True Prosperity: God's Empowerment and Righteousness

In Genesis 1:26-28, God blesses humanity with the power to be fruitful, multiply, and have dominion over the earth. This blessing is not merely a declaration of material gain but an empowerment from God. The essence of prosperity, as defined by God, transcends earthly wealth—it is about spiritual empowerment that manifests in every area of life, aligning with divine purpose.

1. The Empowerment of Blessing

In Genesis 1:28, after God blesses humanity, He commands them to be fruitful. This blessing is more than an affirmation of prosperity—it's an impartation of divine power. Prosperity, as we see it in the creation story, is rooted in God's ability to empower people to fulfill their divine purpose. The empowerment here is not just for personal benefit but for fulfillment of God's purpose on earth.

The same principle applies to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3. God called Abraham out of his homeland, asking him to leave everything he knew to follow God's direction. In return, God promised to make him a great nation. The blessing Abraham received was a supernatural empowerment that positioned him to experience prosperity not just in material wealth, but in spiritual legacy.

2. True Prosperity is Empowered by the Holy Spirit

In Ephesians 1:3, Paul reminds believers that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ. While these blessings are not always immediately visible in the physical realm, they are deeply rooted in the spiritual realm. True prosperity, therefore, is not merely about accumulating wealth, but about receiving the Holy Spirit’s empowerment to live a life of obedience, purpose, and fulfillment.

Just as God empowered Abraham, He offers the same empowerment to us through the Holy Spirit. Prosperity, in this sense, is tied to the internal transformation that occurs when we walk in obedience and live according to God’s will.

3. What True Prosperity is NOT

Unfortunately, many have misinterpreted prosperity to mean material wealth. However, true prosperity is not about accumulating wealth through dishonest means or relying on shortcuts. The Bible warns us about the dangers of false prosperity that seeks to gain wealth at the cost of righteousness.

Proverbs 10:22 tells us, "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it." The wealth produced by God’s blessing brings peace and fulfillment without sorrow, shame, or regret. Prosperity without righteousness, the kind often promoted by worldly standards, only leads to frustration and destruction.

In contrast, true prosperity is not just the accumulation of material goods but the alignment of our lives with God's purposes. It is an inward wealth of peace, joy, and righteousness, resulting in outward blessing.

4. The Role of Righteousness in Prosperity

Isaiah 51:1-2 encourages those who pursue righteousness to look to Abraham, the father of faith. Righteousness is the foundation for the prosperity that God desires for His people. Without it, any attempt to prosper outside of God’s will will ultimately fail. God does not bless those who disregard His commandments or use their wealth for selfish purposes.

True prosperity requires a pursuit of righteousness. It involves living according to God's standards, seeking His kingdom first, and being faithful stewards of what He has entrusted to us. This prosperity cannot be manipulated or obtained through worldly means, but only through submission to God’s will.

5. Prosperity in Difficult Circumstances: The Example of Joseph

Joseph’s life in Genesis 39 offers a powerful illustration of how true prosperity operates even in adversity. Though he was betrayed by his brothers and wrongfully imprisoned, the Bible says, "The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man." (Genesis 39:2)

Joseph's prosperity was not defined by his circumstances but by his connection to God. Even in prison, he experienced God's favor, which ultimately led to his promotion and the saving of a nation. This teaches us that prosperity is not a matter of external circumstances but the internal blessing of God’s presence, empowering us to succeed regardless of the situations we face.

6. True Prosperity is About Legacy, Not Just Wealth

True prosperity is also about legacy. When God blessed Abraham, He promised to make him a blessing to all the families of the earth. This blessing was not just for Abraham himself but for the generations that would follow him.

The legacy of Abraham is one of faith, obedience, and righteousness. True prosperity includes a legacy of godly influence, generosity, and service to others. It is about passing on blessings, both material and spiritual, to future generations.

Conclusion:

True prosperity is God’s empowerment to fulfill His purpose on earth. It is not limited to material wealth but includes spiritual blessings, righteousness, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. It requires obedience and a commitment to living according to God’s standards. When we align our lives with His will, we can experience the fullness of His blessings and be a blessing to others, leaving a legacy that will last for eternity.

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