3 John 1:12 is a foundational scripture for prosperity. We hear it quoted all the time concerning this subject.
It says; “Beloved, I wish above all things that you would prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.”
We often use these scriptures to declare that God wants us to prosper financially, and He does, but we must also remember a couple things about prosperity from this scripture.
One thing to remember is that prosperity isn’t only about money. It would do no good to have prosperity if you have disease in your body. Likewise, it would not do much good to have a healthy body and have no money to eat or live. Therefore, when we study this verse, we see that when God talks about prosperity, He is talking about whole life prosperity. This includes a person prospering in their body, their spirit, their soul and their bank account, as well as many other areas. A prosperous person, one who is prospered by God, will prosper in every area of their life; at least that is what God wants for him/her.
Another thing to remember about this scripture and prosperity is this; prosperity is a soul issue – an inner issue. We must cultivate an inner wealth attitude that will eventually manifest on the outside. In other words, our souls must prosper before we will enjoy God’s kind of wealth in our finances.
“Seek Ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.” (Mt. 6:33)
If you suddenly have money, but have no change on the inside, the money will dwindle away. We have seen this truth over and over again when people who were living in poverty win a large money prize or win the lottery. They are so excited and they are going to give this or that but before you know it, they are flat broke and more often than not, worse off than they were before. Why is it that way? Because they still had a poverty mindset on the inside.
A poverty mentality doesn’t start on the outside, it starts on the inside and must be changed on the inside. You have to first change your way of thinking and then when money comes, you will no longer have a poverty mentality and you will have the wisdom to increase what God has given you.
This is the reason the Word of God tells us that God wants us to prosper…as our soul prospers.
God knows we have to transform our way of thinking so that we will have the wisdom to handle the blessing. As we transform our mind, our way of thinking, our soul prospers. As our soul prospers, our finances will prosper as well. The more your soul prospers, the more the relationships in your life will prosper. The more your soul prospers, the more your body will prosper…and on and on.
Yes, God wants you to prosper…in all areas of your life, even in the area of financial wealth, yet His first concern is that your soul prospers.
Today I want to encourage you to cultivate prosperity in your soul, in your mind, in your way of thinking; do everything you can to cause your soul to prosper. As you do, God will do the rest. His Word will not return void. As your soul prospers, you will begin to see prosperity in every area of your life. He does want us to prosper but we have to do it His way, let’s begin today.
Think on this!
This is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16
