Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that the psalm verse cited in the question is not (in my opinion) meant as a guarantee of material provision or prosperity that is applicable to believers at all times, or in all eras or places (even if it were an honest expression of David's personal experience). It is a general statement of principle or advice as to the benefits of living in a righteous manner that has to be considered alongside other Bible passages (such as John 16:2 or John 16:33 for example) that speak of the inevitability of adverse events (such as tribulation, persecution, and death) that can befall anyone (including believers, and even just because of the very fact that they ARE believers) in a fallen and sinful world. Even David experienced prolonged persecution and other adversity that sometimes drove him to despair (as in Psalm 22, for example), and yet he also repeatedly praised God and proclaimed His faithfulness (as in Psalm 145).

Other Bible authors speak of the same theme. In Lamentations 3:1-20, Jeremiah begins by enumerating all the ways in God had afflicted him, yet then immediately afterward (Lamentations 3:21-33) praises God for His love and faithfulness.

And, of course, immeasurably greater than any temporal or material blessings to which the psalm might be construed as referring, are the eternal benefits of being in a right relationship with God, which nothing on earth can take away from a believer (John 10:27-29).

March 07 2018 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Emo Tenorio Shomer

A great question and I humbly submit for your consideration; the kingdom principle of sowing and reaping [as-what ONE does-plants = he will receive]. (Proverbs 30:5)
Consequences is a word and concept that is reviled in our current emotional feelings first driven age. (Colossians 2:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:12; 2 Thessalonians 3:10)

Consider many locations of current misery were for the most part once productive areas that not only fed their people, some even exported their extra, that happened? 

Historical Data: “If God does not exist, everything is permitted.” Fyodor Dostoevsky

Egypt: Crops from the Nile river valley fed her people and put coin in their pockets via exports. Our past US administration installed-backed a government of "The Muslin Brotherhood" today Egypt must import seventy-five percent of what they eat.

Rhodesia 1960-1979: Once considered the bread basket of Africa. Renamed Zimbabwe it is now known as the basket case of Africa. As it's people starve since all productive white farmers were driven out-killed by Black Nationalist leaders for life (Proverbs 30:2).

Haiti: The amount of aid money poured into this corrupt island would shock some; while on the other side of this same island the Dominican Republic is booming with tourism?

Venezuela: Blessed with a host of natural resources including the largest known oil reserves. It's become a South American hell hole since beginning it's downward dance with SOCIALISM. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 2:7)

Detroit Michigan USA: At the end of World War Two; the motor city held the promise of what was great and possible in America. Sixty years of leftist policies have broken this once great city; that now resembles the Japanese city of Nagasaki at the end of 1945.

Bottom Line: CONSEQUENCES much like gravity happen; your belief is not needed.

When a people freely choose not to follow the Lord and instead choose to follow the gods of this world: that rebellion will have dire consequences for them.
[remember the short Moses-Israeli's golden calf debate]. (Deuteronomy 28:15)

The Lord is not required to repair or bless any mess that one may create outside of His covenant [now HE may, being He is management]. Remember you chose the path, so your warranty-guarantee is held by and with the prince of the power of the air. 
(Jeremiah 17:6; Deuteronomy 30:1)

For those who choose to serve the Lord (Deuteronomy 30:9; Psalms 37:25)

"Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, weak men create hard times." Historically society's life cycle

In the Lord's freedom and boundless prosperity.....warrior on

March 06 2018 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Gregory Tomlinson Minister, husband,father,grandfather,vet., college graduate

iPsalms 37:25: is a statement or testimony from the psalmist, about those who seek and follow after the way of the Lord. The causes of poverty and human deprivation are many. 

Billions are donated and given yearly with only a fraction reaching those in need. When the wicked hold positions of authority and power, the people will suffer. People who follow the way of righteousness create an atmosphere were all can prosper and those who see hardship or lack of opportunity can find compassion and a hand up but we must seek after wisdom and knowledge and find counselors that will identify causes and selflessly seek remedies for others as well as themselves.

I do not defend the scripture but seek to rightly understand, the context in which it is communicated. I know that God is good and there is no evil in Him, and because of the curse from the garden we must work to prosper (or bring forth fruit by the sweat of our brow).If you do not work you will not eat is an observation of sowing and reaping. Generosity kindness and compassion can cause everyone to prosper through the sharing of knowledge and understanding.

Environmental influences determine how we process information and many times prevents people from coming to a shared understanding with the communicator. Confirmation bias can lead to unintended interpretations. For example: word choices can speak alternate intent between the lines, and send an unwritten message of confirmation or denial of alignment in the words we, or me one suggests a reached consensus and the other singular inclusiveness.

Children are the responsibility of their parents and the parent’s welfare is the responsibility of their (countryman) government. It is the responsibility of all people to help each other in times of need, it is hard to speak of specific solutions without first analyzing the cause but at the heart of most failed attempts at relief are all too often selfish people seeking power, prestige or wealth and block sound progress and long term solutions. Perhaps that is why self-identification of Gods children or the Church are put forth in collective terms instead of individual terms. There is more prosperity when everyone works towards that goal, the righteous do unto others as they would have others do unto them. I hope this helps your understanding. The wise know prosperity comes with its own traps and snares. Maranatha

March 12 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report