many of us put limits on what God can — and is willing — to do for us. We severely limit our prosperity when we base it on our own ability and circumstances. Not having a good education or being born “on the wrong side of the tracks” or into a broken family—in God’s plan and purpose, none of these things disqualify you from His greatest resources.

Truth #1: God has an unlimited supply of resources for you! And His greatest desire is that we receive them and live far beyond our own means (Matthew 6:33).

Truth #2: God isn’t holding back on you. The wrong impression we have about God (and give to others) is twofold:

1. We are waiting for God to bless us. That it’s all up to Him, so we must continually beg Him in our prayers. No! He’s waiting for us.

2. We have to earn God’s blessings. No again! All of God’s blessings are freely given because of His unconditional love (John 3:16 & Eph. 2:8,9).

Truth #3: Your heart must be pure. Your desire to prosper shouldn’t be motivated by selfishness. God isn’t opposed to us having material blessings. He is looking for people who want to live larger for Him. He wants people who will use His resources to expand His influence and His kingdom in every way possible. Selfishness can greatly hinder our level of prosperity.

Truth #4: We must be willing to make room for increase. Many of us have the right heart, believe God has all the resources we need and that He is not holding anything back, but our thinking — and faith — is too small. (As a man thinks in his heart; so shall he be).

Maybe we’re believing God for a hundred-dollar blessing when He wants to give us a thousand! We stop at believing for our marriage not to cause us problems, when God wants us to experience marital bliss! Or we just trust Him for a raise, when He has in mind a new job, a higher position and a tripled income!

God first releases His resources in our hearts and minds before they ever become a reality in our lives (Eph. 3:20). In other words, you must see it in your imagination before you can receive it in reality. Make room by stretching your imagination to believe what God says He wants to give you (Hebrews 11:6).

You and I determine our level of prosperity — not God. We can raise our level of prosperity by walking in agreement with these truths. Start today to apply them. Let the Holy Spirit paint on the canvas of your heart the increase God desires to give you!