077. 2CH 26:5. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN RELIGION AND PROSPERITY

2Ch_26:5. The Connection Between Religion and Prosperity

"As long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper."’972Ch_26:5.

The text is associated with the history of Uzziah, king of Judah, who ascended the throne when he was sixteen years of age. Distinguished for his piety and uprightness of conduct, &c., the text records the result of his piety, "As long as he sought the Lord," &c. Let us notice,

I. What is included in seeking the Lord.

1. An acknowledgment of his being and perfections.

He that cometh to God, must believe that he is, &c. Proper views of his character and attributes. Scriptural knowledge of God. "Know thou the God of thy fathers," &c.

2. Ardent solicitude for the enjoyment of his favor.

Conscious of sin, unworthiness, &c. Anxious to know and feel his love’97to be at peace with him. This solicitude will be accompanied by repentance and believing prayer.

3. A reference to him in all our ways.

"Commit thy way to the Lord," &c. "In all thy ways acknowledge him," &c. "Set the Lord always before me," &c. It includes,

4. Entire dependence upon him, and constant prayer for his blessing.

"Trust in the Lord," &c. "Be careful for nothing," &c. "If your parents being evil," &c. Notice,

II. The Prosperity God gives to those who seek him.

1. Sometimes great temporal prosperity.

Jacob, Joseph, Job, Solomon, Uzziah.

2. In reference to temporal things, always real prosperity.

That which is really and truly best both for the body and soul, for this world and that which is to come. Contentment and satisfaction.

3. He will not fail to give spiritual prosperity.

Growth in grace’97enlargement of heart’97increasing conformity to himself’97meetness for glory, &c.

4. He will assuredly bestow eternal prosperity.

The crown of life’97the white robe, the celestial mansion’97the unfading inheritance, &c. Observe,

III. The Connection between seeking the Lord and Prosperity.

"As long as he sought the Lord," &c. There is a connection,

1. As between promise and fulfilment This is clearly exhibited in the following passages. "Your souls shall live that seek the Lord." "Blessed are they who seek the Lord with their whole heart." "They that seek the Lord shall not wan any good thing."

2. There is a moral connection.

Seeking the Lord brings us nearer to him’97assimilates us to his likeness’97expands the mind’97enlarges the heart’97improves the graces’97and produces true spiritual happiness.

3. There is a connection as to continuance.

As long. No longer; it is not promised any longer, cannot enjoy it any longer, ought not to expect it any longer. "If any man draw back," &c. See Saul, king of Israel. Read David’s charge to Solomon. Then the lamentable case in the text. "But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction," &c.; ver. 16. Smitten with leprosy, and so he lived and died, ver. 19 to end.

Application

1. Have right views of prosperity. What will stand every test, and trial, and season. What includes body and soul, time and eternity. 2. True way of obtaining it. To seek it of the Lord. "His blessing maketh rich and addeth no sorrow thereunto." 3. Retain it by cleaving to the Lord; Heb_3:11, and iv. 1.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS