Bishop Believe Paradise on Prosperity, Poverty, and the Power of Mindset — From His Book City Gates to Prosperity
written By: Oudney Patsika, the Chief Editor at Sona Headlines & Marketing Officer at Sona Solar Zimbabwe
In a world grappling with economic uncertainty, Bishop Believe Paradise, the visionary founder of Victory Power International Ministries (VPIM), delivers a powerful and unapologetic message: prosperity is a divine delight. Through his extensive teachings, notably encapsulated in his book "City Gates to Prosperity," he challenges the mindsets that perpetuate poverty and lays out a spiritual blueprint for achieving success. Rooted in the belief that God takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servants, Bishop Paradise identifies the spiritual "gateways" to financial fortune and confronts the "sponsors of poverty" that hold many captive.
The "City Gates to Prosperity" Blueprint
At the heart of Bishop Paradise's financial teachings is his authored book, "City Gates to Prosperity." This work serves as a spiritual manual for believers, providing detailed guidance on what he terms "kingdom prosperity." Drawing from scriptures like Psalms 35:27 AMP, which states, "Let the Lord be magnified, who delights and takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant," the Bishop argues that there is no pleasure in poverty and that doing well is a divine principle.
His book and sermons outline the spiritual laws required to unlock these gateways. Key themes include:
- Covenant with God: Prosperity is framed as a binding agreement that requires active participation, primarily through obedience to God's commandments.
- Giving and Receiving (Sowing Seeds): The principle of sowing resources and honouring God with one's substance is taught as a primary pathway to unlocking financial fortune and divine blessings.
- Faith and Confession: Believers are instructed to activate their faith through powerful, positive confessions, declaring victory over poverty and attracting wealth through their spoken words.
- Righteousness: A life of integrity and the fear of the Lord is presented as a magnet for God's favour, leading to sustainable riches and honour.
Identifying the Sponsors of Poverty
Bishop Paradise identifies excuses as a primary sponsor of poverty, citing Proverbs 22:13: "A slacker always has an excuse... 'I can't go to work. There's a lion outside!'" He teaches that people justify inaction by blaming their circumstances—being an orphan, a widow, or the state of the economy. These excuses, he argues, are backed by laziness and a fear of failure. The antidote is courage—to step out, start a business, and embrace opportunities without being paralyzed by the risk of loss. Just as the Israelites had to leave their tents to gather manna, believers must leave their comfort zones to be productive.
"Poverty will pounce on you like a bandit," Bishop Paradise warns, quoting Proverbs 6:11. He directly links the love of excessive sleep to a lack of prosperity. The teaching emphasizes disciplined time management: sleep less and work more. He challenges his followers with a poignant question: "How dare you enjoy sleeping yet you have a poor quality bed?" The message is clear: continuous love for sleep invites poverty to become a permanent guest. To reach the top, one must be willing to fight and work while others rest.
The Ultimate Currencies: Character and Mindset
Beyond action, Bishop Paradise stresses that character is a non-negotiable sponsor of success. Relationships, which are the bedrock of business and opportunity, are either built or destroyed by one's character. He teaches that developing a sincere and trustworthy heart attracts helpers, customers, and divine favor. In his words, "Grace can take you to the Palace, but character will keep you there."
Bishop Paradise identifies the mind as the starting point for all fruitfulness. He points out three key factors that negatively shape one's mindset:
- Cultural Beliefs: Your background and upbringing can install a poverty mindset that must be intentionally broken.
- Past Experiences: Past failures or abuse can create a resistant and fearful mind. He encourages followers to "remember not the former things."
- Associations: The people you surround yourself with have a profound impact. "Show me your friends and I'll tell you who you are." He clarifies that this doesn't mean abandoning friends, but consciously choosing a mindset of growth and positivity, delighting in the law of the Lord day and night.
Author's Commentary by Oudney Patsika
Bishop Believe Paradise’s teachings on prosperity transcend typical motivational speaking; they offer a spiritual framework for what can be described as 'kingdom entrepreneurship.' As a marketing professional, I recognize in his message the core principles that drive success in any field: a proactive mindset, discipline, integrity, and strategic networking. What makes his approach unique is that these principles are not presented as secular strategies but as acts of faith and obedience.
His identification of "sponsors of poverty"—excuses, laziness (love of sleep), and poor character—are direct parallels to the greatest pitfalls in the business world. He is, in essence, providing his congregation with a divine blueprint for personal and professional excellence. By framing hard work, integrity, and a growth mindset as spiritual mandates, he empowers his followers to pursue success not just as a personal goal, but as a form of worship. It's a powerful and practical theology for a generation eager to make an impact.
Quick Facts
Yes, he has authored the book "City Gates to Prosperity," which details his teachings on achieving financial success through biblical principles.
The key themes include understanding prosperity as a covenant, the principle of giving and receiving (sowing seeds), using faith and positive confession, and the importance of living a righteous life.
He identifies three main sponsors of poverty: making excuses, a love of excessive sleep (laziness), and a lack of character and integrity.
More information about Bishop Believe Paradise's publications, sermons, and ministry can be found on the official Victory Power International Ministries Facebook page, where he and his work are frequently featured.
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