GOD’S CONCEPT OF PROSPERITY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2020.

SUBJECT : GOD’S CONCEPT OF PROSPERITY!

Memory verse: "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." (Joshua 1 vs 8.)

READ: Genesis 39 vs 1 - 3:

39:1: And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.

39:2: And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous 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 that he did to prosper in his hand.

INTIMATION:

The dictionary definition of prosperity is the state of being prosperous; successful; good fortune; thriving; affluent; wealth. In our contemporary world, prosperity is viewed and acknowledged as the state of economic well-being: having money, possessions, and wealth. But God's concept of prosperity and good success does not connote the state of economic well-being. It is a function of obedience to God's laws, being strong and courageous to follow God's leading, and constantly reading, studying and meditating on God's Word to ensure you observe them. However, economic well-being can be an aftermath of functioning in God's concept of prosperity. 

In the passage we read today, Joseph, a slave in Potiphar's house, was noted in the Scriptures as a successful and prosperous man. His master saw that all he did prospered in his hands. All these were possible because the Lord was with him. Not because he had a flourishing business, money, or possessions. He, however, feared God, and was obedient to God’s laws. Therefore, prosperity and success are the aftermath of our relationship with God. It is embedded in our obedience to God's laws.

Many people think that prosperity and success come from having money, possessions, wealth, power and so on, hence their relentless desire to get ahead in pursuance of these things. But the strategy for prosperity that God is teaching us from the anchor Scripture goes against such criteria. For God it means being controlled by Him. Therefore, to be prosperous and have good success, you must obey the rules of living found in God's laws, be strong and courageous to obey, and follow His leading. 

You may not succeed by the world's standards, but you will be a success in God's eyes, and His opinion is final and lasts forever.

Often we can't see what the results or benefits of following God will be, but certainly the results are being prosperous and having good success. So, when you are not certain what to do, obedience to what God has revealed in the Scriptures is the only sure step we can take. So, resolve to set aside time each day to read and meditate on God's Word. Remind yourself of God's words day and night. Act today upon what you know God has said, and He will assure your success in carrying out His purposes, and living for Him.

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 the friend to God, and was blessed in all things: "And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord blessed Abraham in all things." (Genesis 24 vs 1.) Obedience to God's laws and following His leading is the panacea to failure.

The most valuable thing in life is your relationship with God, and this is cost-free. He has given us the biggest gift to humanity, that is the "gift of salvation." The onus is on us to avail ourselves of this awesome privilege since God has freely given us the opportunity to accept the gift and the attendant reconciliation with Him through our Messiah Jesus Christ. 

Prayer: Abba Father, Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. Give me the grace to abide in Your word always that I may be successful and prosperous in Your eyes, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!