Prosperity has different meanings to different people. For some, prosperity is about the accumulation of wealth in the form of money, real estate and equities.

For others, prosperity is about the accumulation of power and the achievement of status that comes with the appointment to business or government positions.

In either case, prosperity requires wisdom: the rational use of one’s resources and in the absence of such wisdom, Aeschylus was correct to speak of prosperous fools.

The problem with prosperity is that it can easily become the way you measure yourself.

If you have been fortunate enough to prosper then you see yourself as being successful with God; if you are prospering financially then all must be well with your soul.

The problem with this view is that it is not true. You were a fool because during your life you made no preparation for your soul.

Even on the very day of your death you are making plans to store your wealth; you were a fool because you will not take your money into eternity but your sins.

How foolish to make no preparation for your sins. How foolish to spend a lifetime storing up material riches while completely ignoring your soul; making no preparation whatsoever.

On the very day of your death you start planning for your future.

You failed to anticipate the last day of your life. Your riches blinded you up to your mortality. On the last day of your life you are counting your money.

You carry nothing into eternity but your sins. Your energies, your time, your priorities, your passions, and your heart, were not given to your own soul, but to the love of your money.