A Life in Exile

Does Jesus promise us riches in this world? If you listen to some, the answer would be yes. The prosperity preachers in the West have no idea the devastation they are causing in the Church, as their message is broadcast and spread throughout the world. People, already suffering under the weight of poverty, are lured to Christ, not by the message of an abundant life despite circumstances but by abundant riches, if they will just follow and give. This is not the true gospel.

The Prosperity Gospel is nothing new.

Since the earliest of days, religion has been used for material gain. Shrines erected to the gods were used as collection points for those serving the deity of choice. Something that set the Israelites apart from the nations around them was how God gave very specific instructions on how the priests and Levites were to be provided for by the community. There was no need to lure anyone with the promise of wealth—their needs were already met through the sacrifices and offerings.

By the time of Christ and the birth of the Church, the Jews had been influenced by the pagan nations, and there was a belief that blessing equaled material wealth or prosperity. This would find its way into the Church and lead to a distortion of the teaching of Christ among the Gentiles. So, there was a temptation on both sides—from poor Jewish teaching and pagan religions—that following Jesus equaled prosperity. Paul was adamant about this evil in his letter to Timothy.

If anyone teaches false doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain. (1 Timothy 6:3-5 CSB)

The true gain.

Jesus, himself, told us: “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance” (John 10:10). I think even his disciples would testify that abundance did not equal material wealth. Though they received help for their ministry, they were far from living a life of luxury. More often than not, they slept outside and were denied soft beds and nutritious meals. Though Paul wrote that the church should provide for the one who preaches, he himself was a self-supported evangelist and often relied on others for his needs.

What does it mean to have an abundant life in Christ? Paul’s letter explains it.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. (1 Timothy 6:6-8)

An abundant life is first and foremost life in Christ. This is the blessing of being chosen by him, set apart unto God by faith in Christ. Such a life leads to godliness, Christ-likeness, set-apartness. In Christ, we are set apart from the world and its evil ways in order to live a life that gives glory to God. It’s the branch abiding in the vine life. Leaning into Christ we lean away from the world. That’s godliness.

Yet, it’s not just godliness—it’s godliness with contentment. Contentment is reflected in the ability to rest and be satisfied with your state of being. It’s a release from striving. Striving is what the world wants from you. Strive to be all that you can be. Strive to climb the ladder of success. Strive to lose weight, make more money, live like your favorite influencer. In Christ, strife loses, and contentment reigns, because Christ has done the work for us. He’s gained the victory so we don’t have to strive.

When we live in Christ, we know that this world is not our home. There is a better world to come. This world is just a preparation ground for the great reunion. Because of that assurance, we can rest in the daily bread, the daily needs that he provides.

Self-inflicted wounds.

When we fail to remember this great truth, we fall prey to one of the greatest temptations this world has to offer—the ol’ the-more-the-better scheme. Again, nothing new about this one. Paul writes:

But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

Do we recognize the fact that most of our sins, our dumb attempts at living by the world’s standards, are of our own making? They are clearly self-inflicted wounds for which we can blame no one but ourselves. Oh, yes, the devil is at work and others are right there with him seeking to draw us in, but it’s on us in the end. We’re the ones who make the choice to watch that influencer, infomercial, online ad. When someone tells you they have something to offer for nothing, that should be a clue that it’s a lie.

Underneath all the glitter and misdirection is a love of money, first, for the person who’s pushing the scheme, and second, for the one who gives in to it. That love will inevitably, though maybe slowly and without our realizing it at first, lead us away from the faith. What did Jesus have against the church of Ephesus? They had forsaken their first love (Rev. 2:4).

Are you content in Christ or busy striving after the things of this world? What self-inflicted wounds are you trying to cover up with physical or spiritual clothing? Follow Jesus and be content in him alone. That is the combination that brings great gain.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Wednesday Wisdom, click HERE, or check out these other posts on rest in Christ: Learning from the Past: Two, Relief, Vine Life: 1 – The Vine.