We all love prosperity, especially the aspect of making lots of money. Everybody wants to be successful with lots of affluence. And that's beautiful. It is God's will that we are successful in all things; observe the word IN ALL THINGS. But the misconception many have about prosperity is that making money and possessing lots of affluence is prosperity and that's all there is to it.
If that's your thought too then I think you've been living in fallacy. Prosperity is not all about the excessive money you have. It is beyond that.
When God talks about prosperity in His Word, He isn't talking about making money or excellence in business and career alone.
Prosperity has to do with excelling and thriving in whatever you do; in all life's endeavors: say ministry, marriage, academics, finance, family, etc. His will is that there won't be any part of our lives that is suffering. God is a wealthy and all prosperous God with everything at His disposal. There is success in everything He does beginning from creation and He wants and expects His children to be the same.
However, I realized that we've been missing out on something regarding this prosperity stuff.
Have you read the book of 3 John 1:2 before? Here's what it says; " Beloved, I pray that you may prosper and be in health, just as your SOUL PROSPERS."
This scripture is implying that our soul needs prosperity.
Hmmm! My soul? Prosperity? I mean what's the relationship between these two? As far as I know, I only expect everything about my life on earth to prosper. What does my soul have to do with it?
These and more are the questions that engulfed my mind while feeding on that scripture. And I believe you may be asking this too. But just like you, I didn't know about this previously. so, let me reveal to you through the Holy Spirit, my understanding of this Scripture and how it can be applied.
First of all, what is the soul? This article isn't entirely on what the soul is or is not but in a simple term, the soul consists of the mind, will, and emotions. We all know that we are nonentities
without those three components, I mean, a person who has none of those functioning properly is considered a lunatic. He can't interact with people as normal people would.
Without the mind, you cannot reason or think. Without your will, you're incapable of making choices, and without emotions, you become apathetic and unable to relate with the surrounding, people, and maintain relationships.
So apparently, the soul is essential.
Since the scripture talks about our soul prospering, our mind, will, and emotions should prosper. It should be successful as every other facet of our lives should be.
Here's the fact behind all these; if your soul doesn't prosper, it will affect every other aspect of your life you desire prosperity, even in finances. Yes! it will. Let me show you how.
The book of Romans 12: 2 says, " And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
When your mind is poor, your entire life will yield little or no result no matter what it is. Every transformation you desire comes first from a renewed mind. The state of your mind is the determinant factor of your life's outcome. If you have the mentality, behavior, or thoughts of a poor man, you can never become rich. If you have an immoral and perverse mind, you can't lead a pure life. If you have the mind to be mediocre, don't expect anything outside that.
If you want to live your life in prosperity in any given area then your mind should be worked on first. Your change starts from your mind.
THIS IS HOW YOUR SOUL PROSPERS
John in 3 John 1:2, wrote to his beloved Gaius about his prosperity even the prosperity of his soul. Verse 3 talks of his joy when he heard of how his soul prospered. "For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the TRUTH THAT IS IN YOU, JUST AS YOU WALK IN THE TRUTH."
The prosperity of his soul was an outcome of the abundance of THE TRUTH embedded in him (his soul) and this influenced his walk in life not just his mind but his will and emotions were unscathed.
How do I know? verse 5 says "beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for brethren and strangers." He can't serve brethren and even strangers faithfully without his emotions and his will. All go side by side.
Moreover, there's no way other aspects of his life won't prosper especially in financial and material possession after consistently blessing brethren and strangers...no way.
All of these show that John's beloved; Gaius prospered in his "soulish" domain.
Beloved by God, the prosperity of your soul is much more important than any other prosperity. God cannot give you what you aren't prepared for or fitting to handle else you'll mismanage it which will eventually become a waste and God despises waste.
If you can handle riches well without mismanagement, it will be given to you. If your mind pictures excellence in academics, marriage, ministry, job, etc, you're heading towards it. Ensure you prepare for it intentionally.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
Feed on the Word. The truth spoken by John to Gaius in this context is the Word. Think as God thinks towards you. "For I know the thoughts I think towards you saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11).
He wants you to be in healthy, and successful in all your endeavors. If you begin to think the way He thinks towards you, then you're made for life. Feed yourself with the Word, allow it to penetrate you, and affect your will – to be in collaboration with God's will – and your emotions to please God and enable you serve Him and humanity better.
Read books and materials that arms and compliment the area you desire prosperity. Want a blissful marriage or successful relationships? Read good content on it. Aspire for an exceptional rank in career or business? Read materials that will elevate you. How about excellence in academics? Seek scopes relating to that. Allow your mind to consume them. This is how you prosper.
Hope this blessed you?
shalom.
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