Just As Your Soul Prospers!

This is one of my very favorite verses of all time.  You want to know the secret to life?  Here it is.

3 John 1:2(NKJV)

2Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 

First of all notice that we have one of the apostles, John, praying for prosperity  for the followers of Jesus.  What is another word that describes prosperity?  Wealth.  What areas of their lives did John want them to prosper in?  ALL areas.  Notice it doesn't say in all areas except material things.  It doesn't say all things except monetary things.  It says ALL things.

But what is the catch?  And this is my favorite part.  It is predicated on how well your soul is prospering.  Soul prospering?  How exactly does that work? 

Here is my understanding of it.  I believe that your soul prospers as your relationship with God and Jesus grows and deepens.  The more you dig into Scripture to learn what God has in store for your life the more your soul prospers.  The more you are in prayer, in communication with God, the more your soul prospers.  And the more you take what you have learned from your relationship with God and Jesus, AND apply it to your everyday life, the more your soul prospers. 

A logical question might be why are there so many Christians that believe but aren't prospering.  In my opinion it is a disconnect between their spirituality and their everyday life.  They simply fail to implement what they have learned into their lives.       

Let me give just one example.  The Parable of the Talents.  How many of us have read it, nodded our heads and said "neat story"?  Now how many of us have actually sat down and plumbed the depths of the meaning of that parable and actually implemented the lesson into our lives.

I'll make you a guarantee.  If you study that one Parable and put the principles into practice in your own life, a year from now you will be more prosperous than you are today.  How can I make that guarantee?  Because it is based on a Biblical principle.

Would you not agree that if you are taking the lessons that you learn from God and actually applying them to your life, you are prospering spiritually more than a person who simply hears but doesn't implement?  Of course you would.    So by logical extension, you will be prospering more spiritually a year from now and that leads to you prospering in all areas, even as your soul prospers!

Now where does it all start?  It starts by accepting Jesus.  Have you done that yet?  If not, why not?  Do you feel that tug deep inside you?  That tug that you have fought for a long time?  Why not give in and surrender to the tug this time.  Have a talk with Jesus.  Let Him know where you want and need His help.  "Dear Jesus…."