Archive for April, 2012

How our soul prospers?

Question :-

Please give me the explanation about 3 John 1:2. Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
How our soul prospers?

Answer :-

In one line the answer is to be spiritually prosperous and that’s God’s will for us!

Many churches and people are focusing mainly on worldly prosperity and wealth by telling that God wants all Christians to be rich, healthy and be at the top, give 10% and get cash back up-to 100%, etc. They do lot of challenging contest and some even threaten by saying give 10% or pay a lot to doctors, you better decide. I’ve heard such messages, but God opened my eyes to know the truth. Thank God! Our God is not running a health or property insurance company. By saying all these lies false teachers twist God’s Word for personal benefits and deceive many so that they can become prosperous by draining others. Sure we all have financial needs and so many other needs, but surely God will meet our needs. God never promised worldly prosperity for new covenant believers like most people preach today, but He is more interested in giving us spiritual prosperity. Also, He said, seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Regarding 3 John 1:2, As John wrote this letter, he was addressing an elder, Gaius who was a faithful believer of our Lord Jesus Christ with a generous heart. It is apparent that Gaius was prospering spiritually. In other words, he valued spiritual riches more than he valued wealth. He had a heart to give to meet the needs of others. Verse 3 tells us Gaius’s heart. “Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth.” Verse 5, “you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you.”

Gaius made the Apostle John very happy with his generosity. John encouraged him and offered him a blessing, that he might prosper in all things, just as he was already prospering spiritually in his soul.

Today, most people get this truth in backwards or reverse order by telling God, “Bless me first, then I’ll give.” Gaius did it right. He gave from what he had, not to get from God or from others to become rich or to get worldly prosperity, but just to be a blessing. He lived a selfless life and so John prayed that may he prosper in everything. His soul prospered because it was built on a solid rock foundation of truth. God wants us to prosper spiritually, seek His kingdom first and everything else will be added to you. He will never let you down, He loves you and He cares for you. Do not believe in false prosperity and false health. Abide in His love, the greatest blessing is to be with our God forever eternally. God bless you!