God’s Loving Provision vs The Prosperity Gospel.
Readership: Men
Theme: Christian / Mystical Awareness
Length: 2,000 words
Reading Time: 11 minutes
Intro
It’s that time of the year when we’re thinking about what gifts to buy for others. Or, if you planned ahead, you’re thankful to be finished with your holiday hassles.
Lest we forget, this custom is a reflective imitation of the Lord’s gracious gift of Himself to us.
But our habit of giving gifts freely is NOT how God gives to us, but rather, how we would prefer it to happen — as a $uRpRi$e! that is within our Control — that’s what all the hassle is about — Control budget, Control spending, Maximize impact, Control outcome, Control… Somewhere in all this, we hope to enjoy it for a few moments — IF we Controlled everything well enough.
I do not mean to say that God is Anti-Control, or that He gives gifts with strings attached, although it often feels that way. But rather, He gives us gifts that equip us for His purposes, and only when we’re ready and willing.
To illustrate what I mean, just ask yourself, “What are you getting from the Lord for Christmas this year?”
You won’t wake up on Christmas morning and find that all your debts have been paid off by a wealthy philanthropist, or that you suddenly have the special gift of prophecy.
It might happen, but probably not.
It’s out of your Control.
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