“and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go”

1 Kings 2:3

My first job that I ever had was at Boston Pizza. I was the person that would welcome people at the door and find them a seat. I was fourteen, and to be honest I wasn’t very good at my job, but I was proud that I had a job. The first time I got my pay check I realized that this job was not going to get me rich. There was this mentality, I worked hard, so I should be rewarded. That’s how the world works. If you are a hard worker, then you get the blessings that you deserve.

We sometimes bring this into our relationship with Jesus and that is where the danger of prosperity gospel comes in. If you believe that following Jesus will make you wealthy or get the job that you want, then there’s a good chance you are mistaken. Now why would I share 1 Kings 2:3 with you if I was going to contradict it. 1 Kings clearly tells us that if we follow the Law of Moses, or in our context the Bible, then we will prosper in whatever we do or wherever we go.

It makes me think of garden toilets. It seemed to be a thing awhile ago that people would put toilets in their garden and have flowers growing out of them. The toilet isn’t helping the flowers prosper, in some ways it made them worse off. The toilet was, in my opinion, a waste of money and energy. What does it actually mean to prosper in all that we do and wherever we go? I don’t think it means the toilety things that can take our eyes off of God, I think it’s to do what we are supposed to do and come close to Him. Following His commands draws us closer to Him, and the closer we come to Him then the more we want Him and the less we want finances or material things.

So yes, I believe that God blesses those that choose Him. I believe that some people can even be blessed financially, but what if the more important blessing is a stronger relationship with Him. What if following the things He has asked us to do leads us to want things in this world less, and want Him more. Then we are blessed, longer than just a temporary pleasure, we are blessed for eternity. Let’s not use following the Bible as a tool to get blessed with wealth, but spiritually blessed by God.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to thirst for you more and more each day. As we follow your commands Jesus, I pray that we look at our rewards as a deeper relationship with you. Holy Spirit give us strength to seek you above all things in this world. In your precious and holy name, Amen.

-Austin Christianson

Shepherding and Worship Pastor