The other day, I was using an e-hailing service to get home. Throughout the trip, my driver spoke passionately about his desire to acquire wealth. His zeal to accumulate riches revealed what he valued most in his heart—he valued prosperity. Like most of us, my driver didn’t merely want more money. No. He whole-heartedly believed that money would solve all his problems and provide security.
Most of us believe that money will solve all our problems.
As followers of Jesus, we can also be tempted to value material prosperity. When we do this, we are deceived into thinking that wealth is more precious than the one who gives all riches. However, God calls us to value his presence over prosperity. This is at least one of the points in Psalm 73.
The Lure and Love of Prosperity
In Psalm 73:2, the psalmist recalls a time when “his feet had almost stumbled” and his “steps had nearly slipped.” And as he teetered, he almost turned away from God. Why? Because he “was envious of the arrogant” (Psalm 73:3). His envy was fuelled into flame when “saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:3). In other words, he observed the opulent, painless, trouble-free life of the wicked (Psalm 73:4-5); and that tempted him to desire prosperity above all else.
The psalmist nearly threw himself down the rabbit hole of pursuing a life of material abundance.
In short, the psalmist is wrestling with the apparent prosperity of the wicked in contrast with his lowly estate. As he grapples with this, the psalmist grows envious of them. Of course, envy is usually only the beginning; and not an end. For in all of this, the psalmist nearly threw himself down the rabbit hole of pursuing a life of material abundance, prosperity and comfort.
The psalmist’s experience is surely not that far apart from our own. For we live in a world that prizes prosperity but has a passing interest in knowing God. Thus, we too can begin to envy the prosperous lives of unbelieving friends, family, colleagues, celebrities or influencers. We can begin to utter words like, “All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence” (Psalm 73:13).
However, God calls us to not fall into this temptation. We must not miss the larger picture, even when it seems that those who pay no regard to God are some of the most prosperous in our world. Importantly God doesn’t denigrate his good gifts, calling on us to disregard his blessings. Rather, God calls us to cherish his presence over any and every prosperity.
Learning to Love God’s Presence
How can we counter the temptation to value prosperity?
We need to remember that “truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart” (Psalm 73:1-2). It can be hugely discouraging to look at the affluence and gross wealth of those who don’t know God, and we can also start to question the goodness of God. But God is good (Psalm 73:1). And it’s good to be near to him, regardless of the season (Psalm 73:28). When we’re drawn by the bright lights of the passing age and prosperity, we must draw nearer to the one true God. This psalm is a challenge to reset, and rest in the goodness of God.
God isn’t only the giver of all good things but the greatest thing we’ll ever know.
Psalm 73 expresses this goodness as the assurance God’s people can have, knowing that he is with them. The psalmist “went into the sanctuary of God” (Psalm 73:17). The sanctuary, or temple, was a powerful reminder of God’s ongoing presence among his people. Once the psalmist enters God’s sanctuary, he is convinced afresh of God’s presence and guidance.
He writes, “I am continually with you; you hold my right hand” (Psalm 73:23). “You guide me with your counsel, and afterwards you will receive me into your glory” (Psalm 73:24). In some ways all of this culminates in a question that will have a familiar ring for many: “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:25). With this line the psalmist recognises God as being not only the giver of all good things but also the greatest thing we’ll ever possess or know.
Treasure What You Won’t Lose
Dear believer, “do you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Do you regularly remind yourself that “you…are not in the flesh but in the Spirit” (Romans 8:9)? When we are tempted to value prosperity, let us remember that we have the most valuable person dwelling in us through his Holy Spirit. Let us value God’s presence over prosperity because it is permanent and not fleeting like wealth or the comforts of this life.
Prosperity is delighting in God’s presence, regardless of our circumstances.
If I could have another conversation with my e-hailing driver, I would point him away from things to a person; from all that’s been made and is passing to the Maker himself. Knowing him is real wealth, riches inexpressible, true prosperity. So, again, I would want that driver to know that—through faith in Jesus Christ—he can have and enjoy the permanent presence of God, dwelling with and in us by the Spirit. I would tell him that true biblical prosperity is found in having a relationship with God and delighting in his presence, regardless of our material circumstances.
