Introduction

     Welcome to Get the Skinny on Prosperity.

     My name is Duke Clarke and unless you have been in my private coaching groups, visited my websites or have attended my public seminars, you probably have not heard of me—but that is about to change.

     Now STOP before you go any further and let me explain something very important. I believe that God wants you to prosper! That’s right; you just read the words “God” and “prosper” in the same sentence. Regardless of what you think right now, hold it in abeyance until I have a chance to share my point of view. God clearly says in III John 2, “Beloved I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth.” And thousands of years ago in the Book of Deuteronomy He said, “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God for it is He that giveth thee the power to get wealth,…”

     Not only do I believe these verses, but I believe that they should be at work in our lives today. Now, before you get too nervous about which path I am about to take you down, remember this book is about prosperity not religious doctrine or dogmas. However, from my standpoint, the laws that govern prosperity both biblical and universal must be examined in order to prosper. Let’s also remember that I am talking about financial prosperity now, not your riches in the kingdom to come. Perhaps now you should jump down to the section on Who Should Read This Book and see which statement applies to you.

Purpose

     So what is my purpose for writing this book? Well, let me first give you some background. In the late 60s and early 70s, I was a student at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. I was there to play football and get an education—in that order. It was the “Jesus People” era and new religious groups that broke away from the main stream churches. It was a time when college students, like me, were asking a lot of questions and wanting real answers.

     During college, I joined a Christian group. After graduation, I spent the next 17 years working as an ordained minister inside that organization until there was a power struggle and ultimate split which resulted in my leaving.

     When we ended our relationship, my employer of 17 years sent workers to my home to reclaim all their parsonage furniture. That night, I sat alone on the living room floor, wondering what was ahead. I was 39 years old with a wife and three young children. I had about $1,000 dollars in the bank and a 10-year-old car. My rent was $1,300 a month at the time—so I figured we were about three weeks from being homeless. In case you have not checked lately, there are not many jobs for ex-ministers whose church no longer wants them.

     I went to work immediately to provide for my family and God took care of us. During this desperate time in my life, I realized two things. First, I was not going to give up on God because I knew there were answers in the Bible that would show me how to get out of this.

     Secondly I realized that if I was going to make it I had to get rid of a lot of wrong thinking, clear my mind and start over. I had undergone years of assuming that poverty and piety were related. However, that way of thinking does not pay the rent or feed my family. Therefore, I knew that this poor mindset could not be the way God wanted me to live.

     So I started over. I spent the next ten years carefully studying and dissecting the Bible and its teachings as well as many other resources to find the answers I needed about the keys to prosperity. What I discovered, was that there are many of God’s laws that are universal and some that were not recorded specifically in the Bible. However, they were authored by God so they were just as valid as the ones listed in the scriptures.

     For instance, if you believe that God created the universe, then part of that creation is the law of gravity and yet you do not find the word “gravity” in the Bible, does that mean it does not exist? I know some fundamentalists would say if it is not in the Bible, it does not exist. But as I sit here typing this book with both feet on the ground, I am certainly glad that is not the case.

     After my research, I then spent 10 more years applying and proving the principles I had discovered. I also spent that time refining my understanding of those principles of prosperity.

     In the Gospel of John 10:10b, Christ says, “…I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” That word “life” means life in all its manifestations and while some say it means spiritual abundance, it literally means abundance in every aspect of this life.

     Now, almost 20 years later, my personal income is 10 times what it was when I was left sitting on that living room floor and it continues to grow each year. When my oldest son started college, we were just getting on our feet and that meant loans and a lot of work. However, when my youngest son’s tuition was due, it was only a matter of writing a check.

     None of this happened over night. I had years of financially repressive thinking and incorrect beliefs that I had to change. Now, I understand the way to prosperity and so the purpose of this book is to share the fast track of that understanding with you. I want you to learn how to get started now and how to build your own financial success with laws that God has instituted for all to use. I am a teacher, that’s what I do, that’s what my life is about. Therefore, what I have learned in my life, I am now passing on to you.

Who Should Read Get the Skinny on Prosperity?

     If you have ever felt guilty about wanting more wealth and prosperity in your life—you need to read this book.

     If you have tried everything that you know to do and cannot understand why things are not working out for you—you need to read this book.

     If you are a parent or grandparent and want to put your children light years ahead of where you are now—you need to read this book.

     If you are prosperous already but have conflict about it—you need to read this book.

     If you have not given yourself permission to prosper—you need to read this book.

     If you want to know how God is going to bring prosperity to your life—you need to read this book.

     If you sit in your church and hear sermons about “filthy lucre,” and how money is evil and you feel as if everyone is looking at you because you are doing so well—you need to read this book.

     If you are wondering when your ship is coming in—you need to read this book.

     If you desire to live abundantly, but you fear it will corrupt your spiritual life—you need to read this book.

     If you want to reach your full potential in the most ethical and moral way—you need to read this book.

     WARNING: This is not a feel good book. In fact, at times it may seem more like someone is taking out a painful splinter. Nevertheless, just as with the splinter, wrong beliefs need to come out and right beliefs need to be installed in order to speed up the healing process.

     One of the most amazing things I’ve discovered is that you do not have to be a Christian for these laws to work. Gravity works whether you believe God created it or not. The laws work because of God’s goodness and because He loves everyone unconditionally.

How to Use This Book:

     I have broken the book down into two sections with five chapters in each section. Each chapter, whether in Section One or Two, can be read and understood independently. The best way is to start with Section One, read each of those topics, and then move on to Section Two.

     In Section One, you will find five commonly accepted beliefs which rob us of our prosperity.

     In Section Two, you will find five secrets revealed in God’s Word which will unlock the treasures of wealth and prosperity. I know you may be tempted to read this side first, but let me tell why I do not recommend it.

     It goes back to the old saying “Don’t put new wine in old wine skins.”

Until you can clear out the old beliefs, just putting in the new ones will not be helpful. They will fight with one another and while you may agree intellectually with the new truths, your old beliefs will sabotage any real results.

Summary:

Section One:  Five Accepted Beliefs that Rob You of

                        Your Prosperity

Chapter 1: 
Belief #1  Success and Prosperity Will Corrupt Me

     Sadly, many people buy into this thought for a number of reasons. We will examine this belief and show why it is not true. We will also look at examples from the Bible like Abraham, Job and David, who were prosperous men and were not corrupted; they even received their abundance from God.

Chapter 2: 
Belief #2  My Prosperity Means Someone Else Has Less and that Cannot be Right

     In this chapter, you will learn how God has created a limitless universe and there is no need to worry about taking from another person. In fact, you will be surprised to see how and what God directed people to do in order to teach them about His limitless resources. And you will learn that your prosperity actually increases the wealth of others.

Chapter 3: 
Belief #3  Money is Evil and So Are Rich People, That’s Why They Call It “Filthy Lucre”

     In chapter three we will take a hard look at money and examine our attitudes and beliefs to see if they serve us or rob us. We will cover the verse that so many misquote by saying “Money is the root of all evil” when it really says, “The love of money is the root of all evil”. You will discover what this truly means and how it is applied to your life.

Chapter 4:  
Belief #4  There is No Need to Worry About My Future, God Takes Care of Everything, I’m Just Waiting on Him

     Does God take care of everything? In this chapter you will find out what He takes care of and what He does not. You will also learn when you should be waiting on Him and when you should not.

     You will also learn what God will do for you and what you are responsible to do. There is a wonderful partnership between you and God that you must understand.

Chapter 5: 
Belief #5  I Don’t Care About Money, I Just Want to be a Good Person. My Relationship with God is all that Matters, Not Money

     In this chapter you will learn that money does matter, but in a way that most people do not consider. You will also see how having a relationship with God should actually improve your prosperity.

     For centuries people have been told that they needed to make a choice. They have been taught that they could either be wealthy or honest but not both. They have been taught that they could either be rich or righteous but not both. In this chapter you will discover that none of these statements are true. Your prosperity does not have to interfere with your relationship with God.

Section 2:   Five Secrets from the Bible that Unlock

                    Wealth and Prosperity

Chapter 6:  
Secret #1: The Mind is the Key to the Heart And the Heart Unlocks the Treasures of Wealth and Prosperity

     I start this chapter with an explanation of why I am saying there are secrets in the Bible. Then I will show you how to manifest these secrets in your life.

     The discussion of the Prosperous Mind begins here and I will show you how and why the mind is the key to it all. You sill learn how the mind works and how to use it according to God’s design.

     This one chapter alone will open doors you never thought possible and explain how and why things have happened in your life.

Chapter 7: 
Secret #2: Acceptance Starts the Flow

     Here you will learn that it is not hard work or struggle that brings prosperity; in fact it is just the opposite. You will discover this secret of flow. Once you see how God designed it and you accept the concept in your mind, prosperity and abundance will easily flow to you.

     You will see that God’s nature is to give. It is not because of your goodness, your service, or begging and pleading. It is simply God’s nature to give, once you understand that, you will start to allow Him to do what he has desired to do all along.

Chapter 8: 
Secret #3: Desire the Giver More Than the Gift

     Here you will learn the correct balance in life when it comes to prosperity. You will see very clearly what to focus on and how to get the most out of life. Life gets complicated for those who have made wrong choices, who have put their focus in the wrong place. You will learn how to maintain the correct balance and receive all of God’s blessings.

Chapter 9: 
Secret #4: Giving Will Open the Floodgates of Heaven

     You may say that this is not a secret because everyone knows that giving is connected with prosperity. But knowing and doing are two separate issues. I will show you how this ancient practice, operated by many different cultures but designed by God, will bring constant and guaranteed returns.

     Once you see and understand the fullness of this secret you will never neglect it again.

Chapter 10: 
Secret #5: Goodness and Mercy Shall Chase Me Down

     Have you ever wondered why some people just seem lucky? Would you like to have a life that is seemingly “lucky” day after day? This chapter reveals the secret that allows prosperity to be brought to you on a regular basis. Once you understand this secret you will wake up each day eager to get up just to see what God has in store for you.