The Bible has several instances of both financially successful and financially impoverished people. In this context, “blessedness” is a key phrase. This term serves as an introduction to the concept of a general description of a favor—both material and spiritual—that God bestows onto an individual. In the Bible, “blessed” frequently refers to material blessings, such as those pertaining to land, cattle, trade, and productivity (see, for instance, Genesis 13:2 and Abraham).
Spiritual blessing
However, the primary focus of Biblical blessing is on an individual’s relationship with God. A person who enjoys God’s protection, holy delight, and grace is primarily considered blessed (cf. Genesis 12:2-3). When we are adopted as God’s children by faith in Jesus Christ, we are incredibly blessed (Ephesians 1:3–14). God offers treasures in heaven; the inheritance promised to a loyal believer is spiritual, future, and eternal (Luke 18:22). Nevertheless, despite all the benefits mentioned in the Bible, God’s joy and favor for the Christian do not imply that He will materially enrich every devoted person.
Financial poverty
Some, like Jeremiah, Paul, and Jesus, were impoverished financially as a result of their loyalty to God. All kinds of individuals experience wealth and poverty, and Jesus tells us that both the just and the unjust receive rain from God (Matthew 5:45). God, in His providential will and sovereign good pleasure, allows some people to inherit or create enormous wealth, while others are left without, choose to forgo, waste, or are unable to create vast wealth (1 Samuel 2:7).
Be content
Rather than teaching us to pursue prosperity, the Bible teaches us to be content and to find our contentment in God through Jesus Christ. Paul speaks about his trials and hardships in the book of Philippians, and towards the end he says that he has learned to be content whatever the circumstances. He writes in Philippians 4:11-12, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Contentment is being pleased with what the Giver of every perfect gift has given you, and ultimately finding pleasure in Him alone. If we are content, then we are really prosperous.
Health and wealth gospel
Too often, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is distorted into what many call a “Health and Wealth Gospel,” which is no gospel at all. Proponents of such a teaching believe that if a person has enough “faith”, then they will experience healing or great financial blessing. Unfortunately, this teaching is grossly misleading and has resulted in many turning their backs on Christ and His church. If God intended for people to be prosperous when they have faith in Christ, why do we read of so much affliction, persecution, scorn, and trials being experienced by the Apostles? Jesus addresses financial wealth multiple times in the Gospels and on so many occasions, He warns against a heart that pursues money. We cannot “serve two masters” – God and money (Matthew 6:24). We will love one and hate the other. Instead, Jesus says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). “Seek first the kingdom of heaven and all these things (food and clothing) will be added to you as well” (Matthew 6:35).
Warning about pursuing or expecting prosperity
1 Timothy 6:6-11 gives us a stern warning about pursuing or expecting prosperity. “Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” Jesus says this in Luke 12:15, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
How did Jesus view His prosperous state?
When considering whether or not God has promised wealth, we should start by considering Jesus’ perspective on His prosperous situation. According to Philippians 2, Jesus made Himself nothing rather than viewing equality with God as something to be attained. Rather than coming forth in all His splendor and ascending to the position of master, He adopted the very nature of a servant. He went to poverty in order to make us wealthy in spiritual blessings. How could we ever think that a discipleship path would veer off from the one that Jesus took? God would prefer it if we set our sights on Him and made Him our delight, treasure, and goal.
Our hearts and prayers should always be focused on strengthening our [connection with Jesus] and our unwavering dedication to God, even though it is possible that God will extend the spiritual rewards into temporal and earthly material blessings. The Christian life is the real prosperous life, regardless of wealth.
