In the days of the early church, there were some who thought that godliness would ensure financial success. Equating piety with prosperity, they put on a religious facade for their own self-serving motives. This powerful deception lured many away from the faith.


Today the seduction continues. All around the globe the “health and wealth gospel” captivates people with its message that God will shower them with material blessings in exchange for their faith. But this is not the Gospel. This teaching leaves most people far from contentment and only wanting more.


On the contrary, we are called to hold nothing back from God. Though God may rarely require someone to give everything away, that should not change the attitude of our hearts. The Apostle Paul said, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:8), and, “…if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (1 Timothy 6:8).


Can we say the same? True contentment in Christ makes this possible.