Prosperity cannot be the main focus of our ministry, nor should the idea be absent from our ministry. The first step in knowing what to teach about prosperity involves knowing what it entails.

Prosperity is freedom. An example is found in the story of Israel's exodus from Egypt (see Ex. 12:31-36). The primary fact of the exodus was that the Hebrews were leaving their former existence as slaves. God has also freed us from our slavery to sin and ourselves. That is prosperity.

Prosperity is God's blessing. As Pharaoh

"When we're demonstrating a genuine interest in the community and its welfare, the church is an institution that brings stability to the community," Bernard says.

1. Not placing Jesus first in my finances. For years I used the excuse that I couldn't afford to tithe. Through some painful financial lessons, however, God showed me that I couldn't afford not to tithe. He pointed me to Matthew 6:21: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." At that point I completely surrendered the 10 percent—and I've never missed it since.

Calvary Assembly of God in Winter Park, Florida, recently celebrated an achievement that reversed a curse on our church. We wept, shouted, laughed and had the time of our lives celebrating becoming free of debt. It was a huge accomplishment for us. Calvary had suffered for years--at times with excruciating pain--because of this mountain of debt. By God's grace, it will never happen again!

This wasn't the first time I had been in this type of situation. In 1986 I became the pastor of another church deeply in debt. The leaders could see no way out. The bond company that underwrote the mortgage was breathing down our necks and would soon take legal action against us. God provided a miracle of provision, and we made our payment--but it was years before we became debt-free.

They’re constantly on the prowl for easy prey in the church—typically widows, widowers, the recently divorced and the relationship-starved. The more money you have, the bigger a target you are. Here you’ll meet one such charlatan—Jane Smith. Her name and those of her victims have been changed, but her story is true.

While you observe examples of her well-practiced art of deception, you’ll also hear from Jeffrey P. Bjorck, a licensed clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary’s Graduate School of Psychology, as well as Wayde Goodall, pastor of Winston-Salem (North Carolina) First Assembly of God.