“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.’”
Matthew 19:23
Not everything with the word “gospel” attached is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sadly, many of our country’s churches have exported something called “gospel,” often to the poorest of the poor, equating belief in Jesus with an easy life, piles of cash, and living in luxury. “Believe this message and your pigs won’t die, your wife won’t have any miscarriages, you’ll have rings on your fingers and coats on your back” (John Piper, 2013). Piper highlights a problem with this gospel with a question: “Did Jesus give you that [car]? Well, I’ll take Jesus …. That’s idolatry. That’s not the gospel …. That’s elevating gifts above Giver.”
The health-and-wealth gospel skips over Bible passages which assure us that we will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12) and rejected (John 15:18) for trusting in the truth of the gospel.
As we step back in revulsion at the prosperity gospel, may we step forward in amazement that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
The health-and-wealth gospel skips over Bible passages which assure us that we will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12) and rejected (John 15:18) for trusting in the truth of the gospel.
As we step back in revulsion at the prosperity gospel, may we step forward in amazement that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Scripture Focus
Matthew 19:16-26
Insight
“Prosperity inebriates men, so that they take delight in their own merits.” (John Calvin, 1559)
Bible In A Year
- 1 Samuel 17
- Psalm 128
- 2 Corinthians 9-10
