On becoming prosperous and successful

A man with common sense wants to prosper not only physically, materially but more so spiritually. It is God’s will that man will prosper.

But how shall man prosper physically, materially and spiritually?

The wisest of all Kings and all of men, Solomon, said, “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich” (Prov. 10:4 KJV). He reiterated this in Prov. 22:29 in this manner: “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean (or ordinary) men” (KJV).

Diligence is defined this way:

“Careful and persistent work or effort. It is conscientiousness or industriousness and meticulousness in doing ones work or activity.”

It is said that master artist, the genius Michaelangelo would work on his paintings carefully and meticulously until he has done the best he could. It is a persistent and hard work exerted resulting to what the experts call it an “obra maestra” - a master piece. If we do the same in all our endeavors, we shall succeed.

The equally genius Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor of the incandescent lamp which is now our modern fluorescent lamps and light bulbs, had to do numerous experimentations before he succeeded to produce the kind of lighting system that the world over is enjoying now. This has been a conscientious and meticulous hard work by Thomas Alva Edison!

But it is not enough that we prosper physically and materially. More importantly, we must also prosper in our soul or spiritually.

The Bible says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper in health (physical) even as thy soul (spiritual) prospereth” (3^rd John vs. 2 KJV). Even if someone has plenty of money and properties if he is sick or sickly and his soul is not “saved,” he is pitiful above all creation of God. Better to be poor in money and property but in good health and his soul be assured of eternal life by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, the LORD.

For by grace are ye saved through faith (in Jesus Christ) and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9 KJV). Also the Bible says, “therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28 KJV). The law does not save, but faith in God/Jesus Christ in person does!

Grace is unmerited favor. Meaning, man “as is” does not merit the favor from God, but by man’s faith in Jesus Christ, he is justified. Meaning “just-as-if” he has not sinned if he believes in his heart the saving virtue and power of Jesus Christ, and repents of his sins and accepts Jesus as his ONLY savior, no one else. Remember God is a jealous God. He died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3). Meaning, instead of the believer dying because he is a sinner - and for this matter we are all sinners, and the penalty for sin is death, Jesus Christ died in the sinner-believer’s stead or place.

What is faith? It is a complete trust or confidence in someone or something. The Bible defines spiritual faith in this manner: “it is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV). Meaning, we must have full trust and confidence in the promises and assurances of Jesus Christ. For example, Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Where is God the Father? In heaven. So, one goes to heaven only if he believes in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God and accepts Him as his only savior. Jesus also said: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die (spiritually). Believeth thou this?” (John 11:25-26 KJV). We will all die physically, as this is already written, but for us believers, our soul and spirit shall live eternally, “For God so loved the word that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall have eternal life” (John 3:16 KJV).

We must believe that there is eternal life promised by Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ gave us a sampling of himself who died physically in the cross of calvary but resurrected and now at the right hand of God interceding for all repentant sinners; that although we have not seen heaven or God the Father nor Jesus Christ, we believe in our heart that God the Father and Jesus Christ and heaven exist; that there is a heaven reserved for all saved sinners, and Jesus Christ lives forevermore and like Him we shall live forever with Him. This is the meaning of Faith in God and in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and only Savior.

Be prosperous and successful. Be Christlike.

God’s Formula for Success

Everyone wants to be successful especially when it involves our way of life. For instance, we want a successful family, or be successful in our relationships, particularly on our marriage relationship, or financially in our chosen career, vocation or profession, and etc.

God has given the formula for success, as follows:

^“8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8 KJV).

Before giving the above formula for success in life, God said to Joshua who succeeded Moses to carry on the difficult task of conquering the promised land inhabited by giants – Canaan land.

^“5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

⁶ Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I swear unto their fathers to give them.” (vss. 5 & 6)

Significantly, in vs. 7 God repeated His encouraging words in vs. 6 by reminding Joshua once more:

^“7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.” (vs. 7)

Notably, God, this time, inserted the word “very”, and He concluded by guaranteeing His abiding presence in this manner:

^“9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (vs. 9)

When God said, “this book of the law”, he was referring to the “Law of Moses” called the Pentateuch, or the first five books in the Old Testament, namely: Genesis, Exodus, Liviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. However, the law (of God) also includes the canonized books written by the prophets like Isaiah, and the rest of the prophets and other writings like the Psalms, in the Old Testament.

When, theologians say canonized, they refer to the books included in Old and New Testaments (OT 39 + NT 27 = 66 in all). All other writings have been excluded by the canonizing Fathers (priests). In the first to the third century A.D. (After death of Jesus Christ) there were no protestant ministers yet. Martin Luther, the “Father” of protestantinism was not yet born.

What were the standards used by the canonizing Fathers that will qualify a certain writing to be included in the canonized Bible (both Old and New Testaments)? The words must be spoken by God himself, or the writing must be done by God himself or written by the finger of God, like the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:34-28); it must have been written or authored by a man of God like Moses, Joshua, David, etc; or spoken of by the Lord Jesus Christ (like the Gospels as written or recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John); or authored by an apostle of Christ (there are 13 apostles including the Apostle Paul who authored 13 books of the Bible [or Epistles]), or authored by someone very close to the Apostles, like Matthew, Mark or Dr. Luke. In short, any book written or not authored or word not spoken by any of those enumerated above do not qualify to be canonized. Examine carefully, according to the above standards, whether the books included in your Bible are canonized or not.

Going back to the formula for success in life given by God to Joshua, when He said, “this book of the law shall not depart from your mouth”, meaning to say, you must know the law of God. Knowing is hearing or reading it. Thus, the Bible tells us “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17). It did not say “reading” only because not all people can read, but they can have faith by hearing the Word of God.

So, when confronted with any problem of life, we should ask ourselves: “What say the Word of God”? Pray to God that He will bring to your remembrance what you have heard or read. Follow the Word, and you will not be mistaken.

God tells us, “but thou shalt meditate therein (the Word) day and night.” To meditate is to think deeply or focus one’s mind for a period or focus one’s mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes, or to think deeply and carefully about (something). “Day and night” is figurative, not literal, otherwise we can do nothing else. In other words, always contemplate, think, consider, ponder, muse, reflect, deliberate about what the Word of God says or means, with prayer.

In addition, and this is extremely important, it is not enough that we know the Word, we must “observe to do according to what is written therein …” There must be action or implementation, not merely head knowledge.

There will be numerous troubles in life. We cannot escape them, for it is written, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and FULL of trouble” (Job 14:1). A hundred years is but a few days compared to eternity. For example, Jesus Christ was born of a woman, so he suffered and encountered numerous troubles in his human life and existence. The most tragic and most serious was his crucifixion to redeem sinful man (Rom. 3:23). Since everyone of us are born of a woman, we shall have plenty of troubles, but no longer be crucified, because Jesus Christ took our place.

What is the promise of God to all believers (also called righteous or true Christians)? King David, “a man after God’s own heart” in Psalm 34 declared:

^“14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

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¹⁷ The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

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¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” (vss. 14, 15, 17 & 19)

To be successful in whatever undertaking we do, let us remember Joshua 1:8, “OBSERVE TO DO” heartily and with all patience and perseverance what God said in His Word (the Canonized Bible).

The Reality Of Heaven And Hell

The unbelievers (those who do not believe that there is a God who created heaven and earth and all that is in them, and who rules the universe) do not believe in the existence of heaven and hell. These people believe that death will be the end of everything and all things. In short, they are the so-called atheist.

The canonized Bible tells us that “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). This heaven is defined by God himself by saying:

“⁶ And God said, Let there be a firmament (the heavens or the sky) in the midst of the waters and let it divide the waters from the waters. ⁷ And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. ⁸ And God called the firmament Heaven…” (Gen. 1:6-8 KJV)

In Luke 16:19-31, the LORD Jesus Christ himself related the story of the RICH MAN AND LAZARUS, as follows:

¹⁹ “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. ²⁰ At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores ²¹ and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. ²² “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³ In Hades (or hell), where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. ²⁴ So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ ²⁵ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. ²⁶ And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ ²⁷ “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, ²⁸ for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ ²⁹ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ ³⁰ “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ ³¹ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” (Luke 16:19-31 NIV)

This must be a true picture of Hades (or hell) because it was related by Jesus Christ who said, “I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life; no one cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6 KJV). Meaning, any statement made by Jesus Christ is absolutely true. God never tells a lie. It is impossible for God to lie, according to the Bible (Numbers 23:19 and Hebrews 6:18). This story is related by Jesus Christ to let the living know and warn us what happens to us in the next life or world to come if we behave like the rich man, or like Lazarus, poor but a believer of Christ (God in the flesh).

Let us analyze carefully the import or meaning of the aforequoted narrative story of Jesus Christ.

In verse 23, hell really exists and it is a place of TORMENT (KJV) or AGONY (also vs. 24-25, 28 NIV).

When someone dies, he/she is consigned to either heaven or hell. There is no intermediate or other place: it is only heaven or hell. Once there, the soul of the dead one can no longer be transferred from hell to heaven or from heaven to hell. No amount of repeated petition by prayer of the living loved ones will cause the transfer of the soul from hell to heaven (vs. 26, 29-31). This is the very reason why true and genuine theologians do not believe in the existence of an intermediate place called “Purgatory”. Indeed, we can find nothing said in the canonized Bible about purgatory. Consequently, there is reason to believe that there is no such place. It is here now while we are on earth that we can prepare ourselves to qualify to enter the kingdom of God – HEAVEN.

Only the Bible (Word of God [Moses and the Prophets] can convince people about God on the existence of heaven and hell (vs. 31). If someone does not believe the Word of God (the Bible), then no one else can convince that someone, even by someone who rose from the dead (Luke 16:31).

Beginning at Chapter 18 of the book of Revelation, the Bible mentions heaven. This is repeated in Chapter 19:1 and in 20:1. In Rev. 21:1, the Bible says, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth! for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. Then John further described the new heaven and hell as follows:

“² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." ⁵ He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." ⁶ He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. ⁷ He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. ⁸ But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." (Rev. 21:2-8 NIV)

Since the Bible tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23) and “For the wages of sin is death…” it seems very difficult if not impossible to enter heaven or the kingdom of God. In fact, Jesus himself said, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matt. 19:23-24 NIV). Imagine the physical impossibility of a camel to go through a “needles eye”!

The lesson is: We must believe the canonized Bible; act on it; repent of our sins; accept by FAITH the LORD JESUS CHRIST as our LORD and ONLY SAVIOR, and be assured of a place in Heaven.

The Bible tells us, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceived ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9 NIV). For the repentant-believer Jesus Christ “died for his sins” (1 Cor. 15:3 and 2 Cor. 5:21 KJV).

Thus, Jesus Christ said, “I am the resurrection and the life: He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die (spiritually)” (John 11:26 NIV). He demonstrated this truth by resurrecting Lazarus, His friend (a believer) even after the latter died and was buried already for four days (John 11:38-44 NIV).

Heaven is as real as hell. The believer’s destiny is Heaven. He will live there with Jesus Christ (God) forever.

The Fate of the Wicked and Righteous Compared

The anonymous Psalmist in Psalm 92 compares the wicked and the righteous in this manner:

vs. 7. Although the wicked flourish like weeds [or grass KJV], and evildoers blossom with success, there is only eternal destruction ahead of them [or it is that they shall be destroyed for ever, [KJV] (NLT).

He continued, saying:

vs. 12 But the godly [righteous KJV] will flourish like Palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. 13For they are transplanted into the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. 14Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they shall remain vital and green [they shall be fat and flourishing KJV] 5They will declare, “The LORD is just! He is my rock! There is nothing but goodness in him! [the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him [KJV] (NLT).

The New Living Translation (NLT) Bible makes this commentary.

“Palm trees are known for their longlife. To flourish like Palm trees means to stand tall and to live long. The cedars of Lebanon grew to 120 feet in height and up to 30 feet in circumference, thus, they were solid, strong and immovable. The Psalmist saw believers as upright, strong, and unmoved by the winds of circumstance. Those who place their faith firmly in God can have this strength and vitality.” (NLT p. 922, July 1996 Edition).

Why do I usually make reference to King James Version (KJV)? Because in Theology, the KJV is a translation nearest to the original Hebrew or Greek in which languages our Old Testament and New Testament were respectively originally written. And why do I often make reference to the New Living Translation (NLT)? Because “this translation is accomplished by translating entire thoughts (rather than just words) into natural everyday English. The end result is a translation that is easy to read and understand, and that accurately communicates the meaning of the original text”.

The Psalmist said: “Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green”.

Again, I go back to one of my favorite expressions: “Experience is the best teacher.” When I was a young practitioner of the law profession, I was always nervous to face the Judges who usually are old, and well known successful practitioners before they were appointed to the judiciary. It is only when the trial of my case is done that I feel relieved. But now that I am old, I do not feel nervous anymore because I am always older than the oldest Judge (who has not retired), and being well experienced in the practice of the profession, I am conversant with the procedures of trial, and even the Judge address me as “Sir” in our conferences in the chambers, during pre-trial proceedings, which makes my younger adverse counsel “nervous.” I chose not to elaborate further. Imagine usually a very strict Judge addressing me “Sir” in the presence of my adversary counsel and his client!

The wisest man (King Solomon) that ever lived on earth whom the Bible tells us, “no one is wiser before him and after him,” said: “Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise; Why should thou destroy thyself? Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish; why should thou die before thy time?” (Eccl. 9:16-17 KJV). Meaning, going to the extreme is not good for us.

The Bible tells us also, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6 KJV). Who are those who may be considered old? In our society today, a child is up to 12 years old; a youth is 13 to 25; 26 to 40 or 45 is middle age. Beyond this age may be considered matured up to 49. Age 50 and above may be considered old. Thus, Moses who was commissioned by God to liberate the Israelites (Hebrews) from their Egyptian bondage was 80 years old (with enough experience in life). Indeed, he was really old then! He died at the age of 120 and was buried by God himself. Moses said: “Seventy years are given to us! Some may reach even eighty. But even the best of those years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we are gone” (Psalm 90:10 NLT).

Abraham of old was called to active duty by God when he was already 75 years old. And these two personalities did some important missions worth recording in the Book of all Books – the Bible – the “Manufacturer’s Manual” for mankind.

In modern times, during World War II, Gen. Douglas MacArthur who was already a retired General of the U.S. Army was recalled to active duty when he was already 64 years old. In politics, Sir Winston Churchill became a Prime Minister of England at the age of 77. And these men did an excellent job in their respective field of endeavor.

Why old people are called to active duty? Because, I repeat for emphasis, “experience is the best teacher”.

How did I acquire a multi-million corporation client with 200 employees, consisting of mechanics, welders, aircon technicians, mechanical engineers, accountants, etc., that rebuilds and assembles Korean-made cars? The President of this corporation one day in 2003 after being disappointed with his former “younger” lawyer in a certain case, asked for recommendation from the staff of the court for an old (experienced) lawyer. By God’s will, they recommended me. Since then, this client stuck with me.

Learning from an experienced lawyer from Manila, Philippines, who was my co-counsel in some land cases in a 100-hectare residential subdivision in Davao City, Philippines, called the Davao Central Park Subdivision, who told me that very rich clients are usually stingy, but he said, “ask for what is abundant with him and he will readily give it to you.” So, every time I win a substantial case for this vehicle re-builder and assembler client, I ask a car for my fee. He would readily give me one of my choice, of course, a slightly used one almost brand new, and the bonus is that the brand new tires, batteries, and repairs, if any, are also free. Now, by the grace of God, I have more cars than I need. Praise God!

For those growing old like me, thank God for His blessing of old age. Just be “planted” in the courts of God, and you will flourish like Palm trees and grow strong like cedars of Lebanon. Even in old age, you shall bear fruit, you shall remain vital and green and flourishing, and receive manifold blessings both material and spiritual. To God be the glory!