Topical Bible: Prosperity: Design of

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In the biblical context, prosperity is often understood as a state of well-being that encompasses not only material wealth but also spiritual, emotional, and relational health. The design of prosperity, as revealed in Scripture, is intricately linked to God's covenantal promises, His character, and His purposes for humanity.

Divine Source and Purpose

Prosperity is depicted in the Bible as originating from God, who is the ultimate source of all blessings. In Deuteronomy 8:18, it is written, "But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers, as it is today" . This verse highlights that prosperity is not merely for personal gain but serves a divine purpose, confirming God's covenant and demonstrating His faithfulness.

Covenantal Relationship

The design of prosperity is closely tied to the covenantal relationship between God and His people. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were promised prosperity in the Promised Land as a result of their obedience to God's commandments. Deuteronomy 28:1-2 states, "Now if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God" . Here, prosperity is contingent upon obedience and faithfulness to God.

Spiritual Prosperity

While material wealth is a component of biblical prosperity, spiritual prosperity is of greater significance. In 3 John 1:2, the apostle John writes, "Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers" . This verse underscores the importance of the prosperity of the soul, suggesting that true prosperity involves a thriving spiritual life.

Wisdom and Righteousness

The design of prosperity also involves wisdom and righteousness. Proverbs 3:9-10 advises, "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine" . This passage indicates that honoring God with one's resources leads to abundance, emphasizing the role of righteous living and wise stewardship in experiencing prosperity.

Warnings Against Misuse

The Bible also provides warnings against the misuse of prosperity. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10, Paul cautions, "Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil" . This warning highlights the potential dangers of prioritizing wealth over spiritual and moral integrity.

Eternal Perspective

Finally, the design of prosperity in the Bible includes an eternal perspective. Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" . This teaching encourages believers to focus on eternal riches rather than temporary, earthly wealth.

In summary, the biblical design of prosperity encompasses a holistic view that includes material, spiritual, and relational well-being, all rooted in a covenantal relationship with God and aligned with His purposes.

Nave's Topical Index

Ecclesiastes 7:14
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also has set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Author's Design.
... Section 2. The Author's Design. ... us, that the period of struggle had come to an end,
and that the Church was now about entering upon a new era of prosperity. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/section 2 the authors design.htm

Sermon xxvii.
... Another design of the judgment, is publicly to assign to men their proper deserts. ...
man according to his deeds." The mystery involved in the prosperity of the ...
/.../leland/the national preacher vol 2 no 7 dec 1827/sermon xxvii.htm

The Second Season
... It is my ignorance of God's design that makes me quarrel with him.' He says to ... grace
and tenderness in the time of affliction than in the time of prosperity. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/ii the second season.htm

Excellency of the Christian Institution.
... while the sense of his power and omnipotence must give them humiliation in prosperity. ...
acts of divinity he never gave the least hint of a design to become a ...
/.../sect vi excellency of the.htm

Upon Compassion.
... actions in our nature, some in their primary intention and design seem to ... When we
rejoice in the prosperity of others, and compassionate their distresses, we ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon v upon compassion.htm

The Christian Struggling under Great and Heavy Affliction.
... be maintained in the midst of trials."6. That the design of afflictions ... be disappointed;
in the mean time, blessing God that your prosperity is lengthened ...
/.../chapter xxv the christian struggling.htm

Though in Order to Establish this Suitable Difference Between the ...
... and confused, may appear, at its consummation, to be a design worthy of ... of things
is so perverted that vice often flourishes in great prosperity, and virtue ...
/.../iv proposition iv though in.htm

Of the Passion of Jesus Christ; that it was Foretold.
... and had reigned through all His life in the greatest prosperity, no wise ... the prophets,
they caballed against Him, and conceived the impious design of putting ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xvi of the passion of.htm

From the Introduction of Methodism into the City of New York, in ...
... And although it formed no part of the design of its disciples to enter into the ... east
to west, has contributed not a little to the union and prosperity of the ...
/.../chapter 2 from the introduction.htm

Naturally we Love Ourselves Only. ...
... 7. Indeed, the only possible way for a soul to make prosperity an occasion of ... ways
of contemplation had need have a great courage, since her design must be to ...
/.../chapter iii naturally we love.htm