Who promised prosperity?

There are many out there who promise prosperity in this life if one is wise and righteous.

Many.

But not Christ.

Matthew 16:21-28

21From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

24Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

27“For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. 28Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

The servant is not greater than the master, nor is the student greater than the teacher, If we call ourselves followers of Christ, we can be expected to be treated in a similar manner.

Prosperity doctrine, as described by taking hold of the promises of God, misses that much of the blessings and productivity that comes in our lives does not come at pleasant times. It comes when we are exhausted, beyond our limits, and desperate to get out of the current situation.

Because the way of Christ, like any worthwhile endeavour, is hard.