Lies. . . .

I shared this on Facebook about two weeks ago, but I needed a reminder today. ;)

Jesus did not die so that I can have material pleasures in life. What does that stir up in your heart? I’ll tell you what it stirred up in my heart this morning when this thought came to me: I have been holding on to some sort of prosperity gospel for some time now. I know. Is that possible? It’s not like I consciously have said, “I believe that God will give me a Mercedes if I believe in Him.” But think about it for a moment. . . . .

Tim has been unemployed in the traditional sense for almost nine months now. The Lord has provided for us in many ways, but there has been no full-time job offers in 9 months of sending out resumes and applying at hundreds of different places. And, to be honest with you, I go through seasons of being “okay” with this. The times when I am “okay,” there are usually other prospects of a job on the horizon for me to look to. And then when I am not “okay” I am swallowed up by anxiety and grief. So, over the past few days, I have been praying and thinking about this: Why am I so freaked out about Tim’s being unemployed?

I think most people would agree that losing one’s job is one of the worst things that can happen to a family. Why is that? Well, losing a job can mean losing a home, losing a car, losing the ability to buy things when you want to, losing the ability to be comfortable, losing the ability to provide food for your family, losing some freedoms. Okay, look at that list again. . . everything on it is related to money and possessions.

And during this time of Tim’s job loss, I have prayed in earnest that the Lord would provide a job for Tim so that we can resume our lives. So that we wouldn’t have to rely on other people, etc, etc. And when the Lord hasn’t answered my prayers, I have been resentful. Wondering, “where is Your faithfulness, O God?!”

And here’s where it hit me: Jesus did not die so that you could be comfortable here on earth. He did not die so that I could have all the material possessions I want. EVEN if what I desire is good and not excessive. Yep.. . ..

Not very may of you are in the situation that Tim and I are in right now. But I want to challenge you to think about this. We can be really critical when it comes to people believing in a prosperity kind of gospel. Let’s be more critical about what we truly believe. I am horrified to think that this was in my heart for so long, truly horrified. So think about what your reaction would be if you or your husband lost your/his job today. How would you respond? What would you be anxious about? Let’s guard our hearts from consumerism and the temptation to see money as the only way that God blesses His people.

His faithfulness is in what He has already done! He died a gruesome death, raised up from the grave, and is now preparing a place for us while He intercedes on our behalf! Praise God for His goodness and unbelievable grace upon those who believe!.

I have a feeling I will be rehearsing the gospel to myself even more often for a while, and praying that my eyes will be open and aware of any of this sin that could come crawling back into my thoughts. And I don’t know what is in store for Tim and I. But I do know that my salvation is secure, and that I’m here to be used by God, and that’s all that I need to know.

Please share your thoughts! :)

~Larissa