Over the years many have gotten an incorrect perspective of what it means to prosper, to be prosperous or have prosperity as defined in the Scripture. Today, we trust we will make clear what it means and how it can influence your life. Thank you for joining us today to gain positive powerful insight into the Word of God. Eric
When people think of prosperity, they commonly associate it with wealth and material gain. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines 'prosperity' as "the condition of being successful or thriving, especially: economic well-being." Cambridge Dictionary defines 'prosperity' as "the state of being successful and having a lot of money." vocabulary.com defines 'prosper' as "to do well, succeed or thrive. Commonly it means to generate wealth but more generally it means to grow stronger or flourish." thefreedictionary.com defines it as "to thrive, succeed, etc. in a healthy way."
To begin our look at 'Biblical Prosperity' today, we will contrast the meaning of ‘prosperity’ or ‘prosper’ given in our worldly sources as opposed to the definitions and meanings we discover in spiritual writings and the Word of God.
"True biblical prosperity goes beyond financial riches. It is about living a life blessed by God, walking in His wisdom and flourishing in His purpose." (kingjamesbible.com).
One of the first things we realize in defining biblical prosperity is that true prosperity comes by knowing God through His Word.
Psalm 1:1-3 (BSB) reveals, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither and who prospers in all he does." 'Blessed' in verse 1 translated from the Hebrew word esher, means: happiness, blessedness and how happy! "This happiness is not a fleeting emotion but is a settled state of well-being which comes from our being grounded in the character and promises of God. Blessedness flows from a rightly ordered relationship with God." (Topical Lexicon Bible Hub). Notice though what verse 1 also reveals, the receiving of the blessings is conditional. The blessings come to those who do NOT walk (traveling or keep company) in the counsel (advice, plans or purposes) of the wicked (the ungodly, or guilty of sin) or set foot on the path (traveling with) of sinners or sit ( dwell remain or abide) in the seat (dwelling place or assembly) of mockers (those who talk arrogantly, are inflated and scoff at others). Verse 2 goes on to reveal that the 'blessed' one takes 'delight' or pleasure and purpose from the direction, instruction or teaching of the law or statutes found in the Word of God. When one continually meditates, and is encouraged and sustained by the Word of God, he is the one who prospers (succeeds, advances and thrives ) in all he does!
We are instructed again in Joshua 1:8 to meditate on the Word day and night. As we have that sustained reflection on the Word of God, it takes root in our mind and we will be obedient because the Word will then direct our heart.
Also, "constant attention to the Scripture guards God's people from being shaped by fear, human wisdom or patterns of the world around us." (Bible Hub Study Bible).
Praise God! We find that when we are faithful, it brings God's blessing upon our lives. (Deuteronomy 29:9).
The stability and prosperity of the righteous (those who do God's will) is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. The Word of God repeatedly emphasizes the blessings and security that comes from living in alignment with God's will. When we live in His will, it leads to a life marked by divine favor and enduring peace.
The term 'prospered' often refers to the success and well-being granted by God to individuals or nations who follow God's commandments and live according to His will.
We receive amazing revelation as we read 2 Peter 1:3 (BSB), "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence," Did you catch that? The source of everything we need, or our strength is God's own power. Praise God, whatever purpose He has called us to, He supplies everything we need to be successful. His power enables and equips us to reflect His character in our conduct, endurance and holiness or godliness. Godliness comes about by a life shaped by reverence for God. Through our knowledge of Him, we are transformed into His likeness. By His own glory and excellence, He calls us to live in a manner consistent with His holy character and enables us to be prosperous or succeed.
Deuteronomy 8:18 (BSB) confirms this truth. "But remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you the power to gain wealth in order to confirm His covenant..." 'Power ' koach means strength, ability and vigor. It is bestowed, never self-generated."
Here is the thing though, God will only do through our lives what we allow Him to do. He provides the power, but it is our choice whether or not we will use it for His intended purpose in our life.
Isaiah 1:19 conveys this truth, "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land." To better understand what 'willing' in this Scripture means - we need to look at verses 16 and 17, "Make yourselves clean, remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes, cease to do evil, 17 learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression, bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause." These verses clarify what it means to live according to His will. As usual, we receive this warning in verse 20, "But if you resist and rebel, you will be eaten (devoured) by the sword." As we choose to live our lives in obedience to His will and Word, we will be blessed.
Proverbs 24:4 (BSB) reveals, "The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life."
Realizing that God is the source of everything, encourages us to walk in humility because we acknowledge our dependence on Him and reject self- exaltation.
When we walk in humility, we can serve others by putting their needs above our own. We believers need to choose daily to live in a way that honors God.
2 Corinthians 9:10 (ESV) reads, "He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness." God provides the seed, rain, fertile ground and growth no human effort could produce. Generous obedience will produce spiritual fruit. (The harvest of our righteousness.) Our right relationship with God will be seen in practical love, strengthened faith and thanksgiving to God. As we freely serve and sow into the lives of others, God will bring about results that will honor Him and bless His people. Then verse 11 beautifully expresses: "You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion and through us your generosity will produce thanksgiving to God." God doesn't bless or prosper believers simply for our own comfort. He blesses and prospers us so that we can show the love of God to the world, as we respond to their needs. It is important that we understand that biblical prosperity is not simply a financial issue. To see this truth clearly, we will look at Acts 3:6, “But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk.” Peter had witnessed the risen Christ and testified of what he had seen. Peter and John didn’t possess personal wealth to meet the beggar’s immediate need. The ministry of the apostles did not function on financial power or earthly status. Their true treasure (prosperity) was the risen Lord and the message of the gospel.
Peter offered what God had given him through the Holy Spirit. The man’s true need wasn’t a need for alms, He needed healing, what only God could provide. Peter was simply the vessel through whom the Spirit of God worked.
My wife and I have never had a lot of money, but we have a personal relationship with the Lord, the Word of God, the presence and power of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit that God uses in us to minister to the needs of others. When we encounter those who are lost spiritually, depressed, in despair or mourning, as the Spirit of the Lord leads, we are able to speak “Truth” into their lives and help them to have an encounter with the One Who can truly meet their deepest need. To me, that represents the greatest level of prosperity we could ever achieve.
"God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving." (Randy Alcorn)
John prayed this prayer for Gaius in 3 John 1:2, "Beloved, I pray that in every way, you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul prospers." Our spiritual prosperity is foundational for physical prosperity. I believe all of the Scriptures we've looked at today attests to that truth.
We see many examples of men whose lives also demonstrated this truth:
Joseph - Genesis 39: 2,3,"The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands."
David - 1 Samuel 18:14, "And David had success in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him."
Uzziah - 2 Chronicles 26:3,4a,5, "Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. 4 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 5 He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper."
Daniel - Daniel 6:3,"Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom."
Abraham - Genesis 12:1,4a; Genesis 18:18, "Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. ... 4 So Abram went... 18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?"
Hebrews 11:6 (BSB) instructs us, "And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
True prosperity is living a life aligned with God's plans and purposes for our lives. In the Christian life, being able to endure all things through Him and His grace will enable us to have a prosperous successful life!
Unless noted otherwise all Scripture was taken from the English Standard Version.
BSB Berean Standard Bible