By Prof.Oyewole Sarumi
This is follow up to the first article titled, “Jesus Died to Save the World from Sin , not to Make us Rich”. As already stressed, it is obvious that in contemporary Christianity, there is a growing trend where prosperity gospel teachings emphasize the idea that faith in Christ is a pathway to wealth and earthly success.
Preachers often use the promise of financial blessing to attract followers, suggesting that Jesus came to grant prosperity, health, and material abundance. However, when we dig deeper into the message of the Gospel and the teachings of Scripture, we see a much more profound and eternal purpose behind Christ’s death. Jesus did not die to make us rich, but to save us from sin and to grant us eternal life.
This second article seeks to address the reality of the cross and the call to discipleship, emphasizing that the authentic message of the Gospel is not about earthly wealth, but about salvation and eternal glory in Christ.
The Cost of Discipleship: A Call to Suffering
In 2 Corinthians 11:24-30, Paul outlines the many sufferings he endured for the sake of the Gospel. These verses are a powerful reminder that the Christian faith is not a pathway to earthly wealth and comfort, but rather a call to sacrifice, hardship, and, in some cases, suffering. Paul lists numerous hardships: he was beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and faced constant danger. Yet, despite these challenges, he counted them as nothing in comparison to the eternal glory he would receive in Christ. His credentials as an apostle were not founded on material prosperity but on the willingness to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.
This understanding of discipleship is crucial for the Church today. When we look at the life of Jesus, we see the same pattern. Jesus did not promise his followers riches or ease. Instead, He invited them to take up their cross and follow Him. In Matthew 16:24-26, Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” This is a call to self-denial, a call to sacrifice, and a call to live in light of eternity, rather than the fleeting pleasures of this world.
Jesus’ Reproof of Materialism: A Call for True Discipleship
In John 6:26, after feeding the multitude with the loaves and fish, Jesus rebukes the crowd for following Him merely for material gain. He says, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.” Here, Jesus challenges the materialistic mindset that often drives people to seek Him—people who are more interested in the temporary blessings of this life than the eternal blessings He offers. He was not interested in attracting a following based on worldly benefits, but on the message of salvation and eternal life.
The prosperity gospel, which focuses on the accumulation of wealth and success as signs of God’s favor, runs counter to the teachings of Jesus. Jesus Himself did not possess worldly wealth, and His disciples, including the Apostle Paul, followed in His footsteps, enduring hardship and suffering for the sake of the Kingdom. The focus of the Gospel is not on what we can gain in this life, but on what Christ has already accomplished for us in His death and resurrection. As followers of Christ, we are called to live in the light of eternity, not to store up treasures on earth, but to store up treasures in heaven.
The Example of Paul: Suffering for the Sake of the Gospel
In 2 Corinthians 11:24-30, Paul provides a compelling example of what it means to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. He lists the various ways he was persecuted: beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, and constantly facing danger. Despite these trials, Paul considered his sufferings as part of his calling and a reflection of his devotion to Christ. His boast was not in wealth or success, but in his willingness to endure hardship for the glory of God.
Paul’s perspective on suffering is rooted in his understanding of the cross. He knew that the path to glory was through suffering. In Philippians 3:10-11, he writes, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” For Paul, the ultimate goal was not to accumulate wealth or earthly success but to know Christ and to share in His sufferings, so that he might also share in His resurrection. This understanding is foundational to the Christian faith: eternal life and glory are found through the cross, not through earthly riches.
The Real Message of the Cross: Salvation, Not Wealth
The ultimate purpose of Christ’s death was to save us from sin and to grant us eternal life. In Romans 6:23, Paul reminds us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus died to offer us the gift of eternal life, not to provide us with earthly wealth. While it is not wrong to enjoy the blessings that come with living a righteous life, the focus of the Gospel is not on prosperity but on salvation.
In 1 Peter 1:18-19, Peter reminds believers that we were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold, “but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” Our salvation is not bought with wealth or material possessions, but with the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus came to rescue us from the power of sin and death, and He offers us the hope of eternal life. This is the true message of the Gospel—the message of redemption, forgiveness, and the hope of glory.
The Danger of Materialism in the Church
In today’s world, materialism has infiltrated the Church, and the message of prosperity has become a dominant narrative. However, this focus on material wealth as a sign of God’s favour detracts from the true message of the cross. The danger of materialism is that it shifts our focus from spiritual matters to temporal concerns. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus warns, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
When the focus of the Church shifts from salvation and eternal life to wealth and prosperity, we risk losing sight of the true purpose of Christ’s death. Jesus came to redeem us from sin, not to make us rich. While wealth can be a blessing, it should never become our primary pursuit. Our true treasure is found in Christ and in the hope of eternal life.
Conclusion
:As Christians, we are called to follow the example of Christ and the apostles. Are you living with an eternal perspective in view? The question is important because Christ Jesus that I know did not promise His followers wealth, success, or an easy life. Instead, He promised that we would face trials and tribulations, but He also promised that He would be with us through them all. I can confidently testify and vouch here that this is the lot of true Christian faith. The true message of the Gospel is not about gaining material wealth, but about receiving the gift of eternal life through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
In Philippians 3:7-8, Paul writes, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” This is the mindset that we must adopt as followers of Christ. Our ultimate goal is not to gain the world’s riches, but to know Christ and to live for His glory.
Let us remember that Jesus died to save us from sin, not to make us rich. The true Gospel is about salvation, redemption, and eternal life. As we follow Christ, let us keep our eyes on the eternal prize and not be distracted by the temporary wealth of this world. May we, like Paul, be willing to suffer for the sake of the Gospel, knowing that our reward is in heaven.
Let’s remember that it’s your soul that’s being contested for, and the kind of messages your permit determines your eternity.
I come in peace 💯❤️
