PRIORITIZING YOUR PROSPERITY
The Lord’s apostle John said, “I pray that in all respects you prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers” ( 3 John 1:2). The apostle said this after seen and heard the things that Jesus did. John evidently recognized that you may prosper with health, wealth and many other things of the world; as well as prospering in your soul. But what should be your priority in prospering?
IMPORTANCE OF PRIORITIZING
Jesus told a parable to portray the importance of proper prioritizing in prospering:
“The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”( Luke 12:16-21).
The Lord asked, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36).
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:16).
PRIORITIZING JESUS FIRST
The Lord said, “seek first his kingdom, and his righteousness, and all these [other] things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33).
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land (Isaiah 1:19)
The LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. (Psalm 84:11).
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4)
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32).
Set your mind on things above where Christ is, and not on temporal things of the earth. When Christ who is your life, appears. Then you will appear with him in glory. (Colossians (3:1-4). And you shall receive a an eternal “crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8).
