Prosperity Theology

589 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:23,24

“Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!

Did you note the difference between the first statement of Jesus and second? In the first He says it's difficult for those who HAVE RICHES and in the second he says it's difficult for those who TRUST IN RICHES.

Both statements are true of course. Wealth can distract us from what matters for our spiritual well-being, but woe to those who allow the distraction of wealth to lead to absolute trust in wealth.

The disciples were “astonished “ (the Greek Word means “stupefied”) at His remark. Why? Because the religious thinking of the day was that wealth was connected with the favor of God, and Jesus remarks were putting that notion to rest! He clarified His remark by saying in essence, if this is your theology, if you are trusting in this line of thinking, you are barking up the wrong tree.

Are we all that far from the same line of thinking today? I'm amazed how often I associate my own material blessings with God's favor, or how quick we are to use the size of the offering to gauge God's approval, or how easily people are duped into following after the theology of prosperity gospel.

Father, guard my heart against any semblance of trust in riches. True blessing is not tied to the size of my wallet, but rather what You do to the size of my heart.