Is the health and wealth “gospel” an ancient lie? Let’s look at Job 8.
Did Bildad claim that prosperity comes from living pure and upright, while suffering only comes because we sinned?
Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: “How long will you speak these things, And the words of your mouth be like a strong wind? Does God subvert judgment? Or does the Almighty pervert justice? If your sons have sinned against Him, He has cast them away for their transgression. If you would earnestly seek God And make your supplication to the Almighty, If you were pure and upright, Surely now He would awake for you, And prosper your rightful dwelling place. Though your beginning was small, Yet your latter end would increase abundantly. (Job 8:1-7 NKJV)
How ancient is the philosophy that we only suffer because of our own sins?
Just ask the previous generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors. For we were born but yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow. But those who came before us will teach you. They will teach you the wisdom of old. (Job 8:8-10 NLT)
Rather than comfort the suffering Job, does Bildad argue again for cause and effect, that Job must have forgotten God?
Can the papyrus grow up without mire? Can the rushes grow without water? While it is yet in its greenness, not cut down, it withers before any other reed. So are the paths of all who forget God. The hope of the godless man will perish, whose confidence will break apart, whose trust is a spider’s web. He will lean on his house, but it will not stand. He will cling to it, but it will not endure. He is green before the sun. His shoots go out along his garden. His roots are wrapped around the rock pile. He sees the place of stones. If he is destroyed from his place, then it will deny him, saying, ‘I have not seen you.’ Behold, this is the joy of his way. Out of the earth, others will spring. (Job 8: 11-19 WEB)
Is Bildad’s philosophy correct in the long term, but wrong in the short term? Will the wicked often have a strong hand for a time, while the righteous may suffer temporarily?
Surely God won’t reject integrity, won’t strengthen the hand of the wicked. He will still fill your mouth with joy, your lips with a victorious shout. Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will vanish. (Job 8:20-22 CEB)
From the perspective of eternity, what is the cause and effect?
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 6:23 ESV)
Can we suffer for following Jesus, even up to martyrdom? What could possibly be some of the reasons for this?
Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Mat 10:28 HCSB)
Is the health and wealth “gospel” an ancient lie? You decide!
