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the (extra-biblical) myth:   a christian should have faith that God will prosper him or her financially, because financial prosperity is a “witness” and “testimony” to others that he is a loving and good God.  what better evidence of the presence of Jesus Christ in a believer’s life than a healthy, prosperous, christian family that does “good” and gives generously to charity?

the (biblical) truth:    an authentic christian may, in fact, lack many indicia of prosperity otherwise sought after in a culture’s value system, such as financial stability, political or social power, success in a chosen field of learning, and physical attractiveness.  

a follower of christ may feel it necessary to divest from the treasured trappings of a culture, because a truly fruitful life in Christ is intentionally and daily surrendered to the Father’s perfect, loving, trustworthy will.  some believers, even those who have the utmost faith in God, may even experience a lifetime of financial austerity.  among them are those who have great influence and power through intercessory prayer in the unseen, spiritual world of God’s kingdom. 

while a christian brings his or her needs before God, trusting in His faithful provision,  that is an entirely different practice than that of ”claiming” worldly prosperity in His name.   a believer’s financial and physical needs are to be intentionally surrendered to the loving care of the Father through prayer (and perhaps even fasting).  there they are not only met, but increasingly and gently ordered, transformed, and directed by the Holy Spirit into needs and desires that bring true honor to Christ.

the christian has counted the cost of following Christ and does not regard discipleship as something to be rewarded with physical or financial comfort.   consider the poor and troubled woman who poured her costly perfume upon the feet of Jesus because He was more important to her than the value of the perfume.  from the text is unlikely that she expected eventual recovery of the value of that perfume.  though she was publicly criticized for “wasting” the resource rather than donating its proceeds to charity,  Jesus publicly honored and defended her because she had been motivated by humility and love.    such a costly sacrifice touched the heart of God more than would have a matter-of-fact dispensation of resources to the needy. 

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”  (I samuel 16:7).   

Jesus stressed this principle upon his disciples when he praised a poor widow who put a few pennies into the temple treasury.  she gave out of her need, disregarding the cost, because she was motivated by a heart of worship, love, and faith in god.

the apostle paul praised the early macedonian church – not noted for its wealth – when it gave generously from its limited resources to the struggling jerusalem church, when other, wealthier churches could provide more assistance.  today, there are millions of authentic, yet poor, weak, and “uninfluential” christians throughout the world who give richly out of their need.  many are closer to God, and much more pleasing to Him, than some affluent christians ever will be.  the generosity of an affluent person does not purchase credits in the kingdom of God; even the most violent, corrupt, and criminally-minded give generously to whom they please, in the name of love, charity, and philanthropy.

is it then error to be wealthy, successful, or influential according to the world’s standards? must the christian take a vow of poverty, or leave a high-profile career to prove his or her “faith” in God?  the short answer on all counts is “no”, for there is no biblical support for the value of self-imposed austerity when it is not so directed by the Holy Spirit.  for

it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  (Ephesians 2:8-10)

there is ample scriptural support for the principle that some believers are given a divine gift of resources to be used in Christ.  some believers may be divinely gifted in leading and governing, and placed in those positions by God for his purposes.  other scriptures counsel believers to work hard and mind their own business so as to earn the respect of non-believers and not to become dependent on anyone (I Thess 4:11).   Still others indicate that believers who follow God’s word and ways will earn the trust and respect of others; but often there is also persecution, rejection, or division on account of the person’s faith in God. The stories of Joseph, sold into slavery in Egypt but later exalted to governor; and Daniel, advisor to various kings of Persia, but persecuted for refusing to worship other gods, are examples of this type of “prosperity.” But in all cases it is error to teach and believe that financial prosperity is an entitlement for a believer who has enough “faith” to expect it.  the converse of that maxim, that a lack of financial prosperity is a sign of spiritual weakness in a christian, is also erroneous, and deeply destructive within the Body of Christ.  many tender souls have been disillusioned and disenfranchised because they do not fit a particular cultural model.  

the new testament writings, taken in context, indicate that an authentic life in Christ eschews reputation, wealth, and possessions in favor of a life that is completely captivated by the love, holiness, and virtue of Jesus Christ – whatever the cost, whatever the circumstances. Jesus instructed His followers:

“If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” (Matt: 10:38-39, NLT)

“refusing to take up your cross” means refusing to recognize and turn away from the sinful ways and values of one’s culture.  the apostle john wrote:

do not love this world, or the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.  for the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions.  these are not from the Father, but are from this world.” (I John 2: 15-16)

what many christians, particular those in the west, do not seem to grasp is that the church only has power with God in prayer and intercession only to the extent that it denies itself conformance to the world and its treasures, its values, its measures of success, happiness, and prosperity.  the question God softly poses to us every day of our earthly lives is: which do we want more?  an undivided heart with its limitless potential for intercession with the Father, or a trouble-free earthly existence for ourselves, friends, and families?  do we really want to feel good about our achievements and accomplishments, to be admired and respected for the things that the world considers important; or do we want power to prevail with God on behalf of others over the very gates of Hell?  some times these things are mutually excusive pursuits.

the apostle paul wrote:

god forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.  it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me, for I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  (Galatians 2: 20)

 

 the same paul revealed the true nature of an undivided heart when he wrote to the Phillipian church:

 “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.”   (Phillipians 4:13)

  let it be so. . .

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