Main Point and Overview:
There is a false gospel that exists in religious circles today called the “prosperity gospel.” It teaches that God has promised health, wealth, and prosperity for those who follow him. Bible texts are used out of context all the time, claiming that God desires to make you rich. Sadly, this is the opposite of what the Bible teaches. In fact, did you know that every disciple of Jesus was martyred for the Gospel cause (with the exception of John, who tradition says was “boiled alive” in oil). You see, the 1st century disciples were not consumed with comfort, but with a cause. That cause had costs attached to it. They gladly accepted the costs of living out their purpose in preaching the Gospel and glorifying Jesus Christ. When Jesus spoke of a “prayer that would move mountains,” he wasn’t speaking of what would make you and I comfortable. When Jesus spoke of “asking anything in his name, and you will receive it,” he surely wasn’t talking about financial wealth. On the contrary, his promises had kingdom fruitfulness attached to them. He challenged his disciples to pursue “treasure in heaven” over “treasure on earth” (Matthew 6:19-21). Right before he was to die on The Cross, he comforted his disciples with the reality that the Holy Spirit was soon coming to them to empower them to “turn the world upside down” doing “greater things” (in scope not power) than Jesus would do, and that is why he encouraged them to “ask for anything” (John 14:11-14). Remember, every time you ask God for something, his will should be your focus (Romans 12:1-2). As we delight in God, he takes his desires and our desires and makes them the same things (Psalm 37:4). Instead of seeing God as a benevolent grandfather satisfying our every sensual desire, we should see God as the King anointing us for a mission. The REAL JESUS cares about your personal impact, not your financial increase.
There is a false gospel that exists in religious circles today called the “prosperity gospel.” It teaches that God has promised health, wealth, and prosperity for those who follow him. Bible texts are used out of context all the time, claiming that God desires to make you rich. Sadly, this is the opposite of what the Bible teaches. In fact, did you know that every disciple of Jesus was martyred for the Gospel cause (with the exception of John, who tradition says was “boiled alive” in oil). You see, the 1st century disciples were not consumed with comfort, but with a cause. That cause had costs attached to it. They gladly accepted the costs of living out their purpose in preaching the Gospel and glorifying Jesus Christ. When Jesus spoke of a “prayer that would move mountains,” he wasn’t speaking of what would make you and I comfortable. When Jesus spoke of “asking anything in his name, and you will receive it,” he surely wasn’t talking about financial wealth. On the contrary, his promises had kingdom fruitfulness attached to them. He challenged his disciples to pursue “treasure in heaven” over “treasure on earth” (Matthew 6:19-21). Right before he was to die on The Cross, he comforted his disciples with the reality that the Holy Spirit was soon coming to them to empower them to “turn the world upside down” doing “greater things” (in scope not power) than Jesus would do, and that is why he encouraged them to “ask for anything” (John 14:11-14). Remember, every time you ask God for something, his will should be your focus (Romans 12:1-2). As we delight in God, he takes his desires and our desires and makes them the same things (Psalm 37:4). Instead of seeing God as a benevolent grandfather satisfying our every sensual desire, we should see God as the King anointing us for a mission. The REAL JESUS cares about your personal impact, not your financial increase.
Posted in Devotional