May 15, 2026

Business by the Book

Psalm 1:3 …and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Prosperity is largely a universal goal. It is a rare person indeed that would not have prosperity as a goal.  “I want to be poor, broke, impoverished, and indigent” is not something to which people aspire.  Given the choice, people in their right mind would choose prosperity over being penniless. Prosperity is relative. For one person having enough to afford the necessary things of life may be their idea of prosperity, another may think being a millionaire is prosperity, while a millionaire may think being a billionaire is prosperity. Prosperity is on a sliding scale which is relative to one’s current state. 

Psalm 1:1-3 gives several conditions that if met prosperity is certain to follow. These could be called Principles for Prosperity. There are five of these principles which we will examine over the next week, beginning Monday. 

Today however consider the bonus. Everyone likes a bonus. The five principles once embraced are guaranteed by God’s Word to make anyone, and everyone, prosper, but there is more.  In fact, there are three other promises that accompany this prosperity. They are all found in the first part of

Psalm 1:3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water…  Those who learn and practice these five principles will be fixed and continually watered by various means. Water is vital to all life, it’s been said that the human body is 98% water and that many ailments are brought about because of continued dehydration of various degrees.  Those who prosper based upon God’s five principles contained herein are promised to have enough water for all their needs. 

The second part of the bonus is that those …bringeth forth his fruit in his season.  Notice the two usages of the word “his”.  His fruit in his season!  This speaks of individual accomplishment during that person’s lifetime.  And thirdly, …his leaf also shall not wither… Leaves not only add beauty to a tree they serve vital tasks that allow the tree to maintain health and life.  The word “wither” as used here means senseless or foolish, to sink or drop down. 

By understanding and practicing the five principles found herein a person is not only promised prosperity, but there is the added promise of being fixed in position, continually watered by Almighty God, being fruitful in this lifetime, having beauty with all the characteristics for health and life, and never being senseless, or foolish, with no fear of sinking or being dropped. 

It’s no wonder that Peter wrote, Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: (II Peter 1:4) God’s Word contains many promises; none surpass the ones in Psalm 1:3.  Stay tuned, on Monday the first of these five Principles for Prosperity.

Dr. William Howe