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Prosperity

Flourishing or being successful, especially pertaining to financial issues.

Devotional Thought

Read Joshua 1:1-9; 11:23.

For forty years the Israelites had wandered in the wilderness as punishment for their lack of faith. Joshua was now in command and ready to enter the Promised Land with a new generation of people ready to follow His lead. Before crossing the Jordan River to claim God's promise, God charged Joshua and the people to be devoted to God and His Word. If they would do this they would prosper. Throughout the first eleven chapters of Joshua we see that they remained true to God and His Word. Because of this they were blessed with overwhelming victories.

God desires for us to experience success. Scripture tells us repeatedly that He desires good and not evil, prosperity and not poverty, peace and not war for His people. Being promoted, noticed, praised and elevated to a place of prominence can come from God Himself. As Psalm 75:6-7 reminds us, "But God is the judge; He puts down one, and exalts another." Our true character often emerges through prosperity as we take credit for our successes. However, we should be quick to remember that it is not of our own efforts or good fortune but instead it really lies in the Lord's provision and mercy.

Though being prosperous is certainly appealing, it also can be a precarious position. Abraham Lincoln once commented, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." It's extremely dangerous to start believing your press clippings and believe YOU (apart from God) are somebody. Do you know what "EGO" stands for? Edging God Out!! Unfortunately many people have stumbled terribly because they couldn't handle the success and acclaim that resulted from a prosperous life.

Real prosperity is more of a condition of our hearts, rather than fancy clothes and expensive cars. God does promise to bless us with food, clothing and shelter as we seek Him (Matthew 6). Rather than manipulating and seeking after selfish ambitions, stay faithful and humble. Allow God to decide when you should be exalted and praised. Quietly trust Him with your life.