March 20

Proverbs 3:9, 10 divulges a profound secret, a secret that all of us yearn to appropriate but sometimes fail to discover. We long to be prosperous—not merely financially but also spiritually, yet we find ourselves lacking in even the realm of worldly prosperity, let alone in the more important realm of the eternal.

The key found in this scripture says, “Honor the Lord with your substance, with the firstfruits of your labors; so shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your vats overflowing with new wine.” This sounds like a great caption for the prosperity gospel, but it is more than a catch phrase. It is sound advice.

The Lord has affirmed in many places in the scripture that it is His will for His people to prosper. A notable example is found in III John 2 where the beloved apostle is addressing his flock. It is to the people of God he says, “I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.” John is not wishing only for the accumulation of wealth of believers, however.

It is his fervent hope that those who profess Christ prosper financially, physically, and spiritually! When we who name the name of Jesus surrender our substance to Him, we empower Him to release the fullness of His blessings, both temporal and spiritual, to us. When we demonstrate our faithfulness in managing the fleeting resources of time, He entrusts to us the abiding treasures of eternity.