Kris Valloton
Introduction
Set Sail on the Sea of Possibility
I wrote the book Poverty, Riches and Wealth: Moving from a Life of Lack into True Kingdom Abundance, and I put together this curriculum to go along with it, as a way of helping believers who are anchored to the shore of small thinking in terms of wealth to hoist anchor and set sail on the sea of possibility. I was anchored to that poverty-stricken shore myself for a very long time, and I will tell you more about that and the effects it had on my life, my family and my business ventures. I was wholly convinced that poverty was the pinnacle of spiritual enlightenment, whereas wealth and riches were treacherous waters to avoid at all costs. And avoid them I did, sometimes going to great lengths to do so.
The problem is, avoiding wealth entirely costs you true Kingdom abundance, which is too high a price to pay for the “comfort” and familiarity of living in a poverty mindset. God looks at wealth in an entirely different way than most of us do, and as we will see throughout this study, there is a world of difference between Kingdom wealth and earthly riches. Kingdom wealth encompasses so much more than money—although it may (or may not) include that. When we understand God’s definitions of wealth and contrast them with the usual definitions of being rich or poor, it opens up a world of possibilities before us. But it means redefining prosperity on His terms, not on our own terms or in terms of the much-maligned “prosperity gospel.”
Prosperity is a risky topic among Christians, as I am sure you already know if you have ever tried talking about it. And the poverty mindset is well entrenched not only among the actual poor, but also among many believers who enshrine poverty as a spiritual prize. Then there are the ever-present critics who will be sure to question your motives for joining a study with riches and wealth in the title. (Poverty is a much more acceptable term in Christian circles, but it is only one monetary term out of three in my book title.) Yet true Kingdom wealth always requires risk. And it always benefits others, not just ourselves.
In fact, you are not in this for you. The greatest effect of your walking in true Kingdom wealth will be the positive influence it has on others. We will talk a lot about how the best thing for the world around us is when we embrace our God-given identity as His noble sons and daughters and fulfill His divine purposes for us. That includes walking in the abundance He has for us—and for us to share.
“If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship,” said Thomas Aquinas, “he would keep it in port forever.” But preserving our comfort, convenience and, yes, cowardice, living on the shore of small thinking, is not our aim. Our aim is for God’s greatness, glory and splendor to be revealed through us in every way.
I am glad you are taking the risk of joining me on this journey to make an impact on the world for good, by the God who knows no impossibilities. So let’s set sail on the sea of possibilities. The voyage will be exciting, adventurous and maybe even treacherous at times, but it will bring the richness of heaven to earth as we live in all the abundance He has provided for us, so we can carry out all He has called us to do. May it be on earth as it is in heaven!