The Real Meaning of Prosperity

Prosperity—fame and fortune, luxury? Social media often focuses heavily on wealth—people traveling all over the world, having incredible experiences, owning huge homes, fancy cars, and wearing brand-name clothing. While God does allow for material prosperity, as Catholics, we know it’s not the way to heaven. In fact, according to Scripture, very few of the rich make it to heaven. Jesus said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God... It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:23, 25).

Prosperity doesn’t come solely with great blessings. In the book of Job, for example, we meet a man who was very blessed by God and is described as “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1). He had 10 children, thousands of animals, and many servants—the epitome of what we often think a blessed life should look like. God poured blessings over Job and pointed out the faithfulness of His servant to Satan: “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on earth?” (Job 1:8). But Satan responded, "Take all of it away, and he will curse You to Your face." God’s response was to allow Job to be tested. This has always raised the challenging question: “Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?”

This story resonated with me for years, and I’ve been curious to find the answer, especially because of the cross my husband and I have carried. We’ve been blessed with a home, jobs, and everything we need, but not long after marriage, we discovered that having children would be a challenge for us. We’ve experienced our fair share of suffering through this—judgment from others, as well as trials as a couple and individually. We sought help from a Catholic specialist, but despite the treatments, medications, and surgeries, the results have been difficult to hear.

I had many questions for God—wondering if my faith was strong enough for Him to heal me. I saw miracles happening around me and would ask when He would allow our miracle. I thought we had been faithful, so this experience tested me greatly. I knew a life following Christ was never easy, but when faced with the actual test, you never truly anticipate how painful it can be.

My mindset really began to shift as I read Scripture, studied the saints, and sought counsel from priests, religious sisters, and communities like Springs in the Desert and the Fruitful Hollow. When I sought truth, it solidified my belief that I was meant for much more than this present suffering. So I began to truly take advantage of this time of waiting and discovered who I was, what my strengths were, and what my purpose was.

What God calls us to is much deeper and greater than wealth and blessings. The greatest thing I learned is that prosperity is found through the cross, not apart from it. As Fulton Sheen says, “Unless there is a Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday.” We desire an easy life, but those who want to follow Christ must understand that real transformation happens through suffering. What we see with our eyes as pain, misfortune, or suffering is, in the reality of Christ, filled with glory. I don’t think I even knew what real prosperity was supposed to look like until I was faced with my own cross. I finally understood what St. Augustine meant when he said, “In my deepest wounds, I saw Your Glory, and it dazzled me.” In our deepest pain and sorrow, there is great opportunity not only to be healed—interiorly and sometimes physically—but also to heal others in Christ and live life with greater purpose and meaning. We are called to be like Jesus and follow the path He took, the greatest example of prosperity.

God allows us to have things on earth, just as He rewarded Job for his faithfulness by answering his prayers, restoring his fortunes, and even doubling them. In Job’s story, going through the test was never about suffering for the sake of suffering—there is always meaning behind it. The God revealed in the Old Testament is the same loving Father; He allows what will bring the greatest glory. Do we remember who else was blameless and upright in the New Testament? Jesus.

We all need to remember that, as His children, the prosperity of this world is incomparable to the glory of God in heaven. We may not always understand why things happen as they do in this world. But true prosperity is about being able to say, just as Job did after everything was taken away, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).


question to ponder

How does seeing prosperity as including suffering change your view of what a prosperous life looks like?




Coaching Testimonial:

“Roxsan is definitely a beautiful soul to walk with on my own journey to personal discovery and wholeness. Over the past several months, she has helped me identify areas in my life that require stretching, while gently challenging me to reflect on the barriers to growth and healing. Roxsan’s approach is inspiring me to communicate not only with myself but also with my family as we navigate through life together, making tough decisions and moving towards a healthier mindset and lifestyle. I’m so grateful for her work, and I know so many others will benefit because of her commitment to honor each person’s identity as a child of God.”

Roxsan de Vera

Roxsan de Vera is the owner and founder of Meek & Humble. She is also an ICF-trained Life Coach through the Professional Christian Coaching Institute and a graduate of Encounter School of Ministries. Her coaching work began with helping entrepreneurs, professionals and lay leaders. As a coach, her passion is to help others toward an abundant life with God. What she offers is a reflection of her journey with Christ and her vision to see people fully alive and bear fruit unimaginable.

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