“Beloved, I hope you are prospering in every respect and are in good health, just as your soul is prospering.” – 3 John: 2
It is God’s desire that we live life in abundance in all its ramifications – materially, physically and spiritually. “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10. In this article we examine the biblical principles of prosperity.
From 3 John: 2 we understand that fullness of life is a blessing that is more than money. It is a blessing that encompasses soundness, well-being and fullness of the life of God where nothing is missing or broken.
Favour and Grace
Having grace or favour means to enjoy the goodwill of God. The salutation of Mary by the angel of God showed that she was blessed: “And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favoured one! The Lord is with you.” – Luke 1:28. She had the fullness of joy, peace, favour and lacked nothing.
Favour is God’s signature and that where God’s signature is on your life, it does not matter what comes since you must be honoured. Take as example a man shabbily dressed walking up to a bank teller and presenting a duly signed cheque. It does not matter how the individual looks, the issue it that he has in his possession a valid signed cheque which must be honoured by effecting payment.
Favour is God’s signature and His loving kindness where one thing positively leads to another, and broken things start getting into shape.
- Joseph found favour with his father and with God.
- Potiphar prospered just by being in the presence of Joseph.
- Favour found Joseph when he was put in charge of all prisoners as a result of being thrown unjustly into jail and it is this same
- Favour led Joseph to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, elevating him to the second-in-command of all Egypt!
God’s protection is over those He favours as seen in Job 10:12: “Life and love you granted me, and your providence has preserved my spirit” and Job 29:17 “And I broke the jaws of the wicked man; from his teeth I forced the prey.”
Biblical prosperity or success comes from assistance from a higher and more potent power which propels you on to your divine destiny, and has not much to do with your being in control of your life for “Not by might, and not by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” – Zechariah 4:6
You are unable to go forward by yourself, as God pushes you and guides you and continually does so until you experience a breakthrough to the fullness of success in every aspect of life. Ephesians 3:20 – “Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine”.
Success entails enjoying the life of heaven here on earth and living in the words of the “Our Father” when we pray “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We should not be afraid of God’s will for us as most of us are prone to be because – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
God is ever ready to bless us and release new favours upon us and to continuously nudge us towards completeness and biblical prosperity, for “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” – Psalm 23:6
It is important for each one of us to ask God to help us discern what his plans are for us – the reason he created us, and to give us the insight and grace to follow through and receive these great blessings so that we lead a purposeful life. One of the ways to do so is to at first seek for kingdom of God – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” – Matthew 6:33
“You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.” – Psalm 16:11