Having money does not mean you are prosperous. You are not blessed because you have material wealth, business success, or the respect of the multitudes.Like wise you are not impoverished because you lack financial security.
The word prosper (prosperity, prosperous, prospered) really is an Old Testament word. In the New Testament we only find prosper and prospereth used once in 3 John 2,
Beloved, I wish above all things that thous mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth...
and prospered used in 1 Cor 16:2,
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him...
In each of these scriptures the Greek word euodoo is used. This word does mean success in business affairs in a figurative sense. But the main definition is simply, help on the road.
I'm finally learning that true wealth has nothing to do with how many zeroes are at the end of a number. True wealth is not found in what you possess but in who possesses you. It's not in who you know but who you put your trust in. Who is helping you along the way makes all the difference.
Jesus became poor that we might become rich. What does that mean? When Jesus hung on the cross His fellowship with the Father through the Holy Spirit was broken. This is true poverty. But Jesus was willing to pay the price that through His suffering we might all receive the treasure of God with us. The Holy Spirit is the grace of life that enables us to excel beyond our own earthly and fleshly limitations.
Riches are not money...true riches are inside information. It's almost like cheating. We don't have to figure out everything ourselves the way the heathen do.
We need first to be in relationship with the Holy Spirit and second be listening for His slightest whisper. There is no value in wracking your brain and burning the midnight oil in worry. God favors those who are devoted to His Spirit and understand without Him they can do nothing.
God's people perish for lack of knowledge needlessly. He who holds all knowledge hungers for eager students. He will give help to any who will trust Him...and wait.
Let us say we are prosperous because He is our help. Let us say we are blessed because we trust Him who has all knowledge. Let us say we are rich because He loves us and gave us His Spirit....our Helper on the road.
...For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God...1 Cor 10:4-5 KJV
