GOD’S CONCEPT OF PROSPERITY!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY OCTOBER 3, 2019.

SUBJECT : GOD’S CONCEPT OF PROSPERITY!

Memory verse: 

“

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of 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.

" 

(Joshua 1 vs 8.)

READ: Genesis 39 vs 1 - 6:

39:1: Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there.

39:2: The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
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.
39:4: So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Them he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.
39:5: So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field.

39:6: Thus he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he did not know he had, except the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.

INTIMATION:

Prosperity is described as the state of economic well-being and success. But God's concept of prosperity is quite distinct from the definition of economic well-being, though prosperity may include economic well-being. The major imports from our anchor Scripture in our memory verse is that God's concept of prosperity comes from obedience to God's Law, being strong and courageous to follow God's leading, and constantly reading, studying and meditating on God's Word—the Law, to ensure you observe them.

For many prosperity is controlling wealth and others through your possessions, with the inherent power and influence. Many think that prosperity and success come from having power, influential personal contacts, and a relentless desire to get ahead. But for God, it means being controlled by Him; being obedient to His instructions and laws. Therefore, to be prosperous and have good success, you must obey the rules of living found in God's Book of the Law. How strange to equate prosperity and success with obedience. God taught Joshua the following strategies he must follow to prosperous and successful; (1) be strong and courageous because the task ahead would not be easy, (2) obey God’s law, and (3) constantly read and study the Book of the Law—God’s Word. To be successful, follow God’s words to Joshua. You may not succeed by the world’s standard, but you will be a success in God’s eyes—and His opinion is most important.

Instances abound in the Scriptures of those that were prosperous and had good success by obeying God and following His leading. Our father in the faith, Abraham, through obedience became a friend to God, and was richly blessed by God: “And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord blessed Abraham in all things."......"And the Scripture was fulfilled which says "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the Friend of God."(Genesis 24 vs 1; James 2 vs 23.)

In the passage we read today, Joseph was a slave, but he was successful and prosperous in his master's house. It is inappropriate in our contemporary world (that views and acknowledges prosperity and success as the state of economic well-being - having money, possessions, and wealth) for a slave boy to be prosperous and successful in his master's house. 

Often we can’t see what the results or future benefits of following God will be. When we are not certain what to do, obedience to what God has revealed in the Scriptures is the only sure step we can take. Resolve to set aside time each day to read and think about God’s Word. Remind yourself of God’s words day and night. Act today on what you know God has said, and God will assure your success in carrying out His purposes. We accomplish so much when we obey God, but so little when we don’t. 

Prayer: Abba Father, in You all things consist. Endue me with the spirit of raw obedience to Your laws that I may be prosperous and have good success, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!