3 John 1:2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Just note that the prosperity referred to here in 3 John 2 is to prosper in many areas of life not just financial. The third chapter of Proverbs gives us great insight into how to prosper and be in health and how to prosper your soul.

Proverbs 3:1-5  My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

We trust in the Lord by doing or keeping His Word. To the best of our ability, we do or carry out what God has asked us to do. We give and forgive, we walk in love, we speak in tongues, and in all things, we endeavor to keep Him and His Word first as our standard for believing and living.

Proverbs 3:6-11  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns (storehouses) be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.  My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

Interesting:  These verses deal with health and prosperity the same as 3 John 2. Note that in these verses, with regard to prosperity, the principle stated is to honor the Lord. In other words, take it to the temple. Second, they were to have a place to store the increase that God gave them. In their case, as an agricultural society, they were to have barns (storehouses). We might have savings accounts/storehouses for the abundance that God gives because of our giving.

In our walk, our life with God, we sometimes will need major and minor corrections in our course. It is like driving a car. To keep the car on course, it takes hundreds of minor corrections to keep it on the right road and to avoid danger.

Proverbs 3:12-13  For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

The word “happy” in verse 13 is the same as the word “blessed” used in the first Psalm. Note here, too, that “blessed – happy” relates to prospering in whatsoever you do.

Psalm 1:1-3  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The man here in Psalm 1 is prospering his soul as 3 John 2 says by delighting in the Word of God day and night. This is similar to, if not the same as, “seek ye first the kingdom of God” or “as thy soul prospereth”. How do we delight in the Word of God? By reminding ourselves during the day that we are the children of God, that we are set apart from the world by the work of Jesus Christ, that we are righteous, that our lives with our Father and Lord Jesus Christ are just beginning, and that we have a long future ahead of us. We delight in these truths.

Proverbs 3:14-15  For the merchandise of it (wisdom) is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She ( the wisdom of God’s Word) is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

Every place you read “She” or “Her” in this chapter is a figure of speech where the wisdom of God is referred to as a woman.

Proverbs 3:16  Length of days (health) is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour (prosperity).

Once again, it is the same as God’s great desire in 3 John 2 to prosper and be in health. And the key to these two things is to cling to, to delight in the wisdom of God and keep His Word first in our lives.

Proverbs 3:17-19  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

The wisdom of God that we are encouraged here to learn and live by is very great and powerful. God’s wisdom is so great and powerful it founded the earth and established the heavens. So, living according to the wisdom of God can give you a long peaceful life and great prosperity.

Proverbs 3:20-26  By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, let not them ( the wise words of God) depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

God gives a great many promises in this chapter to those who love Him and keep His Word first in their hearts. This chapter could be considered a key to unlocking the door of The Prosperous Life.

Live long and prosper.