For the last week I've been wrestling with some issues of spirituality and organized religion, and I'm finally ready to talk about it more openly and truly process what happened.
Last week my Sunday School class began a study on Abraham and his journey of obedience to God's commands. The discussion began to focus on the worldly wealth Abraham received for his faithfulness to God, and I brought up the fact that material wealth does not always happen when we faithfully follow Christ. Other class members said that God will "always" give us the desires of our hearts. I disagreed and the discussion grew a bit heated. I actually cried. There are deep,long-standing desires of my heart that have not come to fruition. Some I don't even know if they will, but I continue to pray daily. It's not about money or possessions, but things that are closer to my heart than that.
One member of my class continued to say that he was "always" blessed in tangible, financial ways when he did what God wanted of him. Another member suggested that if you cannot "be trusted with money" that God will not give it to you (despite my continued protests that it's not even about money.) There were others in the class who tried to agree with my point, and even suggested that choosing a life of service to God requires the sacrifice of a certain level of worldly wealth. Our pastor's wife is the teacher and began to immediately shoot that down, suggesting that there is a "certain level" we ought to expect in our lives.
It just concerns me. When did we start to expect God to be an omnipotent, life-giving Creator who serves as our own personal genie in the lamp? When did the focus change from "God, what can I do to bring honor to you today" to "God, this is what I want and I expect it because I'm asking you for it today?" I know that we are told we should take everything to God, and nothing is off-limits in our talks with Him. But I don't think the prosperity and blessings are necessarily of this world, or related to finances at all.
I know plenty of Christian folks who struggle to get by each month. They stretch their budgets to the limit, and still manage to be faithful in ways I can't even begin to reach. Are they somehow less worthy of the blessings of God because they don't have worldly wealth? What about all the mind-bogglingly rich non-believers?
And what about other desires? To have children, to see loved ones saved, that loved ones not succumb to illness or accident? Those deep, honest desires of the heart of a Christian man or woman... are they less sincere than the desire to make lots of money or live in a big house?
The whole incident sent me into an emotional tailspin for a couple of days. It sincerely took me until Tuesday to truly compose myself again and get on about things that need to be done. This morning when getting ready for the day, I thought "do you really want to deal with that aftermath today? On top of the Mother's Day goings-on (which I understand, but right now it tears my heart in pieces... particularly being away from my own Mom today)" In the end, I had quiet time alone and went about my own path. It makes me wonder if that is really what they believe. It adds to the hesitation I feel when I hear someone say something disparaging about the people who attend the other service (we have two, an early contemporary service and a later traditional one) or suggest one is more holy than the other, or more on fire for the Lord than the other. And these are adults! People allegedly grown, with children and grandchildren of their own... it makes me so sad to see division. It makes me wonder if that's really where I want my own future child(ren) to learn about God. It makes me wonder if I'm expecting too much. If maybe out here in such a rural place this is all the choice I have - picking which is the easiest to stand.
It has just been a mentally and emotionally stressful time, and my head hurts thinking about it. If anyone has a thought, I would love to hear it. I've mulled it over in my own head until it is not making sense any more.
Comments (5)
wow! for that person to suggest that material gain is some indication of God's blessing or mark of approval is pretty bold! I wonder about all those in the Bible who had nothing~ including Christ Himself. or the dozens of heroes of faith we read about who lived hand to mouth, and struggled financially their whole lives. (?)
I once read a commentary on the verse in Ps. that says, "delight yourself in the Lord and He'll give you the desires of your heart..." that word delight actually means to be pliable~ in other words, as we yield and conform to what GOD wants we DO get the desires of our heart because His desires have become our desires!!
so many christians get it all wrong~ sitting around trying to muster up some kind of "delight" in their souls so then the Lord will give them that raise they've been wanting. or that new house, etc. but as you said, that's making God a genie in a bottle.
who knows why some prosper and other's don't. why some can have tons of kids and others can't have one. why some have perfect health and other's constant struggles. all I know is that God's word says it rains on the just and the unjust~ life isn't for us to figure out... if it were so easy as "obey God and you'll get what you want".. where would we need any faith!
and that's the foundation of our Christianity~ FAITH!!! and the biggest testing of our faith comes about, not when everything is as we want it, but when it's not!! it is that trust in God when everything else is falling apart that gives hope. joy. peace. and when we continue to obey and serve and trust and cling~ THAT is our calling card to the world! what sets us apart. because we are anchored in a God that never changes - though circumstances often do!
Shayne and I have often talked too how that our view of "blessings" are so much different than the worlds~ ~ we have known many very wealthy people who would give all they had for a happy marriage, or a good relationship w/ their kids, and peace in their hearts. Yes! when they say there's some things money can't buy - - they are very right!! :)
I understand your frustration~ thanks for sharing your heart here. It's good for us all to be reminded of what TRUE riches are!! :)
blessings to you~ amber.
I wrote my comment through many interruptions~ :) just wanted to clarify that I don't think having money is bad. I know some people who think that as well.. like you can't be spiritual if you have money! :)
But to believe we'll have money if we obey God is just a false teaching of Scripture, in my opinion. :)
Oh I totally agree, having money is certainly not bad and there are lots of Christian folks who have been blessed beyond my imagination in that way. A lot of those people give amounts to the church that exceed what John and I bring home in a year, too. I guess I always figured if you have more, you can give more. Sacrificial giving all depends on where you are (if that makes sense.)
And thanks for responding. You're bringing up points I hadn't considered yet, which is what I need to think and pray hard about.
@Kelly_O78 - If what they were trying to tell you is true, what was Paul's
problem? He was the one the Gospel was fully revealed to and what was
his blessings? Prison and beheaded. Maybe he wasn't faithful enuff.
Ya right.