Do you believe that God wants to do good to you? Do you know that God is for you and not against you if you are His child? (I know you know it but do you really believe it?)

Those of us who are against the prosperity gospel, which I am one, can swing the pendulum so far to the other side and become poverty-gospel believers. This gospel says that poorer and the more you suffer in general, the more spiritual you are. Thus, their hope lies in the frugal lifestyle and the sacrifice they make for the kingdom of God. But this too is an idolatry and is not pleasing to God because its hope does not lie in Christ but in the sacrifice they make for Christ. The pharisees made this mistake…

Believing the true gospel means that God is for us and not against us. That He will do good to us for our sake and that He will bless us and show favor to us.

11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. 12 For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:11-12)

God IS for you and He IS good to you! There is nothing wrong with asking for blessings and favor from the Lord! But But you see the danger in this, don’t you? What is this “blessing” that the psalmist is singing of? What is this “favor?” Is it really more wealth and health? Is it that we become successful at everything we touch? That, certainly is a blessing and we pray for that. But that cannot ultimately be what we are seeking for. What distinguishes us from unbelievers is that what we ultimately seek for is different from them. Unbelievers use God to seek for their gods (money, comfort, status, etc). Believers seek for God Himself. 

7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. (Psalm 4:7 ESV)

Don’t sell yourself short by seeking for less than God. Seek His gifts but never more than to seek Himself.

PH