Apostolic Health & Wealth?!

I don't know about you, but growing up in church, it was a common thought that believers who subscribed to a "prosperity gospel" were in left field. As if Jesus' preference was that His followers be poor and sickly. But if that be the case, it's interesting what the apostle John writes to his friend Gaius in his third letter. He said, "I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers." (3 John 2 - and that's in the NASB in case you were wondering) Notice that John the apostle, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit I might add, said "in ALL respects" I pray that you would prosper (and where I'm from "all" usually means "all"). It's like he says, "My friend, I know your soul is prospering and I'm pumped about that. But let's not stop there. Let's go for the whole shebang! I'm praying that God would bless your socks off in all ways." To which many of us would say, "How dare you John! Since when have you become one of those health and wealth preachers?!"

Don't get me wrong. It's not as if I'll be stopping by the Hummer lot this afternoon or be sporting a Rolex on Sunday, but I'm done with the lie that the only thing Jesus cares about and desires to prosper is my soul. God is renewing my mind and I couldn't be happier. In the name of Jesus I'll gladly receive prosperity in every form and immediately turn it to praise and thanksgiving!

As for you, I pray that in ALL respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers!

To Be Like John

I was reading about John the Baptist today in my quiet time and had a couple of thoughts:

Luke 3:2 says that the word of God came to John in the desert. What was he doing in the desert? Was he run out of town because he didn't fit in elsewhere? Or could it be that he had intentionally secluded himself for a time for the purpose of hearing from God? I'm not sure, but I have seen the value of pulling away from the busyness of our world and finding some alone time with God. Where is your desert?

Luke 3:19-20 says that John rebuked Herod because he was messing around with his brother's wife. I love it that John had the boldness to speak the truth to all people and it mattered not your social status. He was not intimidated by Herod's power or money. He told him straight up that what he was doing was wrong, even if this meant getting thrown in prison. Even if this meant losing his head. I want that kind of boldness!