“Pastor, is it possible for someone to prosper and be successful without God?”
I’m guessing this question is as a result of Hilda Baci’s world record. So before I respond to that question, it’s important that we establish the fact that she has always acknowledged God as the source of her strenght. I watched a previous interview of her, probably when she cooked twelve hours straight. They asked her if she could go further than that record, and her response was that God is the source of her strenght, and that what God cannot do does not exist. Asides that, we had witnesses from two well known pastors and her mother that she loves the Lord.
Personally, I think her achievement would have been a great feat for the body of Christ, except that her non-conformity to Christian morals when it comes to dressing may have sabotaged that purpose. It’s now appearing as though she’s promoting two kingdoms. Please note that I’m not judging her. For all we know, she may have realized this and even changed, but the internet doesn’t forget our mistakes so easily. If you seem offended because I didn’t post a public congratulatory message, it’s because I run a spiritual platform and I need to be sure of her stand before I do.
Now back to the question. John 3:27 is clear on this, “A man can receive nothing except it is giving to him from above”. That means any man or woman who ever received anything only received it because God permitted it, whether actively or passively.
If you do blood money and succeed, that’s God’s passive way of telling you that it’s not too late to repent – because some people tried it and lost their lives immediately. If you robbed a bank and succeeded, that’s God’s mercy standing in the gap for you – giving you a reason to repent. Any success you get on your own should give you a reason to draw closer to God, not develop pride and arrogance. Remember the harlot they almost stoned to death in the bible? Her last operation was her opportunity to meet Jesus.
Hard work is good, and even better if you see the fruit of your hard work. But don’t ever think that God is oblivious of your results. Sometimes He even allows the unrighteous to prosper so that the righteous can have food on their table. It’s only God that can keep a sinner alive just so that a poor righteous man will not go hungry. So if you think the prosperous sinner is alive by himself, you’re a joke. He’s alive because he’s useful to God’s program. And it will remain so until the righteous begins to take responsibility. Is it not in your Bible that an heir of God can remain in servitude until he’s matured? Let’s learn God’s character from His dealings with people instead of assuming how He behaves. Just because you quoted two scriptures from the New Testament doesn’t mean you know God’s character.
The stories of the rich fool and Herod was left in the bible so that we can learn that no success story ever occurred without God’s divine input. The rich fool recorded a great harvest and filled all his bans, but he goofed the moment he began to think selfish thoughts. We know the story, God took him. Herod on the other hand uttered very prideful statements regarding his kingdom, and God instantly released worms to eat him up. King Nebuchadnezzar goofed, and God punished him for it. How dare you think that God isn’t involved in your success?
Let anyone who thinks he is self made present himself and let’s see if he’d not crash in a moment. The painful thing is that the Dangote, Bill Gate and the likes that people make reference to won’t dare make prideful statements.
Maybe you don’t know that God also answers the prayer of a Muslim. The advantage we have as believers in Christ is that His blood restored our relationship with God and we can communicate with Him through His Holy Spirit. Ofcourse, we’d also secure heaven. Asides that, God also answers them when they call. I agree that the belief system and process is quite difficult, but that doesn’t mean God does not hear them.
Please let’s watch the kind of comments we make and the kind of counsel we give people. The fact that your neighbors became successful without praying, sowing seeds or even knowing God the way you do doesn’t mean the same thing will apply to you. Moreover, you don’t know who might be praying for those your neighbors, you don’t know what sacrifices their parents may have made for them before God. Stop saying what you don’t know.
The results you see in the physical is not all there is. Every physical result has a spirit sponsor, you or someone else must have invested something in the spirit to get the results you get today, so don’t blow your luck through pride and ignorance. Be careful! 1 Cor 10:12 says, “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall”. If you’re not standing on Christ the solid rock, be careful not to fall. For me, Christ is the foundation for which I stand, so I’m careful for nothing. And even if I fall, I’d still rise again. The righteous may fall seven times but he’d still rise again.
So don’t forget… A MAN CAN RECEIVE NOTHING EXCEPT IT BE GIVING TO HIM FROM ABOVE.
I hope this has brought enlightenment to someone.
Remain ever blessed, in Jesus precious name!
#EmekaAnslem
#writer
#inspiration
#knowledge
#understanding
#wisdom
#revelation
#trending
#UnthinkableHeights