The Five Essentials for Prosperity

Psalms 1:1–3 1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. (NIV)

Often, we wonder if there is a specific plan from God for our lives. The simple answer is no. This may be difficult for some to accept. But the Lord has called us to live a certain way and to live out His mission. The focus is not on a rigid, predetermined path, but on faithful obedience in whatever path we take. How we go about this, whether it is sharing the Gospel or just taking care of our families, is not set in stone by God. Instead, like a good Father, He gives us some freedom to do those things that bring us fulfillment and to do those things with people we enjoy.

We also may struggle in the area of failure. Because we may think God has certain specific accomplishments we are to achieve, we then assume that God wants us to accomplish that thing that we might assume would be completed if we obeyed Him. However, the Lord does not hold us responsible for the outcome. He only holds us responsible for our obedience. The Lord doesn’t hold a wife responsible for changing her husband, only loving him well. God doesn’t hold a preacher responsible for souls being saved, only presenting the Gospel in love. And when our obedience is as it should be, He promises to give us prosperity in whatever we do. What a promise!

In our passage today, the psalmist breaks our obedience into five things:

1.  We do not walk in step with sinners.

2. We do not stand in the way of sinners.

3. We do not sit in the company of mockers.

4. We delight in the law of the Lord.

5. We meditate on the law of the Lord.

   
   

We don’t walk in step with sinners. This means to live the lifestyle of those who do not follow Christ. We do not do as those who intentionally rebel against God.

We do not stand in the way of sinners. This means we are not to be in proximity to those things done by those intentionally rebelling against God. This goes beyond avoiding participation; it includes avoiding environments that normalize or celebrate sin. This is not just that we don’t do those things, but we do not let ourselves be near those things.

We do not sit in the company of mockers. This is about the company we keep. So even if we are not near the rebellious acts of sinners, we must not let these become part of our inner circle of friends. We love them, but they are not those we would spend our leisure time with unless the purpose was intentional ministry in that time. 

We delight in the law. We find joy in serving God. We do not obey begrudgingly, nor do we obey only in the areas that are comfortable and easy.

We meditate on the law. We spend a great deal of time in the Word of God. Not simply reading it, but going slow, taking it in, contemplating meaning, and imagining how to apply what it says.

When we do these things, God promises to prosper us in whatever we do. Prosperity of the mind, the body, the spirit, relationships, finances, career, serving, ministry, and every other area of life is ours from the Lord. We need only to do these five things.

Prayer

Lord, help me to walk in obedience to You. Give me discernment in my relationships, joy in Your Word, and a heart that delights in following You. Shape my life according to Your truth, and let me trust You with every outcome. Amen.