3 John 1:2 NKJV
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
The physical prosperity
the apostle John wished for Gaius was held in relationship with Gaius’ preexistent spiritual prosperity. John writes; “even as your soul prospers.” To wish physical prosperity on someone without their first attaining spiritual maturity is dangerous. Why? Because...If the soul is not first prospering in humility; wealth will make it proud.
If the soul is not first prospering in gentleness; wealth will make it rough.
If the soul is not first prospering in generosity; wealth will make it stingy.
If the soul is not first prospering in faith; wealth will make it doubt.
If the soul is not first prospering in selflessness; wealth will make it selfish.
"The prosperity of fools shall destroy them." Prov. 1:32
(Thanks to Paul Steffens)
The church can learn a lot from worldly business and marketing trends, but many times churches and church leaders end up promoting the wrong thing. One person who can talk the talk is put on a pedestal and professionalism is marketed more than Jesus himself, the style or the “brand” of the church or the good things it does is placed above Jesus.
Online, on Facebook or YouTube, we can see a lot of preachers touting the ‘prosperity gospel.’ These preachers infer that if your faith is strong enough then God will make sure you are wealthy and healthy. Where does this so-called gospel leave those who are in ill health or struggling financially, do they not have enough faith? Did Jesus not die for them as well as the well-heeled?
The message sent out here is that they are somehow lacking faith in Jesus. Even worse is the suggestion that God is telling them they are not worthy because their faith is imperfect. This also denies the fact that Jesus spent more time with the poor and ill. He taught those who sought Him and disparaged those who thought they were better than the poor who did not have the education or status of the wealthy Rabbis and scholars.
Jesus' teaching and healing was given freely and without bias. Nobody was turned away because they were too poor.
My personal thought is that this could be the reason the authorities rejected Jesus as being Messiah. They seemed to think that God would never have chosen a poor uneducated carpenter’s son to ransom their souls. In fact, did they even think their souls needed ransoming?
The solid fact is that Jesus is the Son of God who came to ransom the souls of rich and poor alike. All anyone needs to do is accept that Jesus is the author of life and offers eternal life bought by His blood, shed when He died on the cross.
Jesus is God the Son, let no-one be in any doubt!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, the precious gift of eternal life that we received from You is priceless. None of us has wealth to repay You and we are so privileged to be able to accept Your gift without fear of rejection. Help us to let all people know that Your gift is offered by grace to everyone, they only need to believe and accept. We give thanks to You and to our heavenly Father Amen
Blessings
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