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Does the Gospel Promise Financial Success?

Does the Gospel Promise Financial Success? 

What is the gospel and does it promise financial security? Christians throughout history have experienced times of persecution, but how does the gospel give us the promise of a better life? First the benefits of the Christian gospel promise us hope in this life, and the promise of eternal happiness in the life to come. God doesn't promise us that we will be rich in this life, but he promises the blessings and the grace to succeed spiritually which has a direct effect on the way we see money and material things. We need these things in order to survive, but Jesus told us to seek him first, and then all these things will be added to you, or your life. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 | ESV) It's not wrong to want to be taken care of, we all desire to have the things we need in order to survive. The reason why the bible teaches us to seek Jesus first is because we need to understand that the gospel isn't just about getting our needs met, it's also about being in a covenant with God. 

This covenant relationship gives us the hope we need especially during hard times, because God loves us and wants to forgive us. When our sins are forgiven by God, we can live our lives in peace with God, then He does give us the security we desired apart from him. Being poor is not a sin, and even as a Christian God might allow us to live with less money, so that we do not lose our desire for spiritual things. If you become a Christian God will give you everything you need to survive, but He will also give you His presence and peace, so you can know him. We know that we know God through our trust in what Jesus did for us by dying for our salvation. When you trust in him that way, you can honestly say that you know God, because you understand the way you are forgiven by him! 

What if you reject that? Well the bible teaches us that we need to first believe that, then we need to continue believing that, if you don't then the bible won't make sense to you. People while alive, are all given the free chance to accept the forgiveness of Jesus or to reject it. God doesn't force us to believe this, it must be followed by our free will. When we live with the conscience that I am forgiven by what Jesus Christ did for me, we walk in the New Testament in a covenant with God that cannot be broken by our sin. Faith comes from believing that Jesus died for me, and it leads us to Heaven when we die. We can follow the Lord not with a blind belief, but a belief that transforms us into the person that God wants us to be, and that brings you happiness. 

I'm forgiven by God because I trust in the sacrifice of Jesus. I believe that his death was sufficient to remove my sin, and make me a child of God. As a result, I also trust Jesus will meet my needs through my faith in his Son, so even when things are hard, I have God's promise and so can you! This is Mike.


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