FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2025

A Balanced View of Prosperity in Health, Wealth, and Spirit

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION:

KEY VERSE: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 John 1:2, KJV)
TEXT: 3 John 1:1-4
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 119:57 – 176

MESSAGE: THE ALL-ROUND PROSPEROUS CHRISTIAN

In a world obsessed with material gain, fame, and a “get-rich-quick” mindset, it’s easy for Christians to lose sight of what true prosperity means. The American writer William Arthur Ward once remarked, “Each of us will one day be judged by our standard of life, not by our standard of living; by our measure of giving, not by our measure of wealth; by our simple goodness, not by our seeming greatness.” This observation cuts to the heart of a profound truth that many people today need to hear: our ultimate value is not found in the size of our bank account or the number of our possessions.

One of the most cited verses by those who preach a gospel focused solely on material wealth is our key verse today: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” This was a prayer and a sincere wish from the Apostle John to a man named Gaius. John referred to Gaius as “the well-beloved” because of his outstanding commitment to Christ.

The context is crucial here. John’s statement suggests that Gaius was already doing exceptionally well in his spiritual life—he was growing in the knowledge of the truth and abounding in Christian virtues. John’s desire was that Gaius’s physical and material life would catch up to his spiritual state. The Apostle was praying for a balanced, all-around prosperity that included success in his family life, business or career, and all other legitimate endeavors. He also desired that Gaius would flourish in health, just as he had fared so well spiritually.

The Dangers of an Unbalanced Pursuit

In this simple prayer, we see what a truly balanced Christian aspiration looks like. It does not prioritize material prosperity above all else. Unfortunately, a growing number of Christians today have a skewed view of this. They teach that sheer faith, generous church donations, “seed sowing,” and positive confessions are the direct and only means of getting rich. Many of these teachers deceive and manipulate their unsuspecting hearers, often to enrich themselves. This is a perversion of the Gospel.

This does not mean, however, that the opposite is true—that to be a good Christian, you must be poor. The Bible is clear that God delights in the prosperity of His saints. He blesses the work of our hands and wants to provide for our needs. But He also abhors laziness, a lack of planning, and the “get-rich-quick” mentality. He wants us to be good stewards of the resources He entrusts to us, not reckless spenders who believe that wealth is the ultimate sign of His favor.

The Principle of “Even As Your Soul Prospers”

The most important part of our key verse is the phrase, “even as thy soul prospereth.” This is the divine condition for true, lasting prosperity. It means that your material and physical prosperity should be a reflection of your spiritual health, not a replacement for it.

There is nothing wrong with legitimately aspiring to prosper in wealth or health, but it should never be to the exclusion or at the expense of your spiritual well-being. Your pursuit of material gain should always be aimed at glorifying God. A life of spiritual laziness, a life where you are materially prosperous but spiritually lukewarm, does not honor God. Likewise, a life of perpetual begging and poverty, when God has given you the ability to work, does not bring Him glory.

The true goal is a life of balance. It is a life where your material prosperity is a sign of God’s favor and a tool to advance His Kingdom, not a destination in itself. You should be rich towards God in your generosity, your spiritual growth, and your good works. As your soul prospers—as you grow in your faith, your character, and your knowledge of Him—your external life will also begin to flourish.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, I pray for a balanced life. Help me to prosper and be in health, but only in a way that reflects the prosperity of my soul. Let my life be a testimony of Your all-around goodness. Amen.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: What is the difference between “standard of life” and “standard of living”?

A: “Standard of living” refers to the level of wealth, comfort, and material goods available to a person. Standard of life” refers to a person’s moral character, integrity, and the quality of their relationships with God and others.

Q2: Does the Bible promote poverty as a virtue?

A: No, the Bible does not promote poverty as a virtue. It does, however, warn against the love of money and the dangers of greed. God wants to bless His people, but He also calls them to be good stewards of those blessings and to be content in all circumstances.

Q3: How can I tell if my pursuit of prosperity is becoming unhealthy?

A: Your pursuit of prosperity is unhealthy if it is at the expense of your relationship with God, your family, or your spiritual well-being. If you find yourself cutting corners ethically, becoming consumed by greed, or neglecting prayer and Bible study to pursue wealth, your pursuit has become unhealthy.

Question and Answer

Q1: What does the article say about the pursuit of material wealth in today’s world?

A: The article says that many people today are crazy in their pursuit of material prosperity, wealth, and fame.

Q2: What was the prayer of the Apostle John for Gaius?

A: John’s prayer was that Gaius would prosper and be in health, even as his soul prospered.

Q3: What does the article say about the idea that to be a good Christian, one must be poor?

A: The article says this is not true, and that God delights in the prosperity of His saints.

Q4: What is the ultimate condition for true, lasting prosperity, according to the key verse?

A: The ultimate condition is that your material and physical prosperity should be a reflection of how your soul prospers.