Focus: Prosperity In The Right Hands

Text: 3Jh.1:3

"For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth."

John writes to Gaius, whom he says he loves in the truth. It's a little chapter of a book, but powerful in its content and inspired of the Spirit to impact our lives.

John starts with prayer for Gaius. He says, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3Jh.2). It's a prayer that touches on total prosperity - material, physical and spiritual prosperity. We desire intensely and earnestly for this three-dimensional wellbeing. For many of us, we want it by all means.

For Christians who read 3rd John at all, we tend to stop at this second verse, but it's important that we see the connection between verses 2 and 3, and then we can see why John is praying such a prayer for Gaius.

Our text gives us the reason for the prayer. John says, "For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the TRUTH THAT IS IN THEE, even as thou WALKEST in the truth." You see, John is praying for a man who has the truth of God residing and presiding in him, and who is walking in the truth, that is, who is living out the truth! Gaius possesses the truth as the guiding principle of his life. His life is shaped by the truth of God's word. John loves those who love the truth and live in the light of it. In fact, in the next verse, he says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (3Jh.1:4). He is thrilled to see his children in the Lord living true and honest lives.

He is joyful when he sees Christians who let truth form the reality of their inner beings, and who walk in the truth.

Truth must come from the inside of us to influence life on the outside of us. We must let the truth function as a doctrine in our soul before we can see it become the guiding light of our daily dealings with others.

Truth frees us, and empowers us to live in freedom, not being in bondage to anything. Truth protects us from the errors of our times. Every age is an era of errors, and in our own era of errors, only the truth can save us.

John is praying for lovers of truth, for those begotten by truth, and for those enlightened, empowered and emboldened by truth.

When people of truth prosper, the God of truth is glorified, and the kingdom of God is advanced by their prosperity. They are not consumers of God's resources and blessings. People of truth are good stewards of God's resources. They use heavenly blessings for heavenly purposes. They are not careless of time, but more mindful of eternity. They use their good health, their material possessions, and their spiritual wellness to bless others and advance divine causes. Money in their hands is properly channeled.

John prays for prosperity for a man whose life is characterized by truth. Let's acknowledge, like the psalmist, that God desires truth in the inward parts of our beings, and in the hidden part He shall cause us to know wisdom (Ps.51:6).

I pray that you are that person of truth in whose hands God's prosperity will be safe, and not mismanaged or misused. Amen!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter