We have just ended our Chinese New Year celebrations few day ago in Malaysia. It's an important festival for those who celebrate it, it signifies a new beginning, a new start and new possibilities.

The streets glow with lanterns, families reunite over steaming dishes, and firecrackers announce the arrival of a fresh start. But if there’s one thing everyone shares during this season, it’s the wishes.

“Heng! Ong! Huat!”

It’s what we say as we exchange mandarin oranges and ang pows. It’s what businesses print on banners, hoping for financial breakthroughs. It’s what we whisper to ourselves—praying that the new year brings luck, prosperity, success.

Because let’s be honest—who doesn’t want that?

Who doesn’t want a great year?
Who doesn’t want to be successful—to achieve their goals, have financial security, and thrive?

But here’s a hard truth:

Prosperity is not about luck.

People chase the right timing, the right connections, the right circumstances. But deep down, we know real, lasting success—prosperity that sticks—isn’t about luck.

And that’s exactly what hit me the other day in the car.

The True Source of Prosperity and Success

We were driving home, and my mind was racing.

A homeschool launch. Business growth plans. Uncertainty ahead.

While listening to the popular chinese new year songs in the car, I said "Everyone wants to be prosperous and successful, that is what most people wish during Chinese New Year.”

Without hesitation, my husband replied, “You know, there’s only one guaranteed way to be prosperous and successful.”

Curious, I glanced over. “And what’s that?”

He smiled and quoted Joshua 1:7-8:

"Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

I sat with those words for a moment.

The to-do list was still waiting. The uncertainty hadn’t disappeared. But something shifted.

Because here’s the truth:

✅ Prosperity and success aren’t about chasing luck or the perfect opportunity.
✅ They are a result of obedience—following God’s ways, staying rooted in His Word, and walking in wisdom.

Joshua 1:7-8 lays it out clearly:
✔ Be strong and courageous.
✔ Stay rooted in God’s Word.
✔ Meditate on it day and night.
✔ Do what it says.
✔ And THEN—you will be prosperous and successful.

Nowhere in this passage does it say prosperity comes from luck, wealth, or status.

True success is a byproduct of faithfulness to God’s ways.

And the more I thought about it, the more I realized:

We spend so much energy chasing success, when in reality, success follows obedience.

That’s the difference between worldly success—fleeting, unstable, built on temporary wins—and biblical success, which is rooted in something unshakable.

So as we step into this year, let’s ask ourselves:

👉 Are we chasing prosperity?
👉 Or are we chasing God, knowing that when we do, prosperity and success will follow?

Because the answer to a successful year isn’t found in luck.

It’s found in Him.

The Biblical Meaning of Prosperity and Success

We’ve been conditioned to define success as:
📌 More money.
📌 Higher status.
📌 Bigger achievements.

And while financial blessings are great (yes, God provides!), the prosperity in Joshua 1:7-8 is far deeper.

Let’s go back to the original Hebrew.

What Does "Prosper" Actually Mean?

In English, prosperity = money.

But in Hebrew, the word used in Joshua 1:7-8 is tsalach (צָלַח), which means:
✅ To push forward
✅ To break out
✅ To succeed in reaching a goal

Notice something?

None of these definitions are strictly about money.

Instead, tsalach is about progress—moving forward in the direction God has set for you, breaking through obstacles, and thriving in every area of life.

💡 Prosperity is not about what you have, but about whether you’re moving in God’s purpose for you.

What Does "Success" Actually Mean?

The Hebrew word for "success" is sakal (שָׂכַל), which means:
✅ To be prudent
✅ To act with insight
✅ To understand what is good

This changes everything.

Biblical success isn’t about hitting goals—it’s about making wise decisions, walking in God’s wisdom, and aligning your actions with His principles.

You can have all the wealth in the world, but if you lack wisdom, is that really success?

💡 True success isn’t about climbing higher. It’s about knowing which path to take.

The Pathway to Prosperity and Success

Joshua 1:7-8 lays out three key principles:

1. Be Strong and Courageous

Following God isn’t easy.

Maybe this year, you're stepping into a new season—starting a business, making a career move, or breaking free from toxic habits.

And that’s scary.

That’s why Joshua 1:7 starts with:

“Be strong and very courageous.”

Because fear is the biggest enemy of success—not failure, not bad luck, not lack of resources.

🚀 God doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called.

So whatever God is leading you to do this year—do it boldly.

2. Meditate on God’s Word Day and Night

Let’s be honest:

We don’t lack information. We lack focus.

Social media, news, entertainment—our minds are flooded with everything except God’s truth.

Joshua 1:8 says:

“Meditate on it day and night.”

Because success comes from being constantly grounded in God’s wisdom.

💡 What are you filling your mind with daily?

Make it a habit to:
✅ Start your morning with Scripture, not social media.
✅ Speak God’s promises over your life.
✅ Use commute time for sermons or worship.

Success starts with renewing your mind.

3. Obedience to God’s Commands

True, lasting prosperity comes to those who live with integrity.

👉 A business built on dishonesty won’t last.
👉 A relationship built on lies will eventually crumble.
👉 A career built on selfish ambition will leave you empty.

God blesses those who walk in His ways.

Success is not about shortcuts—it’s about obedience.

Conclusion: True Prosperity and Success for the New Year

So here’s the truth:

🚫 Success isn’t about luck.
🚫 Prosperity isn’t about just making money.

✅ True prosperity comes from walking in God’s purpose.
✅ True success comes from aligning with His wisdom.

So as you wish your friends and family “Heng! Ong! Huat!” this Chinese New Year…

💡 Remember: The greatest prosperity doesn’t come from luck. It comes from a life fully surrendered to God.

🔥 What’s one area of your life where you need to trust God more this year?
🔥 Which principle from Joshua 1:7-8 speaks to you the most?

Drop a comment. Let’s start this year walking in true prosperity. 🚀