Earlier this month we entered the 40 Day Jewish Teshuvah season of repentance. Many believe it was during the Teshuvah season that Jesus went to the desert for His 40-day time of testing.
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There are many lessons which can be learned from Jesus’ 40-day temptation. But with His answers to Satan’s three challenges, Jesus also taught us how to live by faith and prosper.
You remember the story. Jesus had fasted for 40 days and was close to starving to death. Satan chose that moment to make his famous temptation for Jesus to turn the stones into bread. Jesus countered by saying “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4, NET). Of course the devil was a Bible scholar, so he knew Jesus was quoting from Deuteronomy 8:1-5. In that passage, God promised to prosper His children, but also to discipline them so they know they live by God’s words.
We must humble ourselves to know that God is our source of prosperity. Thinking in pride that we are our own source of prosperity leads to dependence on others like employers, government or banks and ultimately to bondage. Faith in God’s provision is the first secret of prosperity and financial freedom.
Seeing that the first test did not work, Satan then suggested that Jesus presume on His Father to suspend the law of gravity by jumping off the temple. Jesus responded by another quote from Deuteronomy (at 6:16a, NASB): “Do not test the Lord your God.” The whole passage (Deuteronomy 6:16-25) explains that obedience to God is key to our prosperity and to life itself. When it comes to money, God’s commands include working, giving, learning, saving and managing. Obedience to God’s commands is the second secret to prosperity.
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