Joel Osteen - A Transfer Is Coming
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Drawing from Proverbs 13:22, Joel Osteen explains that God has prepared «transfers» of wealth, resources, and influence from the unrighteous to the righteous, illustrating with biblical stories and his church’s acquisition of the Compaq Center to show that honoring God positions us for sudden, extraordinary blessings.
Your Dream Is Too Big? That’s Because a Transfer Is Coming!
I want to talk to you today about «A Transfer Is Coming.» We all have dreams and goals we want to accomplish. We know God has put them in our heart: start a business, build that orphanage, send our children to college. But we do not have the means to do it; we do not have the resources, the position, the influence. It seems like we are limited.
The Wealth of the Ungodly Is Stored Up for YOU
But the scripture says (Proverbs 13:22), «The wealth of the ungodly is laid up for the righteous.» One version says, «It will be transferred into the hands of the righteous.» Now you may not be able to accomplish your dreams on your own. What is in your heart is too big for your bank account. You have the vision; you want to leave your family better off, but you do not have the position.
Good News: God Has Already Lined Up Transfers!
The good news is: a transfer is coming. God does not give you the vision without having provisions. It is already lined up—these transfers: good breaks, divine connections. Because you are the righteous, because you keep God first place, you are faithful, you are generous, you are good to others—God said he is going to take from those who are not using their resources in a positive way.
God Takes from the Selfish and Gives to the Righteous
They are not using their influence, their means to help mankind. They are only focused on themselves, and he is going to transfer that into your hands. It is going to be out of the ordinary, where you have the means to accomplish things you have never dreamed. You can leave an inheritance like the scripture says to your children’s children. You can expand your business. You can support that girls’ home. You can move into that nice neighborhood.
Stop Chasing Blessings—Chase God Instead!
Here is the key: you do not have to chase the blessing. Chase after God, and the blessing will chase you. These transfers will track you down. The scripture says: when you honor God, his blessings will overtake you. One version says they will catch you by surprise. You did not see it coming; you never dreamed you could pay your house off—you thought it would be 30 years—then suddenly a transfer. God favors you: a promotion, an inheritance, a business opportunity.
From Stuck in the Back to Suddenly in the Front
You never dreamed you would be running that department; you thought you were stuck in the background. You never dreamed you could send your children to college; you thought you were limited. What happened? You came into a transfer. God suddenly shifted things. You went from the back to the front, from renting to owning, from not having enough to more than enough.
It’s Not Just Money—It’s Influence and Honor Too
This transfer is not just material things, but it is influence: it is honor, prestige, where people see you in a new light. They look down on you, do not give you credit, will not take your ideas. You keep doing the right thing; you keep being your best where you are. They do not control your destiny. They may discount you now, but a transfer is coming.
One Day the Roles Will Reverse!
There will be a day when the roles have reversed. They have the upper hand now, but when the transfer happens, you will be in a position of honor, influence, prestige. They will not look down on you; they will look up to you. Instead of not giving you the time of day, they will value your opinion.
From Oppressed Slaves to Loaded with Gold
We see these transfers all through the scripture. Egypt was the greatest superpower of that day. They had more wealth and affluence than any other country. When God delivered the Israelites out of slavery, as they were leaving Egypt, the scripture says the Egyptians gave them all their gold, silver, and fine clothing.
God Shifted It All in Their Favor
They did not leave empty-handed; a transfer took place. These people had oppressed them for years; they had the upper hand; they forced them to work without pay in unfair conditions. While their oppressors lived comfortably in nice homes with whatever they needed, the Israelites suffered in lack, not having enough, being mistreated.
God Said: «Enough—Now It’s Their Turn!»
But the time came where God said, «I am going to take from those who are not using their resources for the right purposes, and I am going to transfer them into the hands of my people.» The Israelites went into the desert loaded down with the wealth from their oppressors. God knows how to transfer resources, transfer influence, transfer abundance.
Stuck at a Disadvantage? Stay in Peace—A Shift Is Coming
You may be in a situation that looks like you are stuck, you are at a disadvantage, you are not being treated right. My encouragement is: stay in peace; keep doing the right thing—a transfer is coming. God knows how to make it up to you. He has good breaks that will suddenly shift things in your favor.
Houses You Didn’t Build, Vineyards You Didn’t Plant
The Israelites wandered in the desert for many years, and when they finally went into the Promised Land, the scripture says they lived in houses that they did not build; they reaped from vineyards that they did not plant. The clusters of grapes were so large, it took two people to carry them.
You Won’t Have to Start from Scratch
They did not have to start from scratch. They did not have to go in there and build, plant, work their way up. It was transferred to them. God has some of these transfers in your future: houses that you did not build, vineyards that you did not plant. That means promotion when you were not next in line, opportunity that you did not see coming, blessings that chase you down.
How Lakewood Got the Compaq Center for $7 Million
You did not earn it; you did not work for it—it is simply the goodness of God transferring resources, influence, favor into the hands of the righteous. That is what happened to us with this building. For 30 years the Compaq Center was the premier facility here in Houston. Over two million people a year came through this building.
From Rockets Championships to House of God
The Rockets won two world championships here; practically every major entertainer had played in this building: Elvis, Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones. People tell me in the visitors’ reception, the last time I was in the building was for ZZ Top—a little different today.
I Laughed at the Idea—Until God Whispered «Yes»
But when we were looking for property to build a new auditorium, someone mentioned that we should try to get the Compaq Center. In my mind that was so far out; I could not fathom that being a possibility. I laughed and told them: what do you mean? That building is worth 400 million dollars; we could never afford it. My mind said there was no way, but deep down in here I could hear that still small voice saying, «Yes, Joel, it is supposed to be yours.»
A 60-Year Lease Turned into Ownership for Pennies
It was a long battle, but we ended up signing a 30-year lease with the city of Houston for 11 million dollars. That comes out to be a little over three hundred thousand dollars a year to lease this building. We do events in buildings like this across the country; they cost about three hundred thousand dollars a night.
Seven Years Later: «We’ll Sell It for $7 Million»
We rented this building for the same amount for the whole year. But here is how amazing God is: seven years into the lease, the mayor said the city was behind on tax revenue and asked if we wanted to purchase the building. Well, we always wanted to own it, but the lease was the best way to get the facility at the time.
Appraised with Our 60-Year Option—Massive Discount!
I said, «Yes, mayor, we would love to purchase it, but it depends on how much it is.» She said, «Let us run an appraisal. We will make you a good deal.» We had a 30-year lease with an option for an additional 30 years. They had to appraise the building based on the fact that we could be in it for 60 years. The appraisal came back not at 300 million, what the building is worth—not at 100 million, not at 50, not at 25. They said, «We will sell it to you for 7 million dollars.» The land alone is worth many times that amount. What was that? A transfer. God putting resources into the hands of the righteous.
From Season Tickets to Owning the Arena!
In my 20s, I had season tickets right back over there, section 104, to watch the Rockets play basketball here. I never dreamed one day we would own the Compaq Center. God has these transfers in your future that are going to boggle your mind—things you have never imagined: resources, influence, opportunity.
Kingdom Builders Get the Big Transfers
The key is: is your heart to build the kingdom, to help others, to take your family to a new level? If it is just for me—build my ego, show off what I have—if I am self-absorbed, that is going to limit what God will do. God is looking for kingdom builders, people that will use their resources, their influence to be a blessing—to accomplish your God-given dreams, to support that charity, to pay off that single mom’s house, to leave your family better than it was before.
Nehemiah: From Cupbearer to City Rebuilder
In the scripture Nehemiah was living in a foreign country, working as a cupbearer for the king. He had an ordinary job, on staff in the kitchen. His duty was to taste the food before it went to the king. One day his brother came to visit him; he told how the walls of Jerusalem, their home city, had been torn down, the gates were burned, and how the city was unprotected—the people were in danger.
Heartbroken, He Prayed—And God Gave a Huge Dream
The scripture says, «When Nehemiah heard this he wept; he was heartbroken.» For days he mourned. He prayed and asked God to do something. God put a dream in his heart to go back and rebuild those walls. That seemed impossible. He was living a thousand miles away; he did not have the funds, the materials, the crew, the experience.
God Won’t Give Vision Without Provision
But God will not give you the vision without provision. You may not see how; it looks unlikely; the odds are against you. What you cannot see is there are transfers coming—things that you could not make happen; God will make happen.
A King Who Didn’t Believe—Yet Funded It All!
The king asked, «Nehemiah, why are you so sad?» He said, «It is because my people are in danger; our city is unprotected; our walls are down.» The king could have said, «Too bad; it is not my problem. Do not bring me your troubles.» But the king said to Nehemiah, «How can I help you?»
God Uses Unexpected People to Thrust You Ahead
What is interesting is this king did not worship Jehovah; he did not believe in the God of Abraham—yet he is wanting to help Nehemiah. God will cause the right people to be good to you. Everyone that is going to help accomplish your dream may not believe like you believe; they may not be living a godly life—yet they have been positioned in your path to help you move into your destiny.
From No Materials to Royal Letters and Protection
One of the main people that helped us acquire the Compaq Center was the biggest partier; he loved to drink, to curse. He liked me but he would make fun of the church. A colleague asked him to attend Lakewood with him; he said, «No, I do not like going to the circus.» He did not offend me—I like the circus. My brother Paul is going to come out on the high wire in a minute.
52 Days to Rebuild—Because of a Massive Transfer
I thought to myself, «You can make fun all you want as long as you keep using your influence to move us forward.» He was a big reason we got the Compaq Center. You may be surprised at who God uses to fund your dreams, to open a door, to put in a good word for you.
One Transfer Away from Your Dream Coming True
The king told Nehemiah that he could take time off and go back home and rebuild the walls. Now, Nehemiah was very grateful, but he said, «King, I do not have any materials. I do not have any funds to buy the wood, the rocks, the mortar.» The king said, «That is no problem. I will give you a letter requiring people to give you what you need.»
You’re Close—Don’t Talk Yourself Out of It!
Nehemiah said, «That is great, but it is dangerous traveling back home. I do not know if I will make it there safely.» The king said, «Do not worry; I will let all the governors know that you are traveling through their city. They will watch after you.» It should have taken Nehemiah years, but he rebuilt the walls in just 52 days. How could this happen? This king who did not worship Jehovah transferred his funds, his materials, his favor, his influence.
Big Dreams Mean Big Transfers Are Coming
God will put dreams in your heart that you cannot accomplish on your own. Do not be intimidated; God is setting you up for a transfer. He is putting the right people in your path—people that will use their influence to thrust you ahead. You may not have the experience, the funds, the connections—but God does.
There Is Greatness in You—Act Like It!
You are just one transfer away from seeing that dream come to pass. One transfer and you will pay your house off. One transfer and your business will take off. I believe many of you are close to seeing this happen. You would not be hearing this if there was not a transfer on the way.
Pray Bold Prayers—God Gave You Big Dreams for a Reason
Now do not talk yourself out of it: «Oh, Joel, it is never going to happen for me. I do not have the resources. I am not in a prominent position. How can I do something great?» You are right where Nehemiah was. He dared to believe; he dared to go to the king; he dared to pray bold prayers.
When Your Motives Are Right, Transfers Flow
Do not be intimidated by the size of your dream. God does not give big dreams to small people. There is greatness in you; there are new levels in you; there is a world changer in you; there is a history maker in you. That is why God put something big in you: he knows what you are capable of.
Kingdom Dreams Get Kingdom Resources
Like with Nehemiah, he has put people who will fund your dreams, people who will use their influence to open the doors, people who will go out of their way to be good to you. It is significant that Nehemiah was weeping over what he wanted to make better. His heart was broken over the wrongs that he saw.
God Entrusts Big Things to Kingdom Builders
This was not about him having a big position, being well known, acquiring more. His dream was tied to building the kingdom, helping people rise higher, seeing his family, his relatives back home, reach their potential. When your heart is to make a difference, when you are moved over that child you want to send to college, moved over those people you want to help, moved over those loved ones who are struggling—
$700,000 in Free Education—Because She Stayed Faithful
when your motives are right, you are not seeking the blessing, you are seeking to please God, your desire is to reach your potential, to make the world a better place so you can build the kingdom—then that is when you will see these transfers; that is when God will do unusual things. God is looking for Nehemiahs—people he can entrust with influence, with favor, with resources.
From Immigrant Single Mom to Boss of the Condescending Lady
I received a letter from a single-parent mother. She and her family immigrated to the United States from Europe years ago. English was not her first language. She had three small children and did not know how she could ever send them to college; it looked like she was at a disadvantage—in a foreign country, alone, did not know anyone.
An «Accidental» Extra 5 Minutes Won Her the Job
She applied for a job as a secretary at a very prestigious university. There were dozens of people applying for the same position. The lady in charge was not nice at all; she was very harsh and condescending. This mother did not get upset; she just kept being her best.
God Has the Final Say—Even Over Unfair People
All the applicants had to take a five-minute typing test. She was not a great typist; she started typing, doing her best. Five minutes later the bell went off. She stopped typing, but the lady in charge had gotten distracted answering a phone call. She turned to the mother and said gruffly, «Keep typing; that is not your bell.» It was her bell; it was right in front of her. She said, «Okay, type for another five minutes.»
Roles Reversed: The Harsh Boss Now Works for Her!
They added up the number of words she had typed—ten minutes’ worth—and divided it by five, and she by far had the best typing skills; she ended up getting the job. One of the benefits of working for this university is your children get to go to school for free.
Your Time Is Coming—God Is Keeping Records
That was over 30 years ago; now all three of her children have graduated from this prestigious university—over seven hundred thousand dollars in education free of charge. God knows how to transfer what you need. You may be limited, but he is not limited. When people are not treating you fairly, not doing what is right—do not get discouraged: they do not have the final say; God does.
From Picking Leftover Grain to Owning the Fields
What is interesting is that lady that was so condescending, not helpful—now she works for this single mother. She used to have the authority; now it was transferred to this mother. God is keeping the records. He sees who tried to stop you, who played politics and held you down, who walked away. They may have the upper hand, but your time is coming.
Ruth’s Sudden Shift: From Widow to Wealthy Owner
Stay on the high road; let God fight those battles. No person, no group, no boss can stand against what God has ordained for you. In the scripture you remember Ruth. She was out working in the fields. She was a widow at a young age. Her husband had died, and she was picking up leftover grain—barely making it. That is how she and her mother-in-law Naomi survived.
Faithful Through Bad Breaks—God Saw It All
Ruth had a heart after God. She could have been bitter, had a chip on her shoulder—instead she was taking care of Naomi. She would get up every morning, go find the food that they needed. It looked like she would always struggle; life had been unfair—bad break, her husband was gone, her dreams were shattered. She never dreamed she would be at this place in life.
Boaz Saw Her—And Everything Changed Overnight
But God sees what you have been through; he sees what was not fair, what you have been dealt—a tough hand. If you will stay in faith, he will make it up to you. You are not limited by what happened to you, what you did not get, who was not there for you. You may be at a disadvantage, but God is not at a disadvantage. He controls the universe.
You’ve Been Faithful—Now Get Ready for the Shift!
One day the man that owned all those fields—one of the wealthiest men in that area named Boaz—saw Ruth and fell in love. They were eventually married. Now instead of working in that field, Ruth owned the field. She never had to pick up leftover grain again. A transfer took place. Suddenly she had more than she ever dreamed.
The Right People Are Watching You Right Now
Like Ruth, many of you have been faithful: you have done the right thing when it was hard; you did not complain. You had a bad break, but you did not get bitter. You have been overlooked, but you kept being your best. I believe you are about to see a shift. God is about to transfer some things. It is going to be unusual, out of the ordinary.
From Background to Foreground—Abundance Is Coming
The right people—the Boazes—are going to notice you. New doors are going to open. Some suddenlies: promotion, opportunities, houses that you did not build, vineyards that you did not plant—a transfer of resources, influence, divine connections falling into your hands.
From Ignored to «Can You Save Me a Seat?»
When Ruth was out in the fields, she did not see Boaz. She did not know who he was, but Boaz saw her. The right people are seeing you. God is arranging things in your favor, ordering your steps. Do not believe those lies that you are stuck, you are limited, you have seen others blessed, successful, in good relationships—that will never be you. No—a transfer is coming, a shift, something that catapults you to a new level.
One Good Break Put Us 50 Years Ahead
When we acquired the Compaq Center, it was not just a transfer of resources—it was a transfer of influence. This one good break put us 50 years down the road in respect and credibility. Several years before we moved in here I would see certain people at our children’s school events. I would politely say «Hello, ” but some of them would not give me the time of day.
God Changes How People See You Overnight
They saw me come and they would turn and look the other way. They saw me as second class. I came from that church on the other side of town. We did not have a good location, a prestigious address, a fancy building. In their mind we were not up to par. But when we moved into the Compaq Center, it was a different story.
Joseph: From Prison to Prime Minister Overnight
Now people that never paid any attention to me would come up and be so friendly. One lady—she never acknowledged me. If I walked up she acted like I did not exist—now she was my best friend. She brought other people over: „This is Joel; he pastors a church in the Compaq Center.“ One day she said, „I want to come to your service; can you save me a seat?“ I said, „Sure, I can.“ I did—right up there by the flag. No, no—I did; I saved her a good seat.
From Zero Influence to Running Egypt
God knows how to make you be seen in a different light. He is going to transfer influence, honor, prestige. You do not have to manipulate things, play up to people, try to convince them to respect you. Let God do it his way. This is what Joseph did. He was in prison; he had been betrayed by his family, sold into slavery; this lady lied about him—now he was sitting in his cell.
One Night, One Dream Interpretation—Total Transfer!
He had no influence, no resources, no future to speak of. But one night the Pharaoh had a dream that he did not understand. The butler remembered when he was in prison with Joseph that Joseph could interpret dreams. He told the Pharaoh; Joseph interpreted the Pharaoh’s dream. Overnight he made Joseph second in command of all of Egypt.
Don’t Judge Your Now as Your Forever
Joseph went from no influence to the highest influence. The Pharaoh said, „Nothing will be done in this country without Joseph signing off.“ He went from no resources to being in charge of all the food supply of Egypt. When his brothers and family finally came to see him—over 70 people—Joseph had a place for all of them to live, land that they could farm, an abundant life. What happened? A transfer.
Your Transfer Will Happen Suddenly Too
Do not judge where you are as where you are going to stay. God has some transfers for you: transfers of influence, transfers of resources, houses that you did not build, promotion that you did not work for. Now, this transfer requires obedience—honoring God, doing the right thing when it is hard.
Like Joseph, Ruth, Nehemiah—Your Situation Looks Impossible? Perfect!
There will be seasons like with Joseph that are not fair—nothing is changing; people that do not honor God are passing you by. Do not be discouraged; your time is coming. It is going to happen suddenly, out of the ordinary—you could not have made it happen; it is the hand of God.
One Touch of Favor Changes Everything
What is significant is: with all three of these people (Nehemiah, Ruth, and Joseph), none of their circumstances looked like they were about to change. Joseph was sitting in prison—you are telling me he is about to be the prime minister of this powerful nation? I do not think so.
Give God Permission to Prosper You Big
Ruth was in the fields picking up grain—you are saying she is about to own this field? I do not see how. Nehemiah was a busboy working in the kitchen—you mean he is going to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem? I think you have the wrong person.
A Transfer Is Coming—Receive It Today!
Now, when you look at your situation, everything may say, „There is no way you will accomplish your dream. No way you will own your company. No way you will get out of this problem. No way you will meet the right person.“ You are right where they were. The good news is: one transfer, one shift—and you will have resources, influence, opportunity that you have never seen.
God Needs You to Build His Kingdom—Get Ready!
Do not talk yourself out of it. Do not live with a scarcity mentality. You have to give God permission to bless you. Quit believing those lies that you do not deserve it, you come from the wrong family, you are not that talented, you have reached your limits.
Declaration: Dreams Bigger Than You Thought Possible!
God needs you to build his kingdom. He is counting on you to make the world a better place. He has destined you to take your family where they have never been. He wants to entrust you with resources, influence that you have never imagined. Be faithful where you are. Honor God with what you have.
Like Nehemiah, Joseph, Ruth—It’s Your Turn!
He is looking for Josephs—people that keep doing the right thing when it is hard. He is looking for Nehemiahs—people that have a passion to build his kingdom. He is looking for Ruths—people that do not let bad breaks cause them to live bitter. I believe that is you. Because you have been faithful, because you have the right motives, God is about to show out in your life.
The Shift Is Here—Abundance, Influence, New Levels!
Others that have not honored God—it seems like they have passed you up, they have gotten good breaks, gone further—there is about to be a shift. God is going to put resources into the hands of the righteous; influence is going to shift. You were in the background—now you are in the foreground. You were struggling to get by—now you have abundance. You thought you had reached your limits—but suddenly you are thrust to a new level.
In Jesus' Name—Your Transfer Is Here!
I believe and declare: a transfer is coming for you. Like Nehemiah, you are going to accomplish dreams bigger than you thought possible. Like Joseph, you are going to handle resources you have never imagined. Like Ruth, you are going to go from working in the field to owning the field—in Jesus’ name. If you receive it, can you say amen today? Amen.