Does God Reward with Prosperity and Good Health if You Are Truly Serving Him?

An Expository Study Using the Bible and Other Scriptural Literature

Introduction

The question of whether God rewards His faithful followers with prosperity and good health is one that has sparked much debate within Christian circles. The Bible provides insight into God’s promises of blessings to His people, but it also reveals a balanced understanding of how these blessings are dispensed. The answer is not as simple as a guaranteed formula for material success, but rather a more profound reflection of God’s purposes and principles in the lives of believers.

The Nature of God’s Blessings

God’s blessings are often categorized into spiritual, physical, and material realms. While He does indeed provide for the needs of His children, these provisions are not always limited to tangible rewards such as wealth or health. Spiritual blessings are considered superior and eternal, while material prosperity is often seen as temporal.

Spiritual Prosperity in Scripture

In 3 John 1:2 (KJV), the apostle John prays, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” Here, the emphasis is on the prosperity of the soul, which is the foundation of all other forms of prosperity. God’s primary concern is the health of our souls, which includes spiritual growth, righteousness, and eternal life.

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:19-21, NKJV) also encourages believers to focus on spiritual riches: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This clearly shows that spiritual prosperity should be the priority for believers, as it is of lasting value.

Material Prosperity and Its Conditional Nature

While spiritual blessings are primary, the Bible does not dismiss the idea that God may bless His people with material prosperity and good health. In the Old Testament, God’s covenant with Israel often included promises of material blessings for obedience. Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (NKJV) says, “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God… that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.”

However, it is crucial to understand that these blessings were part of a specific covenant with Israel. The material prosperity promised in the Old Testament was often linked to the land of Israel, which symbolized God’s provision for His people.

In the New Testament, however, Jesus shifts the focus from earthly to heavenly rewards. While material blessings are not discounted, they are not the central focus of God’s plan for His people. This shift is echoed by Paul in Philippians 4:19 (NKJV): “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God’s provision is promised, but it is according to His will and purposes, and not necessarily tied to material wealth.

Examples of Material Prosperity and Good Health

There are notable biblical figures who were blessed with material prosperity and good health as part of their walk with God:

1. Abraham: In Genesis 13:2 (NKJV), “Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.” Abraham’s wealth is seen as a blessing from God, but it was always tied to his obedience and faith in God’s promises.

2. Job: Job’s story demonstrates both the loss and restoration of material prosperity. Job 42:10 (NKJV) says, “And the Lord restored Job’s losses… indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job’s wealth was restored after his test of faithfulness, showing that God can indeed reward with prosperity, but it may come through trials.

Health in Scripture

While material prosperity is occasionally mentioned in Scripture, health is a subject often addressed in the context of divine healing and the sustaining power of God. In Exodus 15:26 (NKJV), God tells Israel, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God… I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.” This emphasizes that health is also tied to obedience and a covenant relationship with God.

In the New Testament, Jesus often healed the sick as a sign of God’s power and compassion. However, health is not promised as a perpetual state. Paul, who performed many miracles through God’s power, still struggled with his own “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9, NKJV). God did not remove Paul’s affliction, but rather told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” This indicates that while God does heal, sometimes He allows suffering for a greater purpose.

The Prosperity Gospel: A Warning

The so-called “prosperity gospel” teaches that financial wealth and physical health are guaranteed to believers if they have enough faith. However, this teaching is not supported by the full counsel of Scripture. Jesus warns against focusing on wealth: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25, NKJV). Wealth and health, if granted, should never become the believer’s primary goal.

The story of the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-22 also shows that an attachment to material wealth can hinder a person’s relationship with God. Jesus instructs the young man to sell all his possessions and follow Him, indicating that following Christ requires a willingness to forsake earthly riches when necessary.

Conclusion: God’s Ultimate Reward

The Bible provides a balanced understanding of God’s blessings. Yes, God can and does bless His people with material prosperity and good health at times, but these blessings are not guaranteed or the ultimate goal of the Christian life. Spiritual prosperity, characterized by a deep relationship with God, is of far greater importance. As Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) teaches, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

God’s ultimate reward for those who serve Him faithfully is not merely wealth or health but eternal life and the joy of His presence. True prosperity is found in the abundance of God’s grace and the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:18). Therefore, while God does bless His people, the focus should always remain on seeking His kingdom and His righteousness above all else.

The Message Bearer, Cornelius Bella