Resources/Articles
Ideal Prosperity
“Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in heath, 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 or poverty most people relate to is physical in nature. If we measure our lives by a spiritual standard, would it be in prosperity or poverty? Paul declared his efforts in Christ bore for him in his body “the dying of Jesus” (2 Corinthians 4.10). He believed 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 well-being. God would not want us to neglect consideration for either financial or physical well-being. Paul stated, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to 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 life that not 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 nee to change their environments before they see any increase in their spiritual prosperity. Move, find another job, seek out new friend in Christ, remove yourself from the board of directors, or forsake places where materialism is important. Lot needed to change his environment. The prodigal son knew he needed to change his environment. Do you?
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 6.3-5). Feed your life with diligence, worshiping God, prayer, admonishing others, and hospitality. You will reap a wonderful harvest, if you faint not (Galatians 6.9).
