Misconceptions About God’s Love: Misconception One—Equating Prosperity
“God had loved Israel from the day that He chose her to be His people and brought her out of Egypt (cf. Deuteronomy 10:15), although more often then not, He, because of her sins, had been forced by His righteousness to express His love to her in blasting (chastening) rather than blessings. The Israelites of Malachi’s day, because of the absence of material prosperity, had begun to doubt and question God’s love.”[1]
There is no doubt that material prosperity (i.e. financial gain) has a place in the kingdom. Jesus had financial “supporters” (cf. Luke 8:1-3), and Paul speaks of the gift of giving (cf. Romans 12:8).
However, to seek and/or to equate prosperity with blessing and special favor of God above others is dangerous.
This prosperity gospel is not new, as Paul warned Timothy centuries ago:
“and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:5-6 NIV).
In our text, Jesus gives us our focus:
“And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions’” (Luke 12:15 ESV).
As I look around my house and survey my possessions, I am awe-struck with just how much we really have—and wonder if some of it is really needed at all.
Misconceptions About God’s Love: Misconception Two—Failing to Remember
Second in Israel’s misconceptions about God’s love was their failure to remember Jehovah’s past love for them.
While God had done so many beautiful acts of love towards Israel, it was the miracles of the Exodus, and their leader Moses, which became Israel’s distinguishing stigma. Mordechai Housman on the web page Being Jewish[2] writes, “The Exodus therefore did more than simply release the Israelites from slavery. It also brought them into an exalted level of holiness. To be sure, they did not remain at that extremely high state of prophecy, but the Exodus gave to the Children of Israel the special status of G-d’s Chosen People and G-d’s holy nation of priests. From then on the Children of Israel have been a holy people, special to G-d.”
For Christians we would do well to follow the Apostle Peter’s admonition that being in Christ we “…are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10 ESV).
And to avoid falling into Israel’s error in failing to remember the Lord’s past love for us, we must keep in mind that at one time we were separated from Christ but now we are “brought near” by His blood! (cf. Ephesians 2:11-13).
Misconceptions About God’s Love: Misconception Three—Misunderstanding Discipline
A third error in Israel’s doubt of God’s love? Their failure to recognize His love as the catalysis to chastisement.
I remember growing up with the “this will hurt me more than it will hurt you” parent speech prior to being spanked and thinking, “Yeah, right!”
However, as a parent of seven, I must confess using the very same speech before administering the necessary discipline—only I truly felt the emotion behind those words.
The writer of Hebrews brings to remembrance the blessing of chastening for the believer, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Hebrews 12:6 ESV). I can’t help but think there are times the Father shares in that parental pain so easily dismissed by sons and daughters.
Notice the reasoning for God’s chastisement: “For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10 ESV). J. Vernon McGee penned, “I believe that there is no way you can become a full-grown child of God living in fellowship with Him (that is the main thought behind ‘holiness’) except through the discipline of God.”
I certainly don’t want to say, ‘bring it on!” But I will work to accept it rightfully when it comes. And that is the key—always remembering that discipline will come because of His love for us.
As Christians “chosen” by God through our response to Holy Spirit conviction, we too hear the Lord say, “I have loved you.” But the key for us is not to respond as did Israel in questioning how, as we look on our bleak circumstances or through unfulfilled personal expectations or in the middle of a “good” chastisement; rather, it is to love Him back just as unconditionally as He loves us.
Oh, how our Lord truly love us, regardless of our misconceptions!
