We live in a world that constantly shouts that a person’s worth is measured by what they have: their house, their bank account, the position they hold, or the clothes they wear. From childhood, we are bombarded with this idea, whether through other people or the media. There are even many messages that subtly lead us to think this way. So it is no surprise that when we hear the word prosperity, the first thing that comes to mind is money.
And it is understandable, because that is the definition the world has built. If you look up the definition of prosperity in a book or search for it online, you will find that many definitions have to do with status and material possessions. That is why so many people believe that the more money you have, the more famous you are, or the higher your position, the more prosperous you are… and the more valuable you become.
However, behind that idea lies a sad reality that is often ignored. We live in a superficial society that does not always look at people’s hearts: their values, their beliefs, how helpful, diligent, responsible, or respectful they are. Instead, it looks at their résumé, their success, what they can offer, or what others can get out of them. When you meet someone, it is common for them to ask, “What do you do for a living?” And depending on your answer, the way they speak to you may change, along with the respect and interest they show you.
How sad and painful it is for the value of a life to be calculated according to the title you carry or the salary you earn. How unfair it is that instead of truly seeing you as a person, others judge you by your profession or social status. This is how we end up in an exhausting cycle of comparison, pressure to achieve more, and dissatisfaction, believing that if we accumulate enough, we will finally be accepted. We will finally be “somebody” in this world.
What Is True Prosperity?
I imagine you are probably asking yourself right now: So what is prosperity, then? We have been deceived all our lives, but the Bible makes it clear in Mark 8:36: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Prosperity, according to the Word of God, is being able to preserve your soul. That is why, if you focus on earthly things, meaning the world’s system, its power, its riches, and its pleasures, you end up destroying yourself. That is not true prosperity. It is a false illusion. It is like when you sit down to watch television and become so absorbed in it that you escape reality. In the same way, you are escaping reality when you think that true prosperity is limited to what you can see and refuse to open your mind to the fact that earthly things are not everything. This life is temporary and passes in the blink of an eye, while what truly matters is eternal life with God. Yet you choose to leave God out of the equation and settle the transaction with eternal bankruptcy.
Sometimes we forget that Satan is the prince of this world and that this whole message about prosperity, money, and status is false. God does not measure your worth by what you have, but by who you are in Him. The prosperity that comes from above is not based on bank accounts, but on a life filled with purpose, peace, gratitude, and fellowship with the Creator. That is what true prosperity is all about. Human beings tend to measure their worth by what they accumulate, but the soul has an infinite value that no kingdom or fortune on earth can purchase or redeem.
That is why it is not surprising that some people have impressive fortunes… and empty hearts. People surrounded by luxury, yet tormented by anxiety, depression, or a deep sense of emptiness. Because what the soul needs cannot be bought.
That does not mean having money is bad, either. A person can have plenty of financial resources and still maintain a sincere relationship with God. The problem begins when riches take the place that belongs to the Lord, when we trust what we have more than we trust Him, or when we use money to determine how much a person is worth. In 1 Timothy 6:10, Paul warns us about the love of money, and in verses 17 through 19, he advises the rich not to place their hope in riches, but in God, and to be generous and willing to share.
That is why I also believe that the more you have, the greater your responsibility to give and help those in need. If God has allowed you to have resources, you can use them to do good. Financial prosperity can become a blessing to others when we remember to share what we have.
In 1 Timothy 6:6, Paul tells us, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” True prosperity also means living with reverence for God and learning to be content with what we have, without allowing the desire for more to make us lose sight of what truly matters. It means living with the essentials, having a peaceful heart, learning to say “thank you” even in times of scarcity, and knowing that you are walking in the eternal purpose for which you were created. Psalm 23:1 explains it beautifully: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
You shall not want if the Lord is your shepherd. This is not about material possessions that come and go. Because then, what happens if you lose those things? Do you lose your worth? Perhaps in the eyes of other people, yes, but not in God’s eyes. You never lose your worth.
True prosperity is looking at your life, imperfect as it may be, and knowing that you are not alone. Knowing that even though you may lack many things you wish you had, you have everything you need… because you have God.
How Much Is a Person Worth?
Whether you are a famous artist, a lawyer, a gardener, or a homemaker, you have the same worth as everyone else. The only difference is that we all have different gifts, serve in different ways, and contribute to society according to our abilities. Just imagine a world where everyone was a doctor, lawyer, or engineer! What about the teachers who educate us and bring joy into our lives? What about the custodians who keep our spaces clean? We all have different roles, and we are all necessary and important to God.
Now, there is something else we must remember: a person still has value even if they cannot work, produce, or contribute financially to society. Think about an elderly person who can no longer work, a person with a disability who needs assistance, or someone going through a serious illness. Are they worth less because they cannot work or because they need someone to care for them? Of course not. If we reject the world’s tendency to measure our worth by our salary or profession, then we should not measure it solely by how much we can contribute, either.
From the very beginning, God gave us a value that no profession or amount of money can determine. Genesis 1:27 reminds us that human beings were created in the image of God. That is why our worth does not disappear.
God came down to earth for everyone, even though some people do not believe that. But I do believe it: God came for everyone. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” His love and the invitation to receive salvation extend to all humanity, although that does not mean everyone will accept that invitation. John 3:18 also speaks about the importance of believing in Him. Even so, only some will be saved, those who accept His sacrifice and recognize Him as their Savior. So, in the end, only some will be covered by His sacrifice. Which is sad, because He came for everyone, yet only some want to go with Him.
And here I want to add something: if God showed His love for the world and came to offer salvation to everyone, why should we consider some people more valuable than others? If Jesus was willing to give His life for us, who are we to look down on another person simply because they have fewer resources or a job that society considers inferior?
A Prosperity That Never Runs Out
God’s prosperity does not wear out over time. It does not depend on whether you have a job or whether you achieve your goals this year. It is a prosperity that remains even through pain, difficult seasons, and moments when everything seems to be falling apart.
“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11)
That prosperity is born when you decide to trust. When you choose to rest in the knowledge that God is still good, even when your plans do not turn out as expected. When, in the middle of chaos, you can look up to heaven and say, “You are still here, and that is enough for me.”
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
Prosperity With Purpose
God does not want you to live consumed by worry over what you do not have. He does not want you to spend your life chasing acceptance through your achievements or comparing yourself to others in order to feel valuable. His desire is for you to live a full life, free from fear and anxiety, with true joy. Philippians 4:6 tells us, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
God wants you to be rooted in Him, not in your circumstances. He wants your roots to be firmly planted in His truth, not in the applause of the world. He wants you to find prosperity in obedience, in faith, and in the peace of knowing that you are loved and sustained. Jesus tells us in John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit…” Proverbs 28:25 also reminds us, “He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.”
Now, I do not want you to misunderstand me: this does not mean you should stop making an effort. God looks favorably upon those who work and strive day after day. Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” We can work, study, set goals, and strive to achieve them.
What we are talking about here is the superficiality of believing that prosperity has only to do with material things and how some people treat others according to the world’s standards. There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve our living conditions, own a home, pursue a career, or achieve a goal. What matters is remembering that none of those things determines our worth before God. We can work toward them without making them the most important thing in our lives. So let us not lose sight of true prosperity. Earthly things are tempting, and yes, money is necessary, but it is not the most important thing. Never lose sight of what matters most.
True Prosperity
True prosperity is not measured by what you possess, but by what remains when everything else is gone. Matthew 6:19-20 tells us, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” This passage teaches us to establish our priorities. Our priority should be to store up treasures in heaven. And how do we do that? By living according to God’s will, loving Him, obeying His Word, helping those in need, sharing what we have, and treating others with love. Because if we focus only on material things, which deteriorate, get lost, or can be stolen from us, we run the risk of losing something far more important: our eternal life with God.
Besides, sometimes we are so arrogant and proud that we forget something very important. The funny thing about all of this is that nothing in this world truly belongs to us. If it did, we could keep it forever, couldn’t we? But no. Everything belongs to God because He created it. And no matter how much money, how many titles, properties, or how much recognition we have, there will always be someone who has more than we do. So what is the point of thinking we are superior to others because of what we have accumulated? And just look at the irony! Sometimes we start thinking we are gods because of what we have, when we do not even own those things. We simply have them on loan for a while, and when we leave this world, we will take nothing with us. As 1 Timothy 6:7 reminds us, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”
We may have much or little, achieve great goals, or live a simple life, but none of those things should make us forget what truly matters. In the end, everything we accumulate in this world will stay here. So, as we work, make plans, and enjoy the blessings God allows us to have, let us remember that our greatest wealth is knowing Him, walking with Him, and having the hope of spending eternity by His side. After all, He desires what is best for us and knows better than anyone what we truly need.
Image credit: Photo by [Alexander Mils] on Unsplash
Publicado originalmente en mi antiguo blog, Perennidad (October 1, 2020). Revisado y adaptado para su publicación en Perennial Word.
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