Prosperity And Purpose

Read: Proverbs 11:10-11

When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices. Proverbs 11:10, NIV

IN WORD

Most people don’t rejoice when other people prosper. Some get jealous; others just ignore the prosperity of others as irrelevant to their own lives. So why does Scripture tell us that the city rejoices when the righteous prosper? Because the righteous—not simply those who have been justified by God but those who live in a way that reflects the Kingdom of God—use their prosperity for the good of all.

Think about it: If we’re living with a Kingdom orientation, how likely are we to use our positions selfishly? To have influence without using it for the good of those who need advocates? To build networks without those relationships becoming an influence for good? To build mansions without building lives? To do a job without serving others in it? No, the Kingdom mind-set looks for ways to exemplify the Kingdom everywhere. And when the righteous prosper, the opportunities to exemplify the Kingdom multiply. That’s good for everyone.

Look at it this way: The Kingdom is a realm of no injustice, no lack, no abuses, no brokenness. And Kingdom citizens long to be pictures of the Kingdom culture, so we offer foretastes of it. We find ways to embody it and bring people into it. We see our jobs, our platforms, and our networks as Kingdom collateral that advances Kingdom ways. So when Kingdom citizens prosper, everyone benefits.

IN DEED

For far too long, whether intentionally or not, the church has preached a message of going to church on Sundays, worshiping and tithing, and sharing our faith during the week. All of that is good, but it’s woefully short of a Kingdom lifestyle. Kingdom citizens repair and restore cities. Being a lawyer, teacher, real estate agent, or anyone else who lives righteously to serve and influence the system is a sacred calling. When we serve society with a Kingdom perspective, we serve the Kingdom. And the city rejoices.

ADDITIONAL READING: Proverbs 29:2

The Bible must be considered the great source of truth by which men are to be guided in government as well as social transactions.

NOAH WEBSTER