Does Christianity Come With Benefits?
Made In God’s Image
God created man and woman in His own Image (Genesis 1:27).
In our lives we often forget that this statement is not exclusive to Christians, but inclusive of all people, nations, and ethnicities around the world. God loves everyone, including those who do not choose Him over worldly gods and idols.
Being a Christian doesn’t come with certain benefits. We aren’t better than others.
Jesus speaks on this during the sermon on the mount.
In Matthew 5:45, Jesus says that, “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Sending rain in this context means the same as financial blessings. Without rain, crops will wither and die, and the farmer would lose his income. Thus, God gives His blessings to those who deserve it and to those who do not.
It is interesting, if you look at the context of Matthew 5:45.
The verse itself comes right after Jesus tells the people to “love [their] enemies.” It was “heard” that you should love your neighbor and hate your enemies, but that was never what God said or what was written in the Bible. This was what the Pharisees and religious leaders were saying about what God meant. Jesus came to correct them.
It was never God’s intention for you to hate your enemy. Why? Because everyone is created in the image of God.
It goes right back to Genesis 1:27.
What About the Money?
We also have to remember that if you are a Christian, you shouldn’t automatically expect better jobs or more income.
God is not after your economic wellbeing; He is after your soul and your spiritual health. God makes sure you have what you need, but maybe not all that you want.
He may give your neighbor all that he or she wants, but not you.
Often, this creates jealously and covetousness among Christians. You may wonder, “why am I not seeing the same economic blessings as my unsaved neighbor?”
If this is you, is that really what God is here for? An economic benefit for your life?
The Jews in the old testament had a similar understanding of God. If we look at what David wrote in Psalm 145, we see a comparison to what Jesus taught in Matthew 5:45. David writes, “the Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made (v. 9 NIV) and “You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing” (v. 16 NIV).
The Lord our God is good to His entire creation and wants to satisfy the desires of every living being. Why? Because God is a good God, not a God with evil intentions.
Jesus will eventually come to judge the earth, but this time has not yet come.
The Talmud tells us that God quieted the angels from rejoicing when the Red Sea closed around the Egyptians (Sefaria – Sanhedrin 39b). It does not seem far-fetched to believe that this was the case.
Knowing that God loves those He has created in His image, having to pronounce their judgement to save the Israelites, it grieves Him. God loves His entire creation and has compassion on all He has made, even if they reject Him and walk their own way.
When you study the love of God, you start to see things from a different perspective. If God does not rejoice when enemies perish, why would we?
If God looks to bring economic blessings to those who do not believe in Him, why aren’t we doing the same? We are to pray for the wellbeing of all those who live on this earth, not just because this is what God would want us to do, but we are also called to do so.
If we are to live in poverty all of our lives, is this not enough if we have Jesus? Should we care about what our neighbor has?
Our True Purpose
Our main purpose in our lives is to live for God and look to bring others into the same relationship with our Savior.
Sin has broken this bond between Creator and created. Jesus mends this, but only for those who accept Jesus as their savior. As 1 Timothy 2:1-4 says,
“I urge, the, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (NIV)
Thus, prayer is vital in our spiritual walk for several reasons.
It helps us align with God’s purpose and vision for our lives
It teaches us to love others like God loves us
It reminds us that it’s not about us, but about God’s love for His creation
When we want God to bless us economically or believe that this is part of what a Christian life is, then we have the wrong mindset. Our mission is not to think inwardly, but outwardly.
Where are you focusing your mindset right now?
Are you looking to view others the way that God wants you to? Or, because you aren’t getting the economic blessings you were hoping for, do you start to look at God differently?
Are you seeing people in the wrong way because of this?
Do you blame your financial problems on God not providing or answering your prayers?
When we do not get what we want, we look for someone to blame.
If it’s not God’s fault, then it must be all the evil in this world. Immigrants, big businesses, government, your neighbor, etc.
Is God Enough?
Could God remove any obstacle if He so desired? He could, very easily. So it’s not that others are to blame for your condition.
Your condition is simply that God isn’t enough, and you look at what others have and desire it. You want and you cannot get it and the seeds of Satan are planted in your heart.
Cain killed Abel over jealously. This is the plight of our world.
Hate and jealously.
Be careful not to fall into this trap.
Pray for others and wish them the best and that they will come to know Jesus, even if they are your worst enemy and have no care for God. The Holy Spirit will work wonders in your own heart and bring you peace.
Peace of heart brings joy. Joy in all that Jesus has done for you is what changes the world.
