Victor Chen Ministries

The recent times we have seen God allowing the current financial crisis to shake the world in order for us to return to Him. Clearly we have to trust God and not the worldly financial system. In response the churches have spoken the expected, 'God will bless you when others are struggling etc".

I went to a church that preached grace and prosperity for nearly 10 years. There were many pumped up because of the messages. However, the messages gives us a false sense business invincibility. Teenagers and even 90 year old grandmothers' were turning up for the prosperity and entrepreneurship meetings. It is ridiculous! A lot of them don't even have the basic 

business skills, ventured out and failed.

Prosperity will only come with God if we are ready. I have couple friend, Mark and Mae who truly loves God. They had the right foundation and today their businesses is growing tremendously.

I have a brother "A" whom I used a lot for designs and graphics but he had his house repossessed as his business failed. I met him 3 weeks ago for him to do some 3-D animation for me and he is still not realistic. I am trying to get him to take my animation to support my core business (children health supplements - www.fussyeaterfriends.blogspot.com) and he is talking about my animation etc to be like "Dreamworks". God gave me health supplements as a core, not "Dreamworks". Today, he is still struggling to put food on the table for the family.

I have poured over 200k into a business to help brother 'B', and after 5 years, I have not got a cent back. In fact he is still struggling. It was meant to be a side business but due to the gungho prosperity messages and the fact that there were some office politics, he came to the business full-time without even consulting with me. I felt heavy in the spirit then as we had no concrete business to sustain him, but he is a stubborn person and just came. Also he takes opinions and criticisms poorly. Each time I know he was not going to get the contract but he kept saying we must not doubt God. This 'must not doubt God ' thing is not even being truthful to himself. Sure we didn't get the government contracts that he worked very hard for, but with the 200k was gone in 2 years when we didn't even hold stocks.  I hold nothing against brother 'B" but when he does not listen to love ones and remain stubborn, he is a victim of himself.

I believe God does prosper, but we must acquire the skills and character first. Prosperity messages in the midst of the current economic crisis can be lifting but of no real substance if we do not have the business acumen and skills.  I have seen the prosperity message done its harm and I am worried it will do more as pastors don't really understand that it takes a lot to be an entrepreneur. 

God can only bless a business if it has the right foundation. Some pastors will tell you a big project will just land on your door, but this is not realistic. 

Start a business from basics and have a game plan (most don't), and come out full-time only when you can sustain.  You cannot come out full-time just because you are pursuing project A, B, C and D.