Are Christians with enough faith promised prosperity? We all have questions and you have asked a great one! This is a place where you can find many answers about God and who He is. Find out out who God is by reading this article. And now let’s dig in and answer your question!
Are Christians with Enough Faith Promised Prosperity?
You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you.
1 Corinthians 4:8
Christ, through Paul, promised enduring Christians that they will reign with Him: “If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us (2 Timothy 2:12).” But that promise is for a future reign. During this church age, the experience of the apostles is common for committed Christians:
For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men….To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless.
1 Corinthians 4:9, 11
Paul aims his teaching at those in this church who live an extravagant social lifestyle. To correct this attitude, Paul points to the fate of the apostles.
I watched a familiar talk show with a famous preacher on the show as a guest. He had dressed in luxurious clothes along with expensive jewelry. Even the unbelieving host asked the preacher how he could justify living the way he does. The preacher responded, saying, “Who praises God, the rich or the poor”–which, of course, drew a laugh from the host and his audience.
Many times, prosperity preachers say that any sick or poor Christian doesn’t have enough faith.
- But James tells us that friendship with the world is hostility toward God (James 4:4)?
- In Matthew, Jesus says: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth (Matthew 6:24).”
- Paul wrote, “Trophimus I left sick at Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20.”
- The Rich Young Ruler walked away from Jesus’ call to follow Him, “Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property (Mark 10:21).” Can you imagine walking away from treasure in heaven to keep what we have in this world.
As Johnny Cash sang in his version of the song “Hurt”, “You can Have it All, My Empire of Dirt.”
Jesus Himself suffered a cruel death on the cross for our sake. Should we live in luxury when He suffered and died for us: Jesus said, “A pupil is not above his teacher (Luke 6:40).”
Paul restates the plight of the apostles: “We are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor (1 Corinthians 4:10).”
God does not Promise health and Prosperity to all.
So, back to Paul’s message in verse eight. Paul points out that the time to rule with Christ has not come. The apostles (Jesus’ twelve disciples) all suffered martyrs’ deaths except the Apostle John. But he suffered other trials, including exile. If your goal as a Christian is to live luxuriously in this age, you’re out of step with the other followers of Christ. Paul wishes it were the time for those good things, but he chastises the members of the Church who strive to rule now. God doesn’t promise prosperity and health to all.
Thank you for reading this article. If you want to learn more about having a relationship with God through His Son Jesus, we invite you to watch the “Great News for You” video on this page. God loves you and we care!
