ICS Daily Devotions
My Soul Is Flourishing

3 John 2-4 (NKJV) Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

This is not a general salutation of an epistle but a sincere prayer from the Apostle John for Gaius to be healthy in his soul. We will prosper in our souls through the choices that we make in order to stay healthy in the body, mind and to prosper in all things. The prosperity of the soul is not a given thing in the life of a Christian, but rather something we pursue with all the promises and the abilities that God has given us in the new creation.

Are you ready for prosperity? That is, prosperity in the realm of the soul. Every aspect of our lives will flourish including our health when our souls are prospering. When our souls are thriving, the stress levels in our lives are reduced, which in turn could reduce the illnesses and sicknesses in our lives.

Let us look at the meaning of the word “prosper” found in 3 John 2.

Prosper (Strong’s Concordance 2137 : euodoó) is literally to have a good journey or lead along on a good path, guide well, have things turn out well. Depending on the context, it means (a) of removal of difficulties in the way and being successful in accomplishing some activity or event (b) of material prosperity in daily avocation (c) of physical health (d) of spiritual health. KJV translates it as a “prosperous journey”. (https//www.preceptaustin.org/romans_18-10)

As Christians, we are aware that we are on a journey as pilgrims and sojourners on this earth. The life on earth is temporal and we have a destiny in heaven. We did not bring anything with us when we were born, and we will not be able to take any materials blessings with us when we die. Yet, we dedicate so much of our time and energy on material possessions and earthly accolades. There is no need to bring anything to heaven where the roads are paved in gold! We will spend eternity in the presence of God. This is the Christian point of view.

The word prosperity in the Bible and the definition given by the world are very different. According to the Apostle John, biblical prosperity is more holistic because it covers spiritual health, physical health and it includes material prosperity. Therefore, we should use it as a yardstick to measure whether we are truly prospering in God’s way rather than the ways of the world. God has given us the choice to deal with issues that pertain to our lives. He has given us the ability to choose including making the decision to receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Therefore, we will have more prosperity in our souls when we make the right choices by claiming the promises of God and acting on what is right in the eyes of God.

Sermon Series: Is Your Soul Prospering?