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True Prosperity

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 4, 1870

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 36, No. 16.

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True Prosperity.

By John Matteson

NOTHING will ruin a man more easily than prosperity. In adversity the soul draws near to God; but in prosperity the Lord is easily forgotten. When Jacob was an exile from his father's house, a lonely stranger in the wilderness, with a stone for his pillow, then he drew near to God, and he was truly prospered; for he obtained an experience that fitted him for the kingdom of God.
Do you say he was prospered when he obtained sheep, and cattle, and property? So he was. But that all belongs to the meat that perishes. That was not the true riches, hence not true prosperity. That did not make him more acceptable with God. Is it not true prosperity to be made rich toward God? That night when Jacob wrestled with the angel, I think he was wonderfully prospered; for God became his portion, he obtained the blessing of Heaven, and became the father of the faithful.
The man who fully departs from every evil way, who obeys the law of God and delights therein, has this remarkable promise: “Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Ps. 1. Such a man will not do anything but that which is pleasing to the Lord. But it is not so easy to become such an one. We have been so depraved, so corrupted, it takes many bitter cups to heal us. Shall we not drink them, and be thankful for them? The position of a preacher is one of the most difficult in this message. Many such have been prospered in the past with seemingly great success. They have become corrupt and turned again like the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire, despising the holy commandment once delivered unto them. They are hastening down to destruction. I greatly fear and tremble. The road is very narrow. On the right and left I see the path is full of snares. I shrink from the terrible responsibility laid upon a teacher. But if there is no other way of duty, I pray give me no more prosperity than is good for me. Give me true prosperity. Simplicity, humility, heavenly love, humble zeal. Let me labor in a humble sphere, and be happy to do little things for the Master day by day. Let me be poor and despised with God's people, a vessel prepared for glory. This is true prosperity.
JOHN MATTESON.