Many have the wrong assumption that receiving financial and material prosperity or blessing means that they are in line with the will of God, or that they are doing what God wants them to do. If you're one of those who believe that idea, let me tell you this: It's plain wrong.

It's not an indicator

While God does bless His people with financial and financial-related things, money is not a sure indicator that a person is in line with the will of God. Many who are not believers in the Lord Jesus Christ get rich through various ways, including dishonest and illegal means. Thus, using money or prosperity as an indicator is misleading and is a dangerous thing to do.

The Bible has a lot to tell us regarding this matter. Take Job 21:7-16, for example:

"Why do the wicked prosper, growing old and powerful? They live to see their children grow up and settle down, and they enjoy their grandchildren. Their homes are safe from every fear, and God does not punish them. Their bulls never fail to breed. Their cows bear calves and never miscarry. They let their children frisk about like lambs. Their little ones skip and dance. They sing with tambourine and harp. They celebrate to the sound of the flute. They spend their days in prosperity, then go down to the grave in peace. And yet they say to God, 'Go away. We want no part of you and your ways. Who is the Almighty, and why should we obey him? What good will it do us to pray?' (They think their prosperity is of their own doing, but I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking.)"

Pursue God, not personal prosperity

False teaching related to this matter tells today's Christians to live with a wrong perception of being a child of God. Some people teach that because we are children of God, all our needs will surely be met by Him. It will reach a point when we become spoon-fed, spoiled kids who don't pursue God's righteousness, holiness and justice. Instead we will be led to pursue prosperity with the blessings of the Creator of the universe even if we don't do what pleases Him.

The Bible clearly tells us that if Christ suffered, we as His followers will also suffer with Him. If He was hated by the world, we who are truly in love with Him and are dedicated to pursuing Him will also be hated by those who don't love Him.

My friends, God does bless us financially. He will meet our needs, maybe even in the same way that He met Elijah's, Moses', and even Jesus'. But we must keep in mind that they pursued Him, not their own gain.

Let's pursue God, not our own comforts and whims.