Daily Meditation

Prov 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

You can tune in and list to someone on TV, just about any day of the week, and hear messages on "prosperity." So today I’ve decided to join the crowd, and teach "you how to be prosperous." But be forewarned, this Meditation isn’t going to teach you how to put on an ostentatious display.

There is absolutely not doubt that God wants you to be prosperous! In 3 John 1:2 we read: "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."

Inasmuch as this Daily Meditation is about your "prospering," it seems important to me that you understand exactly what the word "prosper" means, as used in God’s Word to you. The Greek word for "prosper" in the verse above, is "euodoo," yoo-od-o'-o, which means "to help on the road, i.e. (pass.) succeed in reaching; fig. to succeed in business affairs:--(have a) prosper (-ous journey)."

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for "prosper" is "tsalach," tsaw-lakh'. It means "to push forward, in various senses (lit. or fig., trans. or intrans.):--break out, come (mightily), go over, be good, be meet, be profitable, (cause to, effect, make to, send) prosper (-ity, -ous, -ously)."

In contemporary language, it can be properly defined as "having a prosperous journey, to lead in a good way, and to have success. It would include success in business, happiness in domestic relations, or prosperity in any of the engagements and transactions in which a Christian might lawfully engage. It shows that it is right to wish that your friends (and you) may have success in the works of their hands and their plans of life."

The truth is that true "prosperity" means a whole lot more than having an abundant bank account. I’m poor by the worlds standards, nevertheless, my Heavenly Father supplies all my "needs," therefore, in truth, I’m rich!

Now, what should be conspicuous by it’s absence, is some scheme for you to plant "seed faith money," with this, or any other ministry. You won’t read baseless promises, of 100 fold returns on money sent to me. What I am giving you is godly, sound advice, on "how to be prosperous," in the way God intends!

I think about that as I write the Daily Meditations! I refuse to write something that’ll just make you ‘feel good,’ so that you’ll contribute to this ministry. I refuse to climb aboard the "prosperity" wagon, in order to fill my own pockets. Why do you think that "prosperity" is such a popular subject, on so many TV programs? Think about it; you’ll get it!

God’s Word states that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."(1 Tim 6:10) Jesus put it another way; "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."(Mat 19:24) The "prosperity" preachers don’t give you those two verses; I wonder why?

God does not speak out of both sides of His mouth; therefore when His Word refers to "prosperity," it cannot be referring to just your finances. My friend, If you have a troubled marriage, wayward children and other problems, yet you have an abundance of money, you’re not "prosperous," you’re as poor as a church-mouse!(Smile)

Is it OK to have a lot of money? Of course it is! However, it’ll make it harder to "enter the kingdom of God,"(I didn’t dream that up; those are Jesus’ words) and if that's what you’re measuring "prosperity" by, you don’t have a clue what God’s Word is referring too.

True "prosperity" will always include "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness [and] self-control."(Gal 5:22,23) If you have an abundance of money, and lack the afore mentioned, you’re no better off then a homeless individual, sleeping in the gutter. True "prosperity" will always include happiness!

Get your eyes off "prosperity" and focus on Jesus.

Try it; you’ll become "prosperous!"