There's a new wave of preaching in our modern times. An idea that God gives us our best now. That only good things will happen to those who believe. That if you seek God first, everything we could want will be added on to us. This of course is a twist of Scripture. The verse talks about basic needs, not earthly desires. Not only is it silly, but an outright lie. After all, Jesus talks against this very idea several times.
First we're told to give up earthly treasures and store up heavenly ones. Christ then flat out tells us that since he is hated, so we shall be. We're told the pursuit of wealth is the beginning of all manners of sin. We're told it's easier to do impossible things, than make it to heaven hording material possessions.
Yet now Christians are told that God wants the best material possessions for us. The best earthly pleasures. That when God wants the "best" for us, He means what we think is best. I've been told that living the way God wants us is drinking Starbucks, driving a Volkswagen and owning an iPhone. Because those are the best for their products. (which, not really, I do say) This isn't hyperbole, exaggeration or anything of that sort. This is a Christian director at a camp I worked at telling me.
While enjoying earthly pleasures isn't sin itself and there is some truth that taking pleasure in God's creation and what He allowed us to create is honoring, we cannot make it our life's goal. Jesus needed a fish to pay his taxes. The disciples are told they would only own the clothing they wore and the staff they carried. The poor and needing were often told to be content with what they had, not to seek more. A very common theme was on this exactly? So why are so many churches now saying the exact opposite?
Well, if you want to lie to yourself and others, you need big congregations. If you tell people following God gets them stuff they want, they're going to come to the church. You make others believe you are doing what God wants. And eventually you begin believing it, yourself. And this is why we have these warnings. The Bible talks about these churches. About a time coming after when people go to church to hear pleasing things and not Biblical truth. When the desire of the church becomes identical to the desire of the world. James goes as far to even say that being friends with the world makes us God's enemy.
This clearly means we need to take heed.
I'd love to be blessed on this earth. And some people are indeed allowed the riches of the world. After all, just as God calls people to travel with only their clothes, He tells them that there will be believers who will provide for them while they are visiting. So some believers will be called to have! This is nice too. But this provision is to serve God by serving others. Not to horde. Not to have a mass amount of savings. But to bless others. To serve others. To show them the love of God, so He may be glorified.
To know which you are, you need to be walking close to God. To know His plan for you. This is the only way to know if you are seeking God's will or earthly pleasures.
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