A Cause For Rejoicing

Proverbs 11:10-11

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

THROUGHOUT THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, doctrines of prosperity and wealth grew strong in some sectors of Christianity and spread to much of the world—not only to prosperous countries, but also those where people desperately sought a way out of their poverty. Reactions against the “prosperity gospel,” as we have come to call it, have rightly pointed out the extremely influential people in Scripture who were not at all prosperous but were nevertheless walking in God’s power and love. But many Christians have taken the opposite extreme in insisting that we should shun wealth and comfort. They believe those who do prosper are somehow less spiritual—forgetting, of course, that there are many examples of biblical figures who had quite a bit of money and were also walking in God’s power and love. Somewhere in between these extremes is the truth that it is possible and even desirable for believers to earn wealth and use it not for selfish purposes but to bless others. Success is not a bad thing.

The prosperity of the selfish helps no one. But Proverbs tells us that the prosperity of the righteous—those who do not live selfishly but have a Kingdom-oriented heart and seek God’s will—is an enormous blessing to the community. Why? Because a Kingdom mind-set will look for ways to demonstrate and expand the Kingdom, and prosperity has a way of multiplying opportunities to do so. When the righteous prosper, everyone benefits.

Do not seek prosperity as so many others do, with greed and a focus on getting everything you want. Do, however, seek it as a Kingdom calling. See your job as a platform for expanding Kingdom ways. Being successful in business, industry, law, education, government, or any other sector of society in order to serve and influence systems is a sacred calling. It promotes a Kingdom in which injustices, abuses, poverty, and brokenness cannot continue. Live in such a way that whatever prosperity you experience gives those around you a reason to rejoice.

{Lord, you have given to me out of your abundance. I open my arms to receive as much as you want to give so that I may give out of what I receive. Make me a blessing in my job, my activities, my networks of relationships—everything. Amen.