Podcast Summary: Developing For Prosperity, Part One

Speaker: Morgan Dufresne
Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Recorded at: World Harvest Church, Murrieta, CA
Date: November 2, 2021

Overview

In this episode, Morgan Dufresne explores the biblical foundation of prosperity, emphasizing that prosperity involves more than prayer and faith confessions—it requires deliberate personal development. Drawing from Mark 11 and other key scriptures, she encourages listeners to focus on spiritual and mental growth so they can handle prosperity God’s way, be a blessing to others, and maintain right priorities. The episode also addresses pitfalls in business and ministry, using both biblical and historical Christian examples, and cautions believers to keep God as their first love amidst material increase.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Words & Authority (00:45–05:00)

• Scripture Focus: Mark 11:23-24; power of spoken words to affect circumstances.
  • "The words from your mouth carry with it the authority, the God-given authority to move, to change, and to direct any circumstance in your life." (Morgan Dufresne, 02:20)
• Jesus’ lesson with the barren fig tree highlights believers’ right to use faith-filled words.

2. God’s Plan for Prosperity: More Than “Name It & Claim It” (05:01–15:30)

• God’s plan is not just for us to call in prosperity, but to develop for it.
  • "God's plan is not just for us to believe and call for prosperity, but to develop for it." (Morgan Dufresne, 07:05)
• Teaching from Kenneth Hagin about speaking to needs, but warning against reducing this to a mechanical formula.
• Focus Shift: From mere material gain to becoming someone whose development allows them to be a blessing in every need, not just finances.

3. True Prosperity: Blessing Others (15:31–19:30)

• Referencing Peter and John in Acts 3: It’s not just about having money, but being able to impart life-changing help.
  • "If you're just interested in money, you have nothing to offer…the one who is suicidal. But if you will develop yourself…then you will have something to offer everybody." (Morgan Dufresne, 14:50)
• Key Point: Developing for prosperity means being equipped to meet all kinds of needs, not just material ones.

4. Soul Prosperity Comes First (19:31–23:30)

• 3 John 2: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
• "Let prosperity develop as you develop. Let healing develop as you develop. God’s interested in you." (Morgan Dufresne, 21:00)
• Over-fixation on one’s “call” in ministry or business can become a distraction from relationship with God.

5. Development in God Produces Lasting Results (23:31–30:00)

• True spiritual development leads to effective service, right use of influence and resources, and a correct relationship to “assignment” and “call.”
  • “When you develop spiritually, you become in charge of every assignment that God puts on your life. And you can do it from a place full of Him.” (Morgan Dufresne, 26:05)

6. The Role of Thinking: “How to Think”—Not Just “What to Think” (30:01–38:00)

• Importance of transforming your mind (Romans 12) and disciplining thoughts.
• "Our responsibility as believers in…developing ourselves for prosperity, is going to be number one, how we think, not just what we think, how we think." (Morgan Dufresne, 33:00)
• Training the mind to follow God’s word, shutting out carnal or worry-based thinking to hear from the Spirit.

7. Our Responsibility as “First Funders” (38:01–44:30)

• God wants to prosper those already faithful, not just attract outside donors.
  • "You and I are the first anointed to fund this ministry…we are first called, we are first anointed." (Morgan Dufresne, 40:45)
• Financial increase is linked to personal righteousness and character.
• "To the degree of your character and your level of walking in righteousness is to the degree that you qualify for prosperity." (Morgan Dufresne, 43:15)

8. God Provides More as We Develop (44:31–54:00)

• Jesus fed the multitude with what was available; the miracle began with recognizing & blessing what was already present.
• "What is in your hand today is enough if you will develop yourself…" (Morgan Dufresne, 50:00)
• Emphasis on blessing what you have and growing in wisdom for increase.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Priorities:
  "If you don't develop for it, you'll lose it. Or you won't even know what to do with it when it comes." (Morgan Dufresne, 46:30)
• On Limiting Ourselves:
  "God is not limiting any one of us. Only we can limit ourselves. So if you feel a limit on you today, God did not put it there." (Morgan Dufresne, 52:45)
• On Practical Faith:
  "Nobody gets a promotion just because they think good, right? On a job. Nobody gets a promotion because they think really good. Why? It's because they think right, then they do right…Actions beget promotion." (Morgan Dufresne, 59:30)

Case Study: Smith Wigglesworth’s Business & Spiritual Pitfall (01:02:45–01:12:30)

• Morgan recounts how Smith Wigglesworth, famed British evangelist, experienced spiritual decline when his plumbing business became his priority over spiritual growth and marriage.
  • "He began to backslide because of a business. No doubt this business...money became first place instead of what was his development." (Morgan Dufresne, 01:06:00)
• His wife, Polly, steadied their marriage and helped him return to spiritual health.
  • Polly: “I know you’re my husband, but Christ is my master.” (quoted by Morgan Dufresne, 01:09:15)
• Takeaway: Yield business and material gain to God; prosperity must not cost you spiritually or relationally.

Closing Thoughts & Takeaways

• Prosperity is a By-Product: It flows from spiritual development, not simply faith confessions or desire for material increase.
• God’s Increase is for the Developed: Prosperity, influence, and responsibility come when believers are prepared in character, wisdom, and spiritual maturity.
• Be Ready to Be First: Instead of waiting for others, be spiritually and practically ready to be “first funders” in your church, community, or business.
• Guard Your Priorities: Make God—not business or financial opportunity—your first love and focus, so that blessings enhance rather than distract from your purpose and relationships.

Key Timestamps

• 00:45 – Biblical foundation: Mark 11, power of words
• 07:05 – "Develop for prosperity" vs "just call for it"
• 14:50 – Prosperity means being a blessing in all needs
• 21:00 – Prosperity follows soul prosperity (3 John 2)
• 26:05 – True spiritual development brings authority over assignments
• 33:00 – How to think is crucial; discipline the mind
• 40:45 – Be “first funders” for the kingdom
• 46:30 – Dangers of getting prosperity without development
• 50:00 – Bless what’s already in your hand
• 59:30 – Actions (not just prayers or confessions) result in promotion
• 01:06:00 – Smith Wigglesworth’s business and spiritual decline
• 01:09:15 – Polly’s famous line: “I know you’re my husband, but Christ is my master.”

In Morgan’s words:
“It’s development, not opportunity that we pursue and are hungry for… as God begins to increase us and increase you in your business, let us be to the place of development, where we always keep Him as our first love.” (01:10:50)