August 11, 2026 4:00 am
The concept of prosperity in Christianity is often misunderstood, with some teachers promoting a false gospel of health and wealth. However, the Bible teaches that true prosperity is measured by the health and prosperity of one's soul, not material wealth or physical health.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
It's Time to Man Up!
Nikita Koloff
Our American Stories
Lee Habeeb
Kingdom Pursuits
Robby Dilmore
It's Time to Man Up!
Nikita Koloff
Carolina Journal Radio
Nick Craig
Dana Loesch Show
Dana Loesch
Welcome to the Days of Praise podcast, a daily devotional by the Institute for Creation Research. True Prosperity Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1.2 This text has been misused by many who promote the modern false gospel of health and wealth, teachers who promise healing and financial success to every believer whose soul prospereth. The negative implication of such teaching, of course, is that Christians who are not in robust physical health and enjoying material affluence are somehow lacking in faith and are not in the will of God. This pernicious notion is disproved, of course, merely by the example of Paul the Apostle.
He was a far more exemplary Christian than any of these latter-day false teachers, yet his earnest prayer for healing from his thorn in the flesh was denied, and he died in poverty and martyrdom in a Roman dungeon. There are numerous modern examples as well. Fanny Crosby was blind but wrote many wonderful hymns, for example or many have given their lives in sacrificial service on a thousand mission fields. Note that our text is not a promise, but a prayer.
Furthermore, that prayer will be answered in great fullness, but not necessarily now. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away. He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. In the meantime, we should remember that this coming time of true prosperity will be measured in accordance with the health and prosperity of our souls, exactly as John had prayed for his spiritual children. For Jesus said, My reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Revelation 22 20. Mm-hmm. Uh If you've enjoyed today's devotional, be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. And please rate and review so more listeners can find us. To support ICR's ministry, visit icr.org/slash donate.
Your gift of any amount helps us to reach others with biblical truth and encouragement. Thanks for listening. We hope you'll start each day with days of praise.
