THE THREE COMPONENTS OF DIVINE PROSPERITY

3 John 1:2, which says: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."

Above all things is the understanding of the utmost importance of having this knowledge in you in the pursuit of the affairs of life. There is no person that undertakes to do anything in life that does not have the success of that undertaking before him in such a way that assures him that he will win or succeed. then when one success leads to another success that leads to another, then the prosperity of the course is being established.

 The three components of divine prosperity are stated in the above passage of the Bible viz:

1. Physical prosperity in your job or occupation, business or career,

2. Bodily prosperity in your health, having healthy relationship and family life,

3. The prosperity of your soul, maintaining a good record in heaven and having a good relationship with God with the assurance of eternal life.

These three components of divine prosperity form the primary checklist in any acquisition or strides. Whatever will give you one and not the other two components cheats on you, is not from God and is not worth having.

“Or what shall it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul” Mark 8:36. That means nothing is worth more than one’s soul, and worldly success and possessions are worthless if one loses the eternal life in Christ Jesus. sometimes taking a high paying Job that puts your family life in jeopardy may not be worth it.

We must examine our priorities and motives in life, seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, and not to be conformed to the patterns of this world (Romans 12: 1-2). We must live for God’s glory and not for our own. We are not here to accumulate wealth or fame, but to serve God and others, and God will reward those who are faithful to him, both in this life and in the life to come.

I make bold to state that the system of this world is designed to oppose the eternal plan of God for man, to hand over to man the shadow and make him lose the real substance, to create a counterfeit experience for man that will veil him from seeking out the original. At the surface everything looks fine, but those who seek deeper discover a lot of things going on in the world, playing with man like a pawn.

God is the source of all good things, and He loves to bless His people with abundance and generosity. He gives us more than we deserve or ask for, and He delights in our happiness and gratitude. (James 1:17; Psalm 84:11).

He knows what is best for us, and He will not withhold any good thing from us. We should not worry or be anxious about anything but rely on His promises and power. Imagine that we came into this world with nothing, we are fighting over everything, and we will leave the world carrying nothing with us. (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19).

We should not measure our worth or success by worldly standards, but by God’s standards. The devil was ready to make Jesus Christ a billionaire in His lifetime if only Jesus would abandon His calling; The Jews were ready to make Him a king if only He would confirm to them that He is the physical Saviour they have been waiting for, but He choose to be the Redeemer of the world who died on the cross and rose on the third day into eternal glory. We should not love money or things more than God or people. We should use our resources wisely and generously, not selfishly or greedily. (Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:6-10)

Friendship of this world is enmity with God. we are in the world for a purpose, and finding and fulfilling that purpose is what matters to God now, and what will matter in eternity. this does not mean that God does not want your happiness or to let you do whatever you like, but you will surely find true happiness only when you fulfil the plans and purpose of God for your life and not your self-appointed will. (James 4:4, Exodus 9:16)

Remember, you were blessed on the very day you were created, make that blessing count and in Jesus Christ, you are blessed beyond any curse!

Shalom!

Pastor James Okon.