Bacon, Eggs and God

Prosper

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

John used this common phrase in his sending of best wishes and blessings to Gaius. Some have wrongly taken this as a guarantee of perpetual wealth and perfect health for the Christian.

The prayer, although it speaks about temporal prosperity, contains a very important distinctive; that prosperity and health must be in proportion to the prosperity of the soul. It clearly shows us the relevance of spiritual things above all temporal things. The spiritual state of the soul is the proper order of prayer and the proper standard of desire for health and prosperity.

If all Christians would live in the spirit of this prayer, every interest in the cause of Christ would prosper. True godliness seeks the prosperity of the soul above all things; hence, we must understand that the injury of riches is in the motive for which we desire them. If for their own sake we desire them, for the purpose of accumulation, then this is mammon worship. If we desire them for the power, or for the gratification which they afford us, then this is mere selfishness. If it is to do good, then this is benevolence.

When we wish for others to have prosperity and health, the limit, as thy soul prospereth, is necessary for their well-being. If we wish for worldly prosperity to one whom is struggling in their faith, in actuality, we are wishing for something that will harden their heart and turn their thoughts away from God. The prosperity and health of a truly righteous person, whose faith is prosperous, will enable them to do, and in doing good to others, do good to themselves.

Prosperity and health are absolutely promised as the ultimate destiny of all believers. Yet, for the present time, God may, according to omniscient plan, use a lack of material prosperity and physical health to promote greater prosperity and health in the scale of eternity.

Asking about or showing a concern for others’ health in our greetings, whether it be in person or in written correspondence, is a cultural norm. We often say, “How are you?” when greeting someone, or write in a letter, “I trust this finds you in good health.”

John is conveying a greeting that could be likened to what we say during the holiday season. For example, we might say, “I wish you a Merry Christmas,” even though in reality, we realize such will not be true for everyone. Still, it is our desire, our deepest wish that they do have a Merry Christmas. Like John’s greeting to Gaius, it is a general statement, a courtesy, and not necessarily a factual reality.

Unfortunately, the health and wealth gurus and televangelists have misapplied the Scriptures to promote their personal and errant ministries. These swindlers persuade misguided Christians they should never be sick and that God wants to immediately heal them. This results in long lines of those with infirmities who desire healing, while the unscrupulous charlatan lines his or her pockets with the cash offerings given by those who seek healing. God is omnipotent and can heal any infirmity, but he does so in his time, not ours.

Paul reminds us about the reasons for our ailments. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

We are to trust in Jesus Christ, not in money grubbing false prophets. These crooks also wrongly teach that God wants everybody to be wealthy. They are liars, because Jesus said, For the poor always ye have with you…

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.