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As one who has studied the bible regularly for many decades, I have noticed that scripture has much to say about success and prosperity. When you look at many bible verses about success, you will see that God's view of it varies from what we see daily in our society.
The principles are simple yet complex because they are not only built on practical steps (as we are commonly taught) but also require foundations of faith to be sustained and maximized. Furthermore, the success and prosperity we find in God are considered “true” success. James 1:17 says, “Every good thing given, and every perfect gift is from above…”
In Holy Scripture, success is predicated on focusing on God first and the things we seek to achieve secondary. Because our focus on the Lord and faith in Him releases His favor and grace upon the work of our hands.
Truth be told, scripture will show us that God wants us to thrive on every level and succeed more than we desire success and prosperity for ourselves. We can persevere and accomplish great things through Him, fulfilling a much higher purpose. Philippians 4:13 says it best.
“I can do all things [which He (God) has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.].”
What is Success?
By definition, success is to accomplish a goal or aim you have purposed in your heart to attain. Many of us dream of being successful, but not all of us have the work ethic behind the dream to bring it to reality.
Then, there is a question of what success looks like to each individual. What I view as success and what my best friend sees as success are very different things.
My best friend Danny considers his life a success because he lives in a lovely home and drives an expensive truck that everyone stares at when he drives down the road. He is also married to a beautiful younger woman.
They can afford to do pretty much anything they want to do, like going on once-in-a-lifetime vacations, buying expensive name-brand clothing, or staying up to date on the latest electronics.
For me, success looks a lot simpler. I am in a great relationship with my spouse, the bills are paid on time, and we are close to debt-free. We live simply and enjoy it, only splurging on things we need, like new furniture, mattresses, or appliances. As far as my spouse and I are concerned, we are successful.
So, success has a lot to do with what a person values over what they have (possessions).
What is Prosperity?
The definition of prosperity is to be in a state of success and thriving. Especially when it comes to economic wealth. When we think of someone having prosperity, we think of a multi-millionaire or billionaire. These people can buy almost anything they want at any time without significant concern for their finances.
You won't find any of these people checking their account balances before ordering dinner at an upscale restaurant. However, as found in the scriptures, prosperity is so much more than money.
It encompasses a state of well-being spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. If any of those things are out of order, we are not prospering. For instance, Jay was a restaurant owner in Hollywood. He had many A-list patrons like Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Anniston, and Denzel Washington, to name a few.
On the outside, many felt that Jay was prospering because of the 200-thousand-dollar car he drove, the multi-million-dollar home he lived in, and the lifestyle he lived outside of work, hanging out with many famous movie and television stars. But one day, Jay's wife, Sabrina, left him for another man and asked for a divorce.
Then, unfortunately, Jay fell into a deep depression. Over time he was miserable. He became frustrated with his life, lost interest in his business and faith in God, had no energy to work, and was emotionally wrecked. His money could not fix his problems.
In an interview I conducted for this article, everyone questioned felt prosperity was having more than enough, from a material standpoint. But, subsequently, they also agreed that true wealth is much more than one person's possessions.
Lastly, most across the board believe a person is genuinely prospering when they are grateful for everything they have, no matter how great or small.
27 Best Bible Verses About Success & Prosperity
1. Genesis 13:14-17
“The Lord said to Abram after Lot had left him, “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are standing, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see I will give to you and to your descendants forever. I will make your descendants [as numerous] as the dust of the earth, so that if a man could count the [grains of] dust of the earth, then your descendants could also be counted. Arise, walk (make a thorough reconnaissance) around in the land, through its length and its width, for I will give it to you.”
2. Leviticus 26:3-5
“If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments and [obediently] do them, then I will give you rain in its season, and the land will yield her produce, and the trees of the field bear their fruit. 5 And your threshing season will last until grape gathering and the grape gathering [time] will last until planting, and you will eat your bread and be filled and live securely in your land.”
3. Proverbs 15:6
“Great and priceless treasure is in the house of the [consistently] righteous one [who seeks godly instruction and grows in wisdom], but trouble is in the income of the wicked one [who rejects the laws of God].”
Great and priceless treasure is in the house of the [consistently] righteous one [who seeks godly instruction and grows in wisdom], but trouble is in the income of the wicked one [who rejects the laws of God].” – Proverbs 15:6
4. Matthew 6:31-34
“Therefore, do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But first and most importantly, seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
5. 2nd Corinthians 6:4-10
“But we commend ourselves in every way as servants of God: in great endurance, in sufferings, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in sleepless nights, in hunger, in purity and sincerity, in knowledge and spiritual insight, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in [speaking] the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [like holding the sword to attack] and for the left [like holding the shield to defend], amid glory and dishonor; by evil report and good report; branded as deceivers and yet [vindicated as] truthful; as unknown [to the world], yet well-known [by God and His people]; as dying, yet we live; as punished, yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet bestowing riches on many; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.”
6. Deuteronomy 28:13
“The Lord will make you the head (leader) and not the tail (follower), and you will be above only, and you will not be beneath, if you listen and pay attention to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am commanding you today, to observe them carefully.”
7. Psalms 37:4
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart.”
8. Deuteronomy 30:19-20
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse; therefore, you shall choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding closely to Him; for He is your life [your good life, your abundant life, your fulfillment] and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord promised (swore) to give…”
9. Job 22:21
“Now yield and submit yourself to Him [agree with God and be conformed to His will] and be at peace; in this way [you will prosper and great] good will come to you.”
10. Psalms 145:16
“You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.”
11. Job 36:11
“If they hear and serve Him, they will end their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness and joy.”
12. 1st Timothy 6:6-8
“But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment [that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God]. For we have brought nothing into the world, so [it is clear that] we cannot take anything out of it, either. But if we have food and clothing, with these, we will be content.”
But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment [that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God].For we have brought nothing into the world, so [it is clear that] we cannot take anything out of it, either. But if we have food and clothing, with these, we will be content.” – 1st Timothy 6:6-8
13. Proverbs 10:22
“The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches, and He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God].”
14. Romans 8:32
“He who did not spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”
15. Deuteronomy 28:6
“You will be blessed when you come in, and you will be blessed when you go out.”
16. 3rd John 1:2
“Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually].”
17. Psalms 23:1
“The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want.”
18. Matthew 7:11
“If you then, evil (sinful by nature) as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give what is good and advantageous to those who keep on asking Him.”
19. Proverbs 3:5-10
“Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways, know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil. It will be health to your body [your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles—all your inner parts] and refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your crops (income); Then your barns will be abundantly filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”
20. Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
21. Habakkuk 2:3
“For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time, it hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail. Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it because it will certainly come; it will not delay.”
For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time, it hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail. Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it because it will certainly come; it will not delay.” – Habakkuk 2:3
22. Psalms 37:25-26
“I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous (those in right standing with God) abandoned or his descendants pleading for bread. All day long he is gracious and lends, and his descendants are a blessing.”
23. Psalms 122:6-7
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you [holy city]. May peace be within your walls and prosperity within your palaces.”
24. Psalms 1:1-3
“Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example]. Nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers). But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season; its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].”
25. 1st Samuel 18:14
“David acted wisely and prospered in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.”
26. Psalms 90:17
“And let the [gracious] favor of the Lord our God be on us. Confirm for us the work of our hands—Yes, confirm the work of our hands.”
27. Proverbs 11:25
“The generous man [is a source of blessing and] shall be prosperous and enriched,
And he who waters will himself be watered [reaping the generosity he has sown].”
Final Thoughts on 27 Best Bible Verses About Success & Prosperity
Prosperity and success are truly achieved when we live in God’s best for our lives. Studying bible verses on the two can help to renew our minds.
Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs] but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].”
Allow these bible verses to transform your lives. When you apply Godly principles, you will begin to experience personal growth and the ability to interpret your life through the inspiration of God’s word.
No longer will your outlook be based on preferences, what's popular, others' opinions, or your own experiences.
Living with God's word as your lens will give you the insight to thrive on every level, spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. And that is how we honor God and experience the highest form of success and prosperity.
And if you want more inspirational bible verses, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 41 Bible Verses about Living with Anxiety & Fear
- 17 Bible Verses About Building Confidence and Self Esteem
- 27 Bible Verses About Valuing Your Self-Worth