Read 3 John

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 2)

Everything flows out from the soul. It is like a river, shaping the landscape it passes through and influencing the course it takes, serving as a wellspring of life and sustenance. So much so that the condition of the soul determines the outcome of life — even eternal life! That is how the Almighty designed it.

Jesus taught this principle in a profound way, saying:

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

The soul is so valuable and so important to life that not even all the riches of the world are comparable to one soul. Indeed, when the soul prospers, then life itself prospers! But when the soul is depressed, even the most basic form of happiness is a difficult feat.

Yet, Beloved, how quickly we forget the words of the Apostle John in our selected verse. Our soul already prospers! Notice John’s words: “just as your soul prospers.” It’s an assumed truth! How wonderful to be at rest knowing our soul is prospering because it is secure in the hands of our Heavenly Father.

The word “prosper” is an unusually rare word in the New Testament. It means more literally “to find a way.” I like that picture. Biblical prosperity is not, as many have falsely taught, to be physically rich, wealthy and healthy. What a shallow definition! What a pathetic affront to true happiness! Let us bury this faulty definition in the grave where it belongs.

Rather, biblical prosperity is having a soul which has found the way. And have we not found The Way, Beloved? We have! Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! (see John 14:6) Because of this, our souls are already prospering! Our health may shrivel up in a moment, but our soul prospers! Our wealth may sprout wings and fly away, but our soul prospers! You may lose everything in this life, but your soul will always pour out those prosperous torrents of Living Water!

Just as that faithful hymn proclaims:

“When peace like a river attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
"It is well, it is well with my soul.””

Remember this truth, Beloved, because it is the source of all your happiness. Do not seek outward things to be happy, for that is like trying to swim against a strong current. You will only exhaust yourself. Instead, seek your happiness where it alone can be found: in Christ who has prospered your soul.

“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ” Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2–3)