Prosperity

Bonnie Richardson ran. She threw. She jumped. And finally, she accepted the 1A team championship for Rochelle High School. She was the only athlete from her school to qualify for the state meet. It was the first time a single athlete had won the girls’ team title – by herself!

For the record, her marks in the field events were: high jump (5 feet, 5 inches), placed second in the long jump (18-7) and was third in the discus (121-0). The next day she won the 200 meters in 25.03 seconds and nearly pulled off a huge upset in the 100 before finishing second (12.19) to defending champion. She earned a total of 42 team points to edge team runner-up Chilton (36).

Bonnie Richardson couldn’t have been more prosperous in the Texas state track meet. However, real prosperity is more of a condition of our hearts, rather than attaining individual or team goals.

God does promise to bless us with food, clothing and shelter as we seek Him (Matthew 6). Rather than manipulating and seeking after selfish ambitions, stay faithful and humble. Allow God to decide when you should be exalted and praised.

GOSPEL FOCUS
You've seen repeatedly if you watch much religious television. The health-wealth-and-prosperity gospel advocated by so many televangelists is the ultimate example of fantasy faith. This false gospel appeals to the flesh, corrupting all the promises of Scripture and encouraging greed. It makes material blessing, not Jesus Christ, the object of the Christian's desires. Christ is no longer the focus of the message. Never forget that Christ died on a cross to save us from God’s wrath, not to provide us with our best life now! For the believer, the best life is yet to come.

Gordon Thiessen