The Only Way To Prosperity

The normal dream of any man is to prosper in life. For this reason, some pursue professional courses like medicine, law, engineering and such other courses which they believe will enable them to earn more money in the hope that if they have an abundance of money or if they become wealthy, they will become prosperous in life. To many people acquiring a degree in education is the key to material prosperity.

Our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, pursued a medical degree in Spain, then a progressive country in the world. Was he a prosperous man? Yes and no. Yes, because he enjoys the title of being the national hero of the Philippines. No, because he was not able to build a business empire where he could be wealthy materially like that of the Ayalas, Aranetas, Cojuancos, Madrigals, etc. He was not able to build a hospital or even a medical clinic of his own. His only outstanding accomplishment on historical record as a medical doctor was his successful operation of the cataract of his own mother. Of course, there is no dispute that he ignited and revolutionized the Filipino people to obtain their independence from the Spanish regime, and through his extraordinary talent in writing he authored two wonderful books. The Noli Me Tangere and the El Filibusterismo in which he exposed the abuses of the Spanish government particularly the clergy who were then the powerful forces in government, which eventually led to the overthrow of this foreign power. Had he organized a Foundation to pursue and manage the gain of his writing talent even after his demise, Rizal and his heirs or successors-in-interest would be very rich in royalty of his writing talent but not as a Doctor of Medicine, or by his educational achievements.

The Bible relates to us a man who prospered not only materially, politically, socially and spiritually – the man JOSEPH of the Old Testament. The Bible tells us, “ And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man, …” (Gen. 39:2 KJV). The Bible continues, “Because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.” (Gen. 39:23 KJV).

Who makes us to prosper? The LORD God Almighty. How? The LORD must be with us. Thus, the Bible instructs us, In Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all the things you have need of shall be added unto you.” It continues, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and Only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. This is true prosperity, not only materially, physically or socially, but more importantly SPIRITUALLY which is ETERNALLY - - and it is forever.

The question to ask is: How do we seek God? Pray and read the Bible. Memorize important passages which will automatically come to our mind when the need arises. Hear the Word of God from “Men of God” who teaches and preaches the WORD of God without adulteration, and do what the Word says or instructs. In other words, be a follower or disciple of Jesus (God in person) in thoughts, in words and in deeds. This is very difficult to do - - to be Christlike, but it is the only way to be successful and prosperous and a guarantee that our name will be written in the book of life (Rev. 20:12 & 15 KJV) like our specimen character Joseph of the Old Testament. Surely, the name of Joseph is not only written in the Bible but also in the Book of Life.

But before that, Joseph underwent hardships and sacrifices, physically, emotionally and spiritually - - almost unbearable, if not for the grace of God upon him. He did not give up but rather went through trials patiently with the various testing of his faith and in his life, such as his being persecuted by his own blood brothers and imprisoned though he was innocent and guiltless. So, like Joseph, let God be with us and be our Shepherd; let us be patient, don’t give up. God will never leave us nor forsake us (Joshua 1:5; Heb. 13:5). Add to these characteristics, diligence which according to Solomon, the wisest man whoever lived said, “The hand of the diligent maketh rich; but the slothful (lazy) become poor” (Prov. 10:4 KJV), and he added, “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor” (Prov. 12:24 NIV). The only way to have eternal prosperity, materially and spiritually and to be with Jesus (God in the flesh) in earth and in heaven is to follow the way - as Jesus has declared “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father (to heaven) except through me” (John 14:6 NIV).