Prosperity in the Bible is often viewed as a blessing from God, reflecting His favor and provision. It encompasses not only material wealth but also spiritual well-being, health, and peace. The Old Testament frequently associates prosperity with obedience to God's commandments. In Deuteronomy 28:1-6 , God promises blessings for obedience: "Now if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, as well as the produce of your land and the offspring of your livestock, the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and kneading bowl will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out."

The wisdom literature, particularly the book of Proverbs, often links prosperity with righteousness, diligence, and wisdom. Proverbs 10:22 states, "The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it." This suggests that true prosperity is not merely about wealth but about a holistic blessing that includes joy and peace.

In the New Testament, the concept of prosperity is expanded to include spiritual richness. Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:19-21 , "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Here, prosperity is redefined to emphasize eternal values over temporal wealth.

The Apostle Paul also addresses prosperity, emphasizing contentment and the sufficiency of God's provision. In Philippians 4:11-13 , he writes, "I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

Envy

Envy is depicted in the Bible as a destructive and sinful emotion that can lead to discord and strife. It is often contrasted with the virtues of love and contentment. The Ten Commandments explicitly warn against coveting, which is closely related to envy. Exodus 20:17 states, "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

The book of Proverbs highlights the corrosive nature of envy. Proverbs 14:30 notes, "A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones." This suggests that envy not only affects one's spiritual health but can also have physical repercussions.

In the New Testament, envy is listed among the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21 : "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

The Apostle Paul encourages believers to live in love and harmony, which are antidotes to envy. In 1 Corinthians 13:4 , he writes, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." This passage underscores the importance of cultivating love as a means to overcome envy.

James also addresses the issue of envy, linking it to disorder and evil practices. James 3:16 states, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice." This highlights the destructive potential of envy within communities and relationships.

Overall, the Bible presents envy as a vice that believers are called to overcome through the cultivation of love, contentment, and trust in God's provision.