God Desires For You To Prosper

Posted by Pastor Mark Slay
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. - 3 John 1:2

I don't know that there is another verse in the Bible as concise as this one that tells us what God's desire is for His children and this verse is just as inspired as John 3:16. The Holy Spirit is expressing what He wants for you. This verse tells us that He wants us to prosper materially, physically (in good health), and He wants your soul to prosper - all three are important to God.

The people that criticize the "Prosperity Gospel" are actually criticizing the Holy Spirit because He is the one who said this. I've said for years, "the only part of the Gospel that will work for you is the part you believe." So if you believe God will keep you healthy, but you do not believe He will prosper you materially, then you will do without that part of the Gospel. Amen! The only part of this Book that will work for you is the part you believe.

I realize when we are faced with difficult situations that you could end up being moved by sight as opposed to what God has spoken or is speaking to your heart. But, worry is a sin in the mind of God because it shows a lack of trust. We have to hold on to what God has said - in our heart - or we will never get there.

Matthew the 6th chapter admonishes us to not be worried about our life, what we will eat or drink nor our body as to what we will put on. He tells us to observe the lilies, how not even Solomon was clothed like God clothes the lilies and how He clothes the grass of the field that is alive today and thrown in the furnace tomorrow. And if He cares for these things how much more would He care for us? But He also says why do you worry about these things, you of little faith. This tells us that our faith has something to do with us receiving what is promised. Even though He's provided it already, we still have to have faith in order to receive it.

Faith isn't all there is though. You could have tremendous faith for something but make some of the dumbest moves you could ever make and you'll never prosper. Or, you could be a tightwad and not give and you won't prosper. James says you have not because you ask not. Maybe you've never asked God for anything or your afraid to. These are things we need to consider.

Matthew goes on to tell us your Father knows you need these things but if we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness then He will give us all the things we need. He says they will be added to you. Now you can't seek Him first but be a terrible employee. You won't prosper. If you can't get along with people, you'll never prosper. Psalms 84 says no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. Uprightly means when you feel like lashing out at someone, you don't. Self restraint. It's part of walking uprightly.

Faith is not all you need, but faith has something to do with prospering; you have to believe God. That's why when it doesn't look like it, you believe Him anyway and that is not easy to do all the time. Sight can be pretty ominous at times. Find out what He's saying to your spirit. He may not be saying He's going to prosper you right now because there may be some things you need to adjust. Make no mistake tho, He wants to prosper you. Psalms 35:27 says He delights in the prosperity of His servants. He delights in it! It is His desire to prosper you.

There is no one happier to see you succeed than your Father. Find out what He's saying because you need to know.