“Believe and Receive.” “Heirs of Everything.” “The Anointing to Prosper.” “Explosive Blessings Are Coming Your Way.”
These are just a few recent sermon titles by prominent U.S. Christian pastors. And the list of similar sounding titles goes on and on. And on.
While I believe that God wants us all to prosper and be blessed, I think we all know the underlying message of many of these sermons: if we are living in God’s favor, we should own extravagant homes, drive fancy cars, enjoy a fat bank account, and delight in a lifestyle made complete by Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Bentley, and Armani. I’ve even heard it said and frequently implied that if you don’t have these “blessings” you’re not walking in favor and must be lacking in faith.
Last night was the premier of “Preachers of L.A.” I didn’t see the show (nor do I intend to watch it) but I did see some preview clips. The message seemed clear: Christian success is equated with having an abundance of material things – the same things that unbelievers equate with success. I was flabbergasted to hear one of the preachers say, “P. Diddy…Jay Z – they’re not the only ones who should be driving Ferrari’s and living in large houses.”
I know God blesses people financially – especially those who are good stewards and honor God with their finances. I’m not opposed to Christians having nice homes, great jobs and new cars – I’m thankful for my own nice home and new car. What I am saying is many people misunderstand what it means to be “favored” of God.
The angel said to Mary in Luke 1:28, “thou that art highly favored.” Wow! She wasn’t just favored, but “highly favored!” What was the result of Mary being “highly favored?” Her entire life was turned upside down. She was thrust into a season of hardship and pain. She was misunderstood and ridiculed. Her fiance wanted to “put her away privately” because it appeared she was pregnant out of wedlock. When it came time to give birth, she was alone. There was no fancy hotel available – not even a room with a bed. She gave birth in a stable. Her only companions were Joseph and the stable animals. She and Joseph were so poor, they didn’t even have clothes for the child.
Later, when she took baby Jesus to the temple, she was met by a prophet. Simeon took Jesus into his arms and proclaimed that the child was the Christ, who had come to bring salvation. Then he looked at this young girl who was “favored” by God and declared, “Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Mary, you are walking in divine blessing. You are “highly” favored of God. Oh, by the way, a sword is going to pierce through your soul. Your son will die as a young man. You will watch Him suffer torture and death. All this because you are walking in divine “favor.”
Favor is not about cars and houses and a big bank account. Favor is not about God spending on us. It’s about God spending us. Mary was highly favored because she was a conduit of God’s purpose and plan. She was blessed because she was used by God to bring the Savior into the world.
The disciples walked in divine favor. John the Baptist was so “favored” that Jesus said there’s never been a greater man in human history. They were all favored, 
yet they all suffered persecution and hardship. They were ofttimes destitute. They all died without the things our American society equates with success. But they died rich! – Rich because God spent them. Rich because they were channels of God’s glory.
The unfortunate consequence of espousing an erroneous concept of “favor” is that many people, when going through trials, tests or a season of scarcity, buy into the lie that they are not “blessed” or favored of God. Sometimes being used of God leads to seasons of sacrifice. You can’t always equate your lack of material possessions with a lack of God’s favor.
A further distortion of “divine favor” is thinking that when God does bless us with financial blessings it is for us to live in self-indulgent luxury. In James, God pronounced judgment upon those who “hoarded wealth in the last days” and “lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence.” Whenever God blesses us with financial resources it is not for us to lavish things upon ourselves – it is for us to use those resources to further the Gospel. The favor is not the “things” – the favor is that God has chosen to use us.
I have traveled overseas and seen many of my Christian brothers and sisters who are living a meager lifestyle. They have little, if any, material possessions. But they are so favored. They are being mightily used of God. They are instruments in the Hands of God. To think they are lacking in faith or God’s favor because they don’t have the material possessions of the “Preachers of LA” is ridiculous.
God’s favor is more about us being used in His purpose than it is Him blessing us with material things.
-Pastor Ball
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6 Comments
Pastor Ball…I appreciated this article very much. I have been in Pentecost all my life and I have heard very few messages on this subject. Most people, even ministers, do not want to hear about what the disciples experienced…it makes them uneasy. I believe it makes them stop and think about what they would do if they were called upon to experience similar experiences and they just don’t want to think about it. My husband and I have been thru some financial situations, not of our own making, but because we have been victims of a poor economy, although we have been told by family members and friends that it was because of poor planning. My husband is a computer scientist and could not find work during the dot com economy downturn. How was my husband to see into the future so that he could supposedly have made a better choice of profession? The Bible says God is our provider and I have struggled with believing that because when my husband needed work when the dot com bust happened he was not able to secure work and we lost everything accept for some furniture and personal possessions we were able to move to another location, but we left a lot behind. We had friends who were missionaries to the Middle East and when they came stateside for deputation we always housed them, and during the day while we were at work, they had full access to everything in the house. We have always been faithful in giving our tithes and offerings and have given special offerings when God asked us to give. Just to give you an example, once a long time ago during a revival meeting, I kept feeling impressed to give the evangelist a $1000 offering. My husband and I discussed it with our Pastor and we gave him the money to give to the minister. A few weeks later we were told that the evangelists’ wife no longer had a job and they were able to use the offering. As far as we know, they never knew where the money came from. I’ve said all that to say this. I’ve heard ministers preach that if you are faithful with your tithes and offerings you will be blessed financially. So the church people hear that preached and that becomes their mentality, too. So people who experience unfortunate circumstances are looked down upon as not being favored by God. That’s why I don’t ask people for advice anymore or even discuss whatever our situation might be. I have gotten into the realm of living my life knowing that God knows my heart and knows that I am doing everything I should be doing spiritually and that’s what matters, not what people have to say. I really don’t care what people’s opinions and thoughts are about me…it’s God’s approval I want not theirs. Anyway, I’m sorry this turned into such a long comment and if you take the time to read it, thank you. Keep up the good work…it’s needed!
Thanks for your comment. I appreciate your transparency and honesty. Always remember that being “favored” of God doesn’t necessarily mean being blessed “financially” God’s blessings come in so many forms, and being used by God in His Kingdom is the greatest way we are favored. I came across an interesting tweet yesterday – “The best things in life aren’t things!” God Bless
These words could not be more on point. I have often pondered the true cost to me to be His servant if the only way to really know him is through the “fellowship of His sufferings.” May we all understand what it truly means to be in the economy of God. Thanks Elder!
Thank you so much for your feedback! God Bless.
Your article brought light and life to my understanding. Thank you for being obedient to God. May God bless you continually.
Great blog you’ve got here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours nowadays.
I seriously appreciate people like you! Take care!!