Genie in a Bottle

In the church you currently attend have you ever heard the minister say that God will reward your faithfulness to Him with good health and prosperity? Are you sure that the above is true?

The above mantra does a great job of combining this Christian message with the American dream, which makes it quite believable as supposed truth. Unfortunately, it puts the emphasis on what the Almighty can do for us rather than who our all-knowing Heavenly Father is.

God is not your magical genie in a bottle that obeys your every desire. In reality, we should be the obedient children available to do whatever God desires of us.

In Luke 15:11-32, we read the Parable of the Lost (Prodigal) Son, which can be seen as a tale on parenting. A father’s younger son has left home with his inheritance, and very soon has squandered it all on wild living.

The young man eventually returns home completely impoverished. The father is so overjoyed to have his lost child back that he spares no expenses for a welcome home celebration. The older son is quite angry about the whole situation. He feels his faithfulness to his father has been ignored.

Who do you relate to in the above story? Are you happy when others prosper? Are you the type of person that gets angry when the Heavenly Father makes a decision (in His wisdom) to abundantly bless someone you consider you inferior (in any way) instead of you?

When our mind is set on attaining wealth or prestige (of any kind), we forget to be thankful for what we already have, and instead are in the “I got to have that” mindset. (I Timothy 6:5-10, Mark 10:25, Ephesians 1:3).

The Christian life can be joyful, but also may be marked at times by suffering and denial. Jesus never promised that a servant faithful to Him would live easily (and prosperous).

Your true wealth (not of a temporary nature) can’t be acquired with any means of currency. It includes such eternal things as genuine love, peace of mind, the forgiveness of sins, and the assurance of a home in Heaven (one day).

There are some things that you can do to not get caught up in the excitement of “the gospel of health and wealth.”

Watch out for false teachers that try to convince you that Jesus alone is not the true source of your happiness. (Galatians 1:6-8) Be careful not to allow anything else in your life to become an idol, and take the place that rightfully belongs to the Heavenly Father. (Matthew 6:24)

This could include a job, a pet, people, a hobby, or material objects. If God has made it possible for you to have luxuries, make sure to give back to organizations that honor Him.

Always check your motivations as they relate to God. Are you serving Him for the blessings, or because you truly love Him? Like a perceptive parent (or spouse), He knows the difference.

When it comes to prosperity, Proverbs 30:7-9 (NLT) is the final word on that topic. Where do you stand in relations to this verse? O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.

For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.

*Inspired by the sermon “The Mythbuster Series, Installment Six: The Prosperity Myth,” Pastor Dave Jansen, June 26, 2016, CenterPoint Church Gahanna, Gahanna, OH