But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled—
–1 Peter 3:14
Some of the messages that I hear preached by pastors on television today quite often won’t preach in many places around the world. It’s called the “Health and Wealth Gospel,” and it essentially says that if you’re in Christ and following Him faithfully, then God will make you happy, healthy, and wealthy in your life.
The problem with this line of thinking is that both the Bible and history prove it to be false. Think of Job, who was appointed by God to experience suffering because he was such an upright man. And many of the martyrs whom we read about in the history of our faith and even today – Can you say that they aren’t being faithful enough to receive God’s blessings of health and wealth?
Now I don’t want you to get me wrong – there are abundant blessings that are promised to those who follow Christ with all of their hearts. The important thing to remember, however, is that these blessings are quite often not material. They’re spiritual. In fact, the Bible teaches in today’s passage that one the greatest blessings you or I could ever receive would be to suffer for the sake of Christ.
So don’t get caught up in the lie that if you follow Christ, things are going to turn out great for you in this life. But be content with the promises of God that if you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you’re going to receive blessings far beyond what money and health can give!
REMEMBER THAT GOD HASN’T PROMISED YOU HEALTH OR WEALTH. BUT HE HAS PROMISED YOU BLESSINGS THAT ARE MUCH GREATER THAN ANYTHING THE WORLD CAN GIVE!
