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What the Bible Says About Prosperity

Overview

The Bible addresses prosperity across 31 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Deuteronomy, Job and Genesis. Closely related themes include Riches, Pride, Temptation and Children. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jacob, Joseph, Rehoboam and Hezekiah.

Key Bible verses about prosperity

Old Testament

Genesis

Genesis 33:11

Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it. enough: Heb. all things

Genesis 49:24

But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)

Genesis 49:25

Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:

Genesis 49:26

The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 8:10

When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.

Deuteronomy 8:11

Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:

Deuteronomy 8:12

Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;

Deuteronomy 8:13

And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;

Deuteronomy 8:14

Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

Deuteronomy 8:15

Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;

Deuteronomy 8:16

Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

Deuteronomy 8:17

And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

Deuteronomy 8:18

But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 31:20

For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.

Deuteronomy 32:15

But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

People in the Bible and prosperity

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying prosperity for yourself

  • Begin with Genesis 33:11, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Deuteronomy, Job and Genesis each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Jacob, Joseph and Rehoboam and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Riches, Pride, Temptation and Children.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about prosperity?

The Bible addresses prosperity across 31 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Deuteronomy, Job and Genesis. Closely related themes include Riches, Pride, Temptation and Children. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jacob, Joseph, Rehoboam and Hezekiah.

How many Bible verses are about prosperity?

The Bible references prosperity in 31 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention prosperity?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 33:11: “Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it. enough: Heb. all things”

Which people in the Bible are associated with prosperity?

Jacob, Joseph, Rehoboam, Hezekiah and Solomon.

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