God’s Blessing?

“I know your tribulation and your poverty but you are rich….. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:9a, 10b)

It is natural to equate physical comfort with God’s blessings. Our prayers are often filled with pleas for His intervention in our physical and financial situations. God is concerned about every aspect of our lives, so it is not wrong to ask Him to care for us in those ways. Yet, how often do we see someone doing well financially and automatically say, “Wow–it looks like God has really blessed you!” Perhaps He has. But what then do we say to the single mother who loves God, but cannot pay her rent? Should we say, “God sure isn’t blessing you”?

Because we live in the physical realm, much of our attention goes to physical needs. God, however, dwells in the spiritual realm. And our eternity, our destiny rests in the spiritual realm. He is at work in us to shape our character into who we ought to be, and He uses all means to do it. In the verses above, Christ is speaking to the first century church in Smyrna. They were poverty-stricken, and were enduring great difficulty. Jesus encouraged them, but not with imminent relief, or earthly liberation or an upturn in their finances. In fact, He told them their physical circumstances would get worse. Some of them were going to end up in prison! No, His encouragement was that when this life was over, they would be richly rewarded in heaven for their faithfulness.

Sometimes, earthly comfort can be a curse rather than a blessing, if we rely on our own accomplishments or bank accounts rather than God’s strength. God’s blessings take all forms. Trust Him.

-Pastor Mike