Thursday, January 21, 2010

Prosperity Redefined

I was reading Psalm 1 recently.

In verse 3, the psalmist says of the righteous man (one who follows God):
"He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers."

Although I aim to follow God, I don't always feel very prosperous. Usually I evaluate prosperity in terms of "externals" - house, health, career, marriage, kids. However, I saw prosperity in a different light when I read the study note in my Bible:

A tree bears fruit, not for itself, but for others;
thus, when the faithful prospers, it is not for himself, nor is the prospering even necessarily material, but he succeeds in bringing benefit to others.

What an amazing God we serve, who can use brokenness to bring true prosperity.

2 comments:

emily said...

Its going to be so neat to follow ur three year Bible study!
Sooooo struggling with the external things right now.

Rachel Lundy said...

Thank you for sharing this, K. I can vouch for the fact that you are truly prosperous. I am always blessed and encouraged when I read your blog. The words you share are a benefit to me. I know that the prunings you have received must be very painful, but they produce beautiful fruit. Out of your brokenness, comes a precious gift for others.

One day in Heaven your reward will be great. And I'm excited that I will be there to see it. :)