Does Stewardship = Health & Wealth?

It is a good question. Does being good stewards of God's gifts mean we will be richly blessed? Or put more explicitly, if we are financially generous, will God increase our wealth? What do you think?

In our stewardship series, we have attempted to paint a broad picture of God's plans for the world, us, and his intentions around use of resources. We believe our heart is to be set on God, not wealth. We believe we are to have our Head, or wits, about us when dealing with finances. And, we believe our Hands are to be generous with what we are to steward. This is a big topic, and the Bible includes over 2000+ references to the topic of wealth, resources, and fiscal concerns. We have not covered every text as we built our framework of stewardship.

To provide a framework, we have to let some texts guide our understanding of others texts. I would like to think we have fairly represented the tone, texture, and emphasis of Scripture on this theme. Others may argue that different texts should be more prominent and so teach a 'health & wealth' perspective. 

What do we mean by a 'health & wealth' gospel? The New Dictionary of Theology states that this perspective "asserts that God wishes everyone to be healthy and wealthy…and, if prosperity is not present in the lives of professing Christians, then God’s blessing may not be upon them."  Furthermore, giving generously to a church or ministry is often the expected step of faith required to gain health, wealth, and God's blessing.

Essentially, it is a belief that God promises a comfortable life if we trust him with our stuff. Often, it appears that pastors preaching this are exceedingly well-off.

The challenge of this argument is that certain Scriptures appear to support the idea. But, as good readers of Scripture, we need to read texts in context and in concert with all Scripture. Does a ‘health & wealth’ reading overemphasize some texts and underemphasize others? I believe this perspective does not adequately or consistently deal with the whole counsel of God. 

So, if we give generously, will we be richly blessed? Yes. Will our wealth increase? Perhaps.

Scripture does indicate God's blessing includes material gain - but this is often coupled with blessings beyond the material. Throughout Scripture, God blesses us with peace, justice, quality community, and his presence. Material wealth is but one element. In Mark 10, Peter is promised blessings in the shape of brothers and sisters and mothers - family like you and me. Yet, that same text demonstrates that God's blessings may well include suffering. That runs contrary to the 'health & wealth' gospel. God's rich blessing is really about Jesus' resurrection hope at work in us through the presence of his Holy Spirit in us, transforming us to be his partners of grace in his coming kingdom.

Will our wealth increase?  Perhaps. Again, wealth is only one part of God's creation. He blesses us with funds to live on, invest, and bless others. To steward resources like Jesus did expects self-control of our desires, shrewdness to invest in others, generosity to enjoy blessing others, and trust to believe God will provide our daily bread. If our heart is out of whack, God is more interested in gaining our worship than granting us wealth. If we steward with open hands, we may find those hands overflowing to bless more profoundly.

The presence and ways of God are our rich blessing. Our health and wealth is a promised hope to be fulfilled when Jesus' kingdom comes on earth as in heaven. Until the end is here, we will have troubles and blessings intermixed. May we be content to trust God in all circumstances.

Peace.

Kelly