excerpt from "How To Maximize Your Life" by Brian Houston.
"Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God." (Psalm 92:13)
There is nothing I like better than to see God's people expanding and increasing in every area of their lives. I believe you are alive to make a difference, and an increased life empowers you to impact and influence others in a positive way.
There are some who would argue against the need for Christians to be prosperous or successful, but I present this question: Is it an option for believers to flourish when it is in their hand to do so, or is it a responsibility? In fact, there are three important reasons why God's people should live flourishing lives. Firstly, when we flourish across every aspect of our lives, we are aligning ourselves with the objectives of Jesus. He said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10).
God's purpose and intention is clearly that we should have an abundant life - that means bountiful, productive, successful, prosperous, and flourishing! This kind of abundant life reveals and demonstrates the power of God to others.
The second reason why I believe it is important for God's people to flourish is that it empowers us to have a greater impact. Our ability to make a difference in the lives of others is limited if we are crippled by debt, sickness or emotional dysfunction. Certainly, our God is a present help for anyone in trouble, but His purpose is to help people to overcome these difficulties so we can be a position of strength to help others.
Thirdly, I believe if people cannot flourish, they are unlikely to stay planted. The House of the Lord should be an environment where people can flourish and become who God purposed them to be. I don't believe God intended His church to remain small and contained, bur rather to keep expanding and enlarging, giving people an opportunity to reach their potential.
