Prosperity Part 1
October 6, 2025
Prosperity Part 1
Welcome to this week’s series of Daily Reflections on “Prosperity.”
Prosperity has come to mean economic thriving and success. But the Latin origin of the word has broader meaning. The root word of "prosperous” is from the Old Latin “pro spere,” meaning "according to hope" or "in conformity with one's hope." So, according to its original meaning, prosperity means having or being what we hope for.
Though wealth does not necessarily make a person happier, more worthy, or valuable than others, prosperity is typically a sign of a healthy and thriving person, family, and collective. So, prosperity has morphed into being most associated with economic thriving. However, it also carries its original meaning, having or being whatever we hope for.
Many of us hope for spiritual prosperity. Being truly prosperous in the spiritual sense is not defined by economic situations. Spiritual prosperity means living an abundant life. Again, abundance can refer to having all we want materially, but spiritually it is the giving and receiving of spiritual gifts to overflowing. Jesus said in John 10:10, “I am come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.” He did not mean that abundance or a fulfilling existence comes through overflowing monetary wealth.
In the spiritual sense, prosperity means a life infused with meaning, purpose, and love. Everything we need flows to us regardless of outer confusion, conflict, or deprivation. And according to spiritual teachers, and holy scripture, the most fundamentally needed things are belonging, internal peace, abiding joy, openness to divine gifts, a sense of purpose, trust in the Divine, and being in the sacred cycle of giving and receiving love.
If you are in the cycle of love, you are spiritually prosperous.
Spiritual practice: Assess in dollars and cents how much your virtue is worth.
Self-inquiry: What is your greatest spiritual hope? Whatever it is, reflect on your answer in terms of spiritual prosperity or poverty.
Prayer: Dear God, I pray to hope for the things that bring spiritual prosperity. Amen
