Service, the gift of prosperity

We are told in Joshua 1:8, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

Prosperity and success are much more than money and possessions, it's about healthy relationships that complete each other, knowing your purpose, serving others at work and socially, in the knowledge that you are serving God. You see, "no one should seek their own good, but the good of others." (1 Cor 10:24). This is part of the essence of the law that Jesus commanded us to observe.

This makes me look at my present study notes on the "Shema" (Deut 6:4-6), “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart." As Jesus said (Mark 12:29-31), this is the greatest commandment and a second is as important, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ (quoting Lev. 19:18) and He finished, "There is no commandment greater than these."

The word "hear" can translate to "listen and do what is said". It has two sides to it - action and reaction. The same as "love" is about affection and care. If we love others, we will see them as images of God as well (what we are all created to be) and care and help them as if we are helping ourselves or God.

So before you think about what others should do for you, remember...that is the exact opposite of the Gospel and Christian life. The Kingdom of God that was preached by Jesus was an "upside down" kingdom where those that are "at the top" are the ones that are serving and helping the lowest. This way, God's will is done on earth as it is in Heaven. Jesus proved that by dying for the sins of every human being that ever lived, is living or will live.

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