What does the Bible say about prosperity? It says a ton! Prosperity, regrettably, is also one of the most inflammatory subjects in the Church today.
Many on one side of the “ditch” fight tooth and nail about the ungodliness of prosperity. They act as though every Christian should be wandering around in sackcloth and ashes. That is until the preacher takes an offering.
The other side of the ditch is just as bad. They believe that everyone should be a gazillionaire. Every preacher deserves a private jet and garages should be filled with luxury automobiles.
Both are wrong.
Let’s stick with the Good Book and find out what the Bible says about prosperity.
Abe, Ike, and Jake
Genesis 13:2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.
Here’s a great article on the Blessing of Abraham.
Genesis 26:13 The man began to prosper and continued prospering until he became very prosperous.
There was a progression to Isaac’s prosperity. It wasn’t automatic. Patience is key.
Genesis 30:43 Thus the man became exceedingly prosperous and had large flocks, female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.
Jacob was blessed with “witty inventions” and this clever insight led to his ability to prosper. He pushed the envelope in several situations but that’s between him and God.
Joseph’s Test
Genesis 39:3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand.
Genesis 39:23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.
Joseph provides a great example of a person not falling into the victim trap. His life went from bad to worse and the entire thing was orchestrated by God.
Psalm 105:18-19 They hurt his feet with fetters, He was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the Lord tested him.
Could you pass God’s test? Sold into slavery by your brothers. Falsely accused of rape. He went from Papa’s house to the Pit, to Potiphar’s house, and then to prison. This test lasted approximately thirteen years. That’s a very long test.
Prosperity In The Law
Deuteronomy 8:18 And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Deuteronomy 29:9 Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.
Prosperity in the Old Covenant was tied directly to perfect obedience to the Law.
Deuteronomy 30:5 Then the Lord your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers.
Prosperity by Meditation?
Biblical meditation is quite different than “yoga-type” meditation. Biblical meditation is taking a word or phrase or Bible verse and extracting all of its nutrients. This can be done by repeating it out loud. Another way is to commit it to memory. These are all manners of meditation as mentioned below.
Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Psalm 1:2-3 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
The Queen of Sheba and Solomon
Solomon made silver commonplace. The dude was loaded.
I Kings 10:7 However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes, and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard.
II Kings 18:7 The Lord was with him; he prospered wherever he went. And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.
I Chronicles 22:13 Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.
Job: Painful Prosperity
Job 9:4 God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered?
Job 36:11 If they obey and serve Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.
Prosperity In The Psalms and Proverbs
Psalm 25:12-13 Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth.
It’s interesting how the fear of the Lord is often connected to prosperity.
Psalm 35:27 Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”
Psalm 118:25 Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity.
It appears that it is okay to ask God to bless our lives.
Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
Proverbs 28:25 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.
Ecclesiastes 7:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.
Prosperity In The Prophets
Isaiah 48:17 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go.
Jeremiah 12:1 Righteous are You, O Lord, when I plead with You; Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?
Jeremiah 22:21 I spoke to you in your prosperity, But you said, ‘I will not hear.’ This has been your manner from your youth, That you did not obey My voice.
It’s often easier to draw closer to God when we’re broke and sick. Prosperity ruins fools. God is our source. Don’t ever think that your hand, might, or wisdom has generated wealth.
Lamentations 3:17 You have moved my soul far from peace; I have forgotten prosperity.
Jeremiah had an exceedingly challenging life. He seems to have prioritized prosperity way down the ladder. Probably a good lesson for us all.
Daniel 6:28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
In All Things?
III John 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
Let’s keep this verse in its proper context. Don’t get too far over your skis.
I believe that we must renew our minds to new levels of prosperity. Lottery winners often go broke. Many pro athletes can’t digest so many zeroes.
God grows us line upon line and precept upon precept. In each step, learn what there is to learn. Don’t be in a hurry to get to the next step.
God knows what is best for us.