Resources/Articles
The Ideal Prosperity
Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and
be in health, even as thy soul prospereth...
Greater joy have I none than this,
to hear of my children walking in the truth.
3 John 2,4
The prosperity of poverty is an oxymoron. Although it is an oxymoron, it is a biblical concept. Paul declared his efforts in Christ bore for him in his body “the dying of Jesus” (2 Corinthians 4:10). He believed that as his outward man was decaying, his inward man was being renewed day by day (v. 16). Some Christians would be poor indeed if they measured their prosperity of soul by their prosperity in all things. Many disciples are strong and well, but their souls are similar to the Corinthians - “weak and sickly” (1 Corinthians 11:30).
Everyone has the desire for financial and bodily prosperity. The state of the body has a great influence upon the mind and soul. Our behavior and feelings are most often affected by our physical wellbeing. God would not want us to neglect consideration for either financial or physical wellbeing. Paul stated, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). In order to keep up with our times, brethren will do more for the body than for the soul. Some will more likely come to a potluck than every night of a gospel meeting. Young people will come for an hour of socializing rather than an hour of Bible study.
Give heed to the words of 1 Timothy 4:7-8: “And exercise thyself unto godliness: for bodily exercise profiteth little, but godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” An exercise that profits us more is the one that builds up and prospers the soul. How much effort are you putting forth to be spiritually prosperous?
Some need to change their environment before they see any increase in their spiritual prosperity. Move, find another job, seek out new friends in Christ, remove yourself from the board of directors, or forsake places where materialism is more important. Lot needed to change his environment, but he did not. The prodigal son knew he needed to change his environment, and he did. What do you see in the environment in which you live most? It may be time to change to a different “scenery.”
What we feed our minds from day to day indicates how well our spiritual condition is. The rich man fed himself every day with his abundance (Luke 12:13-21). God considered him a fool for thinking that way. Feed your soul, not your flesh. Come away from the worldly ideas that are fed to you by TV, computer, and worldly friends and get back to tasting the good word of God (Hebrews 6:4-5). Feed your life with diligence, worshipping God, prayer, admonishing others, and hospitality. You will reap a wonderful harvest if you faint not (Galatians 6:9). Let our upcoming gospel meeting on “Iron Sharpens Iron” be a beginning.
