Will God Bless Me with Money?

Article by R. Joseph Ritter, Jr. CFP® EA

The feeding of the 5,000 is one of the few miracles of Jesus that appears in all four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). This makes it a very important teaching principle. It is also one of the most amazing miracles of Jesus in all of the gospels. He took a meal meant for one person, multiplied it for all these people, and had plenty of leftovers.

The miracle also shows the concern and compassion Jesus had for people. He genuinely appreciated that they came to hear Him and be healed by Him. He also knew that it was getting late, and there would not be enough resources in the local villages to feed all these people. Sending them home hungry was not on His radar, especially for those who traveled long distances.

The next day, Jesus performed another spectacular miracle. While crossing the sea in a boat with His disciples, a fierce storm threatened the boat. Jesus responded by calming the sea. But what He found on the other side of the sea was another crowd of people. His response is recorded in John 6:26-27:

“Jesus answered them and said, Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” NASB
The crowd obviously thought that following Jesus would be a good game if they get food out of it.

But Jesus rebuked this attitude of the heart. Coming to Jesus for money is no different than coming to Him for food. Jesus saw it for what it is, an insincere heart and disingenuous. It is a form of idolatry.

What will you do if God does not bless you with the money you think you deserve? Will you stop following Him? If so, then your witness for Christ does not ring true.

There are many reasons to follow Christ. Getting money out of it doesn’t make it on the list.

Christ still seeks people who will follow Him, obey Him and be used by Him even if there is nothing in it for them on this earth. Will you be that one? Or is the lure of wealth more important?