WE AFFIRM that our Heavenly Father is good and delights to give good gifts to all His children. We affirm that all good gifts including health and wealth come down to us from God with no ill intent or hidden motive. We affirm that such gifts are given to us by God by virtue of His own free grace. We affirm that He gives them to us to enjoy and that they ought to be received with meekness and gratitude.
WE DENY that our Heavenly Father has guaranteed any material blessings such as health and wealth to His children on account of their being His children and having faith. We deny that health and wealth in this life are a mark of our sonship to Him and that the lack of such blessings are a mark of failure to tap into the fullness of His design and desire for our earthly life.
It is TRUE that God indeed supplies us with gifts of health, wealth and other things (e.g. Children, spouses, success at school, job promotions, opportunities to travel, etc.). We, in fact, should not shy away from asking God to give us these good gifts, as they all come from his hand. Philippians 2:6 instructs us to make our requests known to God in all things through prayer. 1 Peter 5:7 speaks to us to cast our cares on the Lord, for He cares for us. Therefore, our prayers to God for good health and good success should be prayed in boldness and full of confidence that He is loving toward us and is more than able to answer our requests.
However, it is FALSE to imagine that God is obligated to positively answer our prayers for health and wealth. Of His own good pleasure, God freely gives His gifts to those He desires. No one can arm-twist God’s hand to extend his gifts where he would not. Remember the Apostle Paul. He asked the Lord to take away the thorn in his flesh but was denied (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
It is also FALSE to imagine that our Christianity or Christian experience is incomplete or lacking when we do not experience these material/physical gifts from God. Christianity is not a ticket to accessing the world’s goods, nor is it insurance against misfortune in this present age. Christianity, rather, is access to God the Father through Jesus Christ. It is an assurance that God, the Holy Judge, will not condemn us for our sins because of the sacrifice of His Son. The evidence of Christianity is therefore NOT a fat bank account or a clean bill of health. Rather, it is a heart marked with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It is a life marked by an increasing desire and pursuit of holiness. It is a hope that eagerly awaits the resurrection.
And so, dear Christian, it is NOT a failure of faith if you fall sick, are not wealthy, are unable to bear children, are single and desirous for marriage, are unable to secure a new job, etc… If truly you have trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, then your faith (which is also God’s gift), has surely succeeded.
