Prosperity and Success

What comes to mind when you think of being prosperous?  The 1828 Webster's Dictionary describes "prosperous" as:  "advancing in the pursuit of any thing desirable; making gain or increase; thriving; successful."  It is likely people have a range of views of what prosperity looks like, that it is gauged by financial net worth, possessions, being the boss rather than a new hire, one who owns houses and properties rather than the person cleaning them.  The Bible speaks of people who were prosperous, and the Scriptural examples fundamentally have little to do with any of these worldly metrics.

Genesis 39:2-3 in the KJV reads, "And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 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."  There are likely few who would think a slave could be prosperous, but that is exactly how Joseph was described because the LORD his God was with him.  God made Joseph to be prosperous and successful, for even in the wake of his brother's cruelty by selling him to Ishmaelite traders God worked to redeem what was intended to be evil for good--not only in the life of Joseph, but also for Joseph's brothers, household, Egypt as a nation and the surrounding countries.  When God is with us, He brings prosperity and success to accomplish everything God desires we do.

A second aspect of prosperity springs from our obedience to God.  This is plainly shown in God's word to Joshua as he prepared to lead the children of Israel into their inheritance in Joshua 1:7-8:  "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. ⁸ 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."  God was with Joshua as He had been with Moses before him, and Joshua was to exert strength and courage to keep God's law.  Reading God's word, meditating upon it and putting it into practice personally was a key to Joshua being prosperous and successful to answer God's call upon his life.

Joseph was prosperous even when his allegiance and obedience to God resulted in him being thrown into prison after a false accusation of attempted rape.  The warden with his eyes did not see God with Joseph, but he saw the prosperity God wrought in the life and labour of God's servant Joseph and gave him additional responsibility.  Genesis 39:23 states, "The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper."   How blessed are believers in Jesus Christ who is called "Immanuel" meaning, "God with us."  Because He will never leave or forsake those who trust in Him, we can be prosperous as we live in our family home, as a slave, a prisoner or leader.  Our call is to submit to God and be obedient to all He tells us, for then we will be prosperous and have success in all God desires we do by His grace.