Are You Blessed?

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?  Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!  So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. (Matthew 7: 7-11, NLT)

I read a story from the news this morning that got me thinking about gifts and blessings.  The founders of the Trinity Broadcasting Network, Paul and Jan Crouch, are accused of misappropriating the funds from their network, using the donations to finance an opulent lifestyle.

 Let me begin by saying that I do not think that financial success and wealth are sins.  Sometimes God chooses to bless people with abundance.

I am terribly uncomfortable with the Crouches, however, and others who preach Prosperity Gospel.  Prosperity Gospel seems to be about getting and having.  If I am faithful, I will be wealthy, healthy, and powerful.  I am entitled to a life of ease and riches, happiness and personal empowerment.  It is my right to pursue and retain as much financial blessing as I can.  This mindset is specifically warned against.  1 Timothy 6: 6-10 says,

Actually, godliness is a great source of profit when it is combined with being happy with what you already have.  We didn’t bring anything into the world and so we can’t take anything out of it:  we’ll be happy with food and clothing.  But people who are trying to get rich fall into temptation. They are trapped by many stupid and harmful passions that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some have wandered away from the faith and have impaled themselves with a lot of pain because they made money their goal. (CEB)

God does promise to bless us if we are faithful.  And we are encouraged to ask for things, but our motives do matter.  "You do not have because you do not ask God.  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures" (James 2: 2b-3, NIV).  We are told to focus on God's Kingdom and His will, and leave the blessing up to Him. 

And our blessings will not always be in the form of financial abundance.  Some of us are blessed with an abundance of mercy, gentleness, or compassion.  Some of us are blessed with an abundance of artistic talent.  Some of us are blessed with abundant crops.  Some of us are blessed with an abundance of knowledge, wisdom, or insight.  But the abundant blessings promised to all, if we are faithful and seek God above all, are joy, contentment, and peace. 

I found myself thinking about Mister Rogers after reading about the Crouches and TBN.  Mister Rogers was a pastor who had a deep love and concern for children.  He did not seek wealth and fame, but followed his calling to minister through a television show to children, speaking to them gently and openly.  He emphasized their worth as people, he spoke lovingly to them, and made a point of being honest with them, not assuming a screen persona, but simply being himself.  He went on to be blessed with a huge following and immense fame, but that was never his aim.  He was kind and patient, never boastful, proud, or rude.  He wasn't selfish or quick tempered.  He rejoiced in the truth, but not in evil. Mr Rogers was always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. He lived out the definition of love on screen every day, and was blessed for his faithfulness.

Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness.  God will bless you abundantly.  It may not be what you expect, but it will always be good.