DO YOU BELIEVE IN PROSPERITY? I DO.
The Apostle John writing to Christians in the first century said in 3 John 2 NKJV Beloved, I PRAY that you may PROSPER in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
PASSION Beloved friend, I pray that you are PROSPERING in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering.
MESSAGE I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs PROSPER, as well as your soul!
I decided firstly to look up in my dictionary the meaning of the word PROSPERITY, and then thought I would check my Strong’s concordance. I have been reading so many posts on social media writing about these false teachers and the “Prosperity Gospel”.
My Dictionary told me that prosperity meant:
The condition of being being successful or thriving, especially economic well-being.
There are numerous Hebrew words that suggest prosperity meant:
Good, a breakout, profitable, peaceful or at ease.
There is only one word in the Greek test that is translated Prosperity, and its meanings include:
Successful, good and progress
I guess there must be two types of “Prosperity Preachers” around, those who teach that a Christian can (and should) have “economic success” and riches, and those like myself that believe in SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY that comes if we build our lives “according to the pattern of the Word of God”. As Jesus said in Matt. 6:33 NKJV But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Paul writing to the Philippians declares in 4:19-20 NKJV And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
The Bible has numerous warnings about riches and all the temptations that relate to such a mindset, God is sure not against riches, although Paul had to remind his spiritual son Timothy in 1 Tim.6:10 NKJV For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
PASSION Loving money is the first step toward all kinds of trouble. Some people run after it so much that they have given up their faith. Craving more money pushes them away from the faith into error, compounding misery in their lives!
MESSAGE Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.
It would seem to me at least in the Western world every succeeding generation’s standard of living has increased from the previous one, so for many people their lifestyle has improved.
When we become a Christian we should start to experience what is called REDEMPTION LIFT, which in simple terms mean that our pre-conversion lifestyle cost us financially much more than now we are a Christian, so consequently our expenditure should be less, and with Godly wisdom we learn to make wise decisions regarding our finances, thus our standard of living should also rise, which expresses itself in a higher level of prosperity.
Let is never forget that WITHOUT HIM (The Lord Jesus) WE CAN DO NOTHING, so may the Lord help us not to crave for riches, but ever seek that SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY THAT COMES THROUGH OUR INHERITANCE AS A BORN AGAIN BELIEVER.
So like the Apostle John I pray you have a PROSPEROUS SOUL, so I encourage you seek to keep learning to live the surrendered, Spirit-filled life and you are guaranteed the blessings of God Amen.
