He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
Psalm 1:3
We have been unpacking the rich imagery of Psalm 1. Verse three compares the righteous person to a flourishing tree. Its final line says, “In all that he does, he prospers.” Does this guarantee uninterrupted success or a trouble-free life for those who obey God? What does the Bible mean when it talks about prosperity?
Seeking Success
The Hebrew word for prosper is צלח (tzalakh). This verb occurs 65 times in the Hebrew Bible. A consistent theme emerges throughout its usage: God is the ultimate cause of prosperity or the lack thereof.
We see examples of this in the lives of various biblical figures. When Abraham’s servant sought a wife for Isaac, he waited to see if the Lord would bring him success on his mission (Genesis 24:21, 40, 42, 56). Similarly, when Joseph served in Potiphar’s house, the Lord caused everything Joseph did to prosper (Genesis 39:2-3). Nehemiah also prayed for success before the king (Nehemiah 1:11), acknowledging that true prosperity comes from God.
The story of Jeremiah’s loincloth further illustrates this point. The Lord commanded Jeremiah to buy a belt and hide it in a rock crevice. When Jeremiah later retrieved it, the belt had become ruined and worthless (Jeremiah 13:7). The Hebrew phrase used to describe its lack of success or prosperity literally means “It will not succeed/prosper for all/any.” The belt no longer served its intended purpose. Because the people had turned from the Lord, they would be like that useless loincloth (Jeremiah 13:10).
It is essential to recognize that any success we experience ultimately comes from God. We may work hard and put in effort, but it is God who enables and blesses our endeavors. By acknowledging Him as the source of all blessings, we honor and give credit to the One who deserves it. Any apparent success or prosperity outside of God’s influence is only temporary (Psalm 37:7)
To Ponder…
Just as a tree needs nourishment and care to thrive, so too does a person need to nurture their relationship with God to experience true success and prosperity. How has the Lord prospered you? Do you acknowledge him as the source of all blessing? How does he view success in your life?
Biblical prosperity extends beyond mere material wealth or worldly achievements. True prosperity encompasses the spiritual, emotional, and relational aspects of our lives. It is a result of our obedience to God, who is the ultimate source of success. As we align ourselves with his will and acknowledge him as the giver of every good thing, we can experience a profound sense of prosperity and find fulfillment in his purposes.
