At one time or another you may have heard a preacher on TV saying something like, “Come to Jesus and He will give you health, wealth and happiness.” They are trying to sell people on Christianity so they will have a better life (some of these pastors are very wealthy and they live “the good life” – for now), selling this brand of Christianity.
When you become a Christian you will be better off in one respect, you will have Jesus Christ with you from the moment of your salvation through eternity. This is awesome! Christians should live victorious in Christ. But the Bible does not teach that every Christian will have great health, wealth and happiness all of their days on earth. Some of the strongest Christians I know are people who have debilitating diseases. I know other devout Christians who are “dirt poor.” Still others who have suffered terrible losses of family members dying, some have even lost young children. Where is the health, wealth and happiness for these strong Christians?
If I ever get to meet a prosperity preacher in person I’m going to ask them one question, “What do you do with the other half of your Bible?” I’m serious, what do they do with it? Do they skip over it completely? Or do they read it erroneously through the prosperity gospel lens? I’d really love to hear their explanation on that.
All throughout the gospels you read about Jesus not having a place to lay His head. He didn’t live in a mansion. Jesus borrowed a donkey from someone when He rode into Jerusalem on His triumphal entry before He suffered and died on the cross. Jesus walked throughout His ministry (and probably His whole life on earth).
And Jesus wasn’t happy about dying on the cross for guilty sinners. He asked God to take the cup away from Him. Where was his happiness while the Roman soldiers viciously beat him beyond recognition? Where was His happiness while he hung naked on the cross, which was a type of death reserved for the worst of criminals and was a very painful way to die?
You can also look at the apostle Paul. Where was his health, wealth and happiness brand of Christianity? In 2 Corinthians 11:24-25 Paul tells us that he was whipped with a lash 39 times on 5 different occasions, three times he was beaten with rods, once he was stoned (they thought they’d killed him and left him for dead), and he was shipwrecked three times. Plus, the Bible mentions that the apostle Paul made tents for a living while he was out evangelizing.
The apostle Paul knew who his savior was and he counted it a blessing that God thought he was worthy enough to suffer for Christ. This is the true Gospel. Once you realize why Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that you no longer will receive the just punishment for eternity that you deserve, you are truly grateful. You will willingly serve Jesus for the rest of your life because you have been born again. You no longer desire the things of the world. Jesus now resides in you through the Holy Spirit. You will never be the same because you came to Jesus for the right reason.
Have you repented of your sins and put your faith in Jesus to save you? Or are coming to Jesus for health, wealth and happiness? Please make the right choice today. Turn away from your sins and turn toward Jesus. Then live your life victorious through Christ who saved you; no matter what happens from here on out, good or bad, rich or poor, bad health or great health. Rejoice in your Lord Jesus Christ!