Re: Gospel Validation...

I don't know if you know who Joni Eareckson Tada is or not, but she is a christian who has suffered paralysis for almost 50 years. But even though she is wheelchair bound, she has traveled the world helping other disabled people, giving away wheelchairs to people that could not afford them, etc.
She tells a story in one of her books about visiting this one very extremely poor place in another country where the people lived in tents, and filth, many were missing their legs, arms, etc. from disease, etc. She said it was very hard for her to see this, but what was absolutely amazing to her was that it was one of the most joy filled groups she had ever seen. They loved the Lord and sang praises to Him despite their poverty and suffering. As she was leaving to go home, one of them stopped her and asked, "Why are Americans so unhappy when they have so much?" I don't think she even knew what to say. How would you answer that?
I think part of it is that we are so bombarded with the health wealth prosperity message even if we don't know it. I'm an avid non-supporter of the health wealth prosperity gospel and yet I know that I am still affected because you can't get away from it if you live in America. And other countries have been greatly affected by it too. We expect so much here, as if we are entitled to so much, and when we don't have it, we believe something is really wrong, and God must not love us, etc. And this is what we are constantly told by the prosperity teachers too. Expect these physical blessings! Claim them! God promised them (even though he didn't) so take hold of them! And the worst of them will add, But you must send us your money, sow a seed, or forget it!

Those people that Joni Tada Eareckson met are who amaze me. And I know it's just the grace and power of God that they can have so much joy despite all their pain and sorrows. It's exactly what Miles McKee said in his article above, riches is not where joy comes from. Health is not where joy comes from. Jesus is where joy comes from and in Him you can be completely poor and sick, and still have joy. I believe those people had Jesus, and he was enough for them. Tweet