Faithfulness Doesn’t Guarantee Prosperity

[Christ4Ever]

Even now we go hungry and thirsty, and we don't have enough clothes to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home. We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us. 1 Corinthians 4:11-12 NLT

Imagine for a moment what faithfulness looks like. There may be no greater picture of faithful reliance on God than that of a preacher taking the Gospel to those who have never heard it before. It is an immensely costly and often dangerous undertaking, as was certainly the case with Paul and his missionary team. In fact, we read in his letter that hunger, thirst, exposure, homelessness, and physical attacks were among the adversity he faced.

How have you responded to seasons of adversity? You may be tempted to believe that adversity or even poverty means you’ve done something wrong.

Yet adversity and a lack of prosperity may actually mean you’re doing the right thing. In other words, if you’re taking flak, then you’re over the target. Most importantly, God is present with you in times of suffering and adversity, an unshakable source of strength and hope, even when you feel like you can’t go on much longer. When you feel as if everything is turning against you, that’s the time to turn to God in faith rather than to second-guess His love for you.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I trust that You will give me the words and wisdom for the trials of life.

 

[Curtis]

Hab 3:17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty,
Hab 3:18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
Hab 3:19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. (For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)

Even though Paul suffered many things in his life, in the end, the Lord was faithful to him to where he preached the Gospel to all who would listen while he lived in his own rented home still being a prisoner.

Act 28:28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
Act 28:29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
Act 28:30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
Act 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.