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
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
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:)
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:
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
When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.
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:
Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;
And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;
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;
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;
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;
And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
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.
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.
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.
2 Chronicles
And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.
But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
Job
He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.
Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks. as dust: or, on the dust
Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver. defence: or, gold plenty: Heb. silver of strength
For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God.
Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.
Psalms
A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. for: or, of Solomon that: Heb. that are builders of it in it
A Song of degrees. Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
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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