Text — Proverbs 27:23-27

1. Introduction
   1. If you study the history of revivals in the Western World, you learn that almost all of them started with the underclass. Following conversion, by keeping the commandments, discovering wisdom, and enjoying God’s blessing they began to prosper until they moved into the middle and upper classes.
   2. Many people today are under the illusion that prosperity is acquired either by luck or by less than moral means such as using people, or oppressing people, or by dishonesty.
   3. However, here in America, prosperity is available to all, by following scripture.
   4. Our working definition of prosperity is being content with enough; being blessed by abundance.
   5. Today we address Principle #2 in our study of 7 Principles of Prosperity: Prosperity is Earned.
2. Review of Proverbs
   1. 10:4
   2. 12:24
   3. 12:27
   4. 13:4
   5. 22:29
   6. From these proverbs two things stand out:
      1. Diligence leads to prosperity
      2. Laziness and chasing fantasies leads to poverty and slavery.
3. Explanation of the Text
   1. V. 23 “Be sure to know the condition of your flocks . . .”speaks of managing your assets. If you are to prosper you must pay attention to your assets and manage them. Generationally poor people do not manage their money, they spend it.
   2. V. 24 “Riches do not endure forever . . .” There will be times of reverses. Unless you are paying attention it will send you into poverty.
   3. Vv. 25-25 is the general truth that if you manage your assets, you will prosper and have enough to take care of your needs and those whom you employ.
4. America was founded upon the principle of equal opportunity. Anyone could become president. However, with Karl Mark and the rise of socialism, the conflict that is dividing our nation is whether we can keep the fruits of our labor or whether we are forced to share it with those who have not worked as hard as we have.
   1. “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs” as Karl Marx popularized.
5. This is especially true among the Millennials.
   1. College-aged Millennials Only Group Favorable to Socialism
   2. College-aged Americans Like Capitalism about as Much as Socialism
   3. Millennials Favor Free Market Economy
   4. Millennials are less willing to pay more for the social safety net the more they earn.
   5. Opposition to Income redistribution rises with increasing income.
6. What is Socialism?
   1. Government owns means of production
   2. Centrally planned Economy
7. What are the consequences?
   1. Market determination of consumer need meets supply
   2. Political Repression.
   3. Moral dangers.
      1. Hurts the human spirit because one does not enjoy the fruits of their labor.
   4. Secular and represses religious freedom
8. Conclusion
   1. Do not be fooled by politicians who promise a better America by taking away our freedom, our money, and our Bibles.