CHAPTER 1 - The Delusion of Prosperity

Tyler A. Robertson
Mar 23, 2022
15 min read

Updated: Aug 12, 2022

Have you ever been to New York City? If you have, you most likely know of a little suburb called Chinatown. Chinatown is a densely populated neighborhood that attracts many tourists with its Southeast Asian restaurants and shops. I remember my visit to Chinatown as a senior in high school; and I can assure you, it was an interesting experience.

I had heard word from others who had visited Chinatown that the venders were, shall I say, a bit on the “aggressive side.” So, I thought I’d have a little fun and maybe come out with a bargain. I walked into a shop with a group of friends and I heard a man say, “Psssst, come here!”

I saw no potential danger in a strange, dirty looking man ushering me into a small closet area behind the counter, so I hurried right over! Looking around in somewhat of a frantic pattern, he opened a drawer that was filled with all sorts of tiny items. He proceeded to tell me how very special I was being the only one in the store to see inside His “special” drawer.

He then told me something that I wasn’t expecting.

He held up a “name-brand” wrist watch, and with a cheesy grin, proceeded to tell me that it was worth around $4,000! “But, my man, I will sell this watch to you, and only you, for the insanely low price of $20!”

My reaction shocked us both. I burst into laughter and said, “If what you’re saying is true, then you are the worst salesman I have ever met!” I walked out of the store kind of feeling bad for being so harsh, but still chuckling on the inside.

You know our culture is much like that salesman. They try and try to sell us a cheap imitation of God’s rest, and we often buy right into it. The truth is that someone has lied to us. Someone has looked us square in the eye and told us that money will fix everything. The business world has told us that our self-worth hinges on how much money we make. Hollywood has told us that wealth is the essence of power and prestige. And Wall Street has ignited a rage of addiction to the drug of the dollar.

One Wall Street banker said this about the desire for more: “We must shift America from a needs to a desires culture…. People must be trained to desire, to want new things, even before the old have been entirely consumed. We must shape a new mentality. Man’s desires must overshadow his needs.”

I would say to that Wall Street banker that his job has been successful. The culture has shifted. Most of us hardly realize what it means to actually need something in America. We are convinced by every fiber of our being that we need the newest iPhone, technology, social media, fashion line, or whatever. And then as we scurry to grab the greatest Black-Friday deal ever, we wonder, “Why am I doing this?” We breathe in the emotional high of a credit card swipe as we mutter to ourselves, “I don’t really need this!”

The accumulation of stuff is a cultural phenomenon that has polluted our minds into thinking “the more the merrier” even if we don’t have room for it. Storage units in America are a $38 billion industry with 2.3 billion square feet of storage space. Someone figured up that if we gave every American seven feet of storage unit space, we could literally house everyone in the United States. And if that’s not enough, we build buildings behind our homes, make space in our attic, fill our garage with everything but the car and lock it all away behind a privacy fence, just to one day give it to our children to eventually sell in a yard sale.

We are convinced that the Land of ER really does exist; therefore we will do everything in our power to get there. Oh! You haven’t heard of it? This is a land that has no geographical location. No topography or beautiful landscape. In fact, no one has ever been there before. Many wish to live there, maybe even just visit for a short time; but for some strange reason, there’s not a clear path that leads to this destination. Have you figured it out yet? It is where people wish to be smartER, bettER, fastER, strongER, richER...you get the point.

It’s a place that people strive for, but never hit the mark. It’s the bloody battlefield up the steps of a corporate ladder or political position. It’s a place that once “reached,” people look back and feel like it’s not at all what they wanted. This fire on the inside is fueled by a “more is better” mentality that has led men into a drunken stupor of “hoardom.”

The truth is, we have let our restless hearts lead us on a chase for the world’s riches, and all the while Jesus is pleading: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon [the things of the world,]” (Matthew 6:24). This is the epitome of living a double life. We want wealth, health, and happiness; and we want it so badly that we will sacrifice our relationship with Jesus to get it.

My youth pastor used to often say, “If you sell out God for minimum wage now, you’ll sell Him out for a lot less later on in life.” I can testify that there are many young people that I grew up with that did not heed his warning and gave their part-time job the first place in their lives. They boasted of their part-time wages, but unfortunately had the part-time mentality about Jesus too. I would meet them sometime after we were out of the youth group, and their countenance would scream that they weren’t happy. Sure, they had the job they wanted and got to finally be out from under the thumb of the church, but it was obvious the world didn’t deliver for them like they had hoped. “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways,” (James 1:8).

The love of prosperity is a blazing neon sign of a restless soul. “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows,” (I Timothy 6:10). In my opinion, one of the greatest deterrents of someone trying to wholeheartedly follow Jesus is the relentless pursuit of the land of ER.

Now let me clear the air a little. This doesn’t mean that a Christian cannot be well off or have nice things. There is a skewed view in some Christian circles that you must either be poor and godly, or rich and worldly. I think there is a mistake on both sides. Just read some of the great Christian biographies—William Borden, D.L. Moody, Charles Spurgeon, etc.—and you’ll find that God allowed much wealth to pass through their fingers. The only difference was that their wealth did not have them, Jesus did.

When we have substituted the sufficiency of Jesus for the flashy new thing on the shelf, we have believed the lies of the culture and have fallen head-long into a cycle of restlessness.

Let’s look at some of the lies of our culture and debunk them with the truth of God’s Word.

You Will Miss Out

The feeling of missing out is gut-wrenching for most people.

Friends are at a party, but you have to work.

Family is on a cruise, but you are sick at home.

Someone, somewhere, is having it better than you!

Feel like a loser yet?

This desire of going without is a monetized scheme of the business world. If they can get you to think you are missing out on something that everyone else has or is doing. Then they can get you to buy a book, two books, three books or whatever product they are selling. Just look at the titles in the financial categories on Kindle:

The Secret Habits of a Millionaire

The Mystery Behind Building Wealth

The Hidden Steps to Early Retirement

If someone can make you feel like you’re not socially acceptable until you are “in the know,” then he holds you and your wallet captive.

But what exactly are you really missing out on? I’ll tell you: the pain of sin, guilt from regrets, a divided family, unmet desires, shallow relationships. Do I need to go any further?

Oh yes, my friend! When you choose to follow Jesus, you miss out on a lot of things, but I promise, what you gain is beyond what you can comprehend.

Paul said it this way, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Ye doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” (Philippians 3:7-8).

I think it’s important to note that Paul still suffered as a follower of Jesus. What was the difference? Jesus. He literally gained all of Christ and that was enough for him. And he wasn’t always a poor beggar. Prior to salvation, Paul had wealth, a high position in the Sanhedrin, and plenty of prestige—he was loaded. But when Christ came onto the scene of his life, all those things looked “strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” (Helen H. Lemmel, 1922)

The problem we have with Paul’s perspective is that most of us are not willing to lose what we have to gain Christ. Why? Because, simply put, we believe Christ is not enough. The fear of missing out on what the world promises is much too hard of a pill to swallow.

It was the same for the prodigal. Do you remember? He left all and fled to a far country and “there wasted his substance on riotous living,” (Luke 15:13). I believe the young man had his eyes set on the far country long before he ever left the father. I wonder what he missed at the father’s house while restlessly scrounging up the slop from the pig pin? I wonder what we have missed out on with our Father because we believed the lie of the far country that “the grass is always greener on the other side.” Are we really missing out?

More Stuff Equals More Happiness

“Everyone is on a happiness quest,” my Sunday school teacher used to say. And how right he was. Everyone is looking to be happy, to feel the chills of a wholesome life, where problems are far away. But what if we are convinced our happiness comes with a price tag? What if we think in order to be happy, we must have a certain amount of money coming in each paycheck or have a lot of real estate in our name?

According to the Nature of Human Behavior, once we reached a certain household income—$105,000 in the United States, $95,000 globally—more income “tended to be associated with reduced life satisfaction and a lower level of well-being.”

More money is more likely to compensate with anxiety, depression, and substance abuse than it is to give you a long-lasting smile.

I am reminded of a story that my mentor told often. It was about a young man who had surrendered his life to preach. He was a good-looking boy with a lot of promise waiting for him. After he graduated high school, he got his eyes set on the “far country.” He became discontent with the path God had chosen for him. Entangled in his own plans, he dropped out of Bible college and married his girlfriend back home. He went on to be a very successful business man and was able to provide substantially for his family. But if you were to talk to him today, he would tell you, “I have everything I want—cars, nice house, etc.—but I know I’m out of the will of God.”

For a Christian, joy cannot be found outside the boundaries God has established. It is only through the parameters of His will and Word that we can satisfy our hearts and truly be happy.

“Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God,” (Psalms 146:5).

The More Money You Have, the Better Person You Are

Have you seen the lottery sign lately? I can guarantee you that no matter how much money the Power Ball is right now, it is more money than I will see in my lifetime! What crosses your mind when you see those numbers? You’re probably like everyone else that thinks of all they can accomplish with their millions. We say silly things like, “I’d give it all away!” or “God, if you’d just give me a chance, I’ll do a lot of good with it!”

We cannot falsely conclude that our abundance will magically change us into the people we wish to be. More money will not change our selfish natures into selfless ones. Take it from the capuchin monkeys. Seriously.

According to a study from Yale’s Comparative Cognition Lab, monkeys are not as selfless as you may think. “In an experiment aimed at figuring out monkeys’ willingness to share, researchers placed computer screens in front of their capuchin monkey study participants and had them complete a touchscreen task that led to food being delivered to other monkeys. Surprisingly, results showed that the capuchin monkeys, thought to be prosocial and cooperative from previous research, did not end up delivering food to a partner. The study was published in the journal Behavioral Sciences.

There is a part of a monkey’s nature that drives it to look out for its personal needs. It’s a survival mentality that keeps their eyes keen to areas of opportunities where a physical need can be met. When additional opportunities arose, its inclination is to hoard and not to share.

Just because you have a lot of nice things doesn’t mean you will automatically be inclined to have the heart of a giver. In fact, the opposite is often found to be true. That is because money is not the standard by which we measure our integrity. Some people think that the status of their material wealth is a result of the quantity of their faith. If they don’t have faith, they will be poor. If they have enough faith, they will be rich. I strongly believe this is anti-biblical. Let me explain.

Poverty is not always a result of personal sin. I think we all know and understand that sin brings suffering and pain. But consider our fearless friend Job. Ah yes! The man who had everything stripped from his hands only to be left with a wife that wanted him to curse God and die. Then his friends thought his trial was a direct result of his disobedience to God. But actually, God made it clear that Job’s trials were not a result of sin or disobedience, as He declared often that Job’s character was “perfect and upright.” Job 1:22 goes on to say, “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”

Suffering is actually promised for the one who takes up his cross and follows Jesus. If all suffering was a result of personal sin, then what about the missionaries who choose to labor in third world countries without ready access to basic essentials. Are they not exercising enough faith? I would say on the contrary. I mean, look at the life of Jesus. He chose to be homeless. He was born in a manger. He was a carpenter by trade. But did Jesus lack faith in God? Of course not. He chose to live in complete obedience to God no matter the material outcome. Now let’s flip the coin.

Prosperity is not always a result of personal obedience. It is a pure fact of biblical literacy that when we are obedient to God, God will bless us. But does this mean that God will make us rich if we keep the “Big Ten”?

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing,” (John 15:1-5).

By abiding in Christ, we in essence are tapping into all that He is and the blessings that He brings. But the real question is what kind of blessings? John 15:16 tells us, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain…”

The blessings that God gives are eternal. They are fruit that remain forever. This doesn’t mean He never blesses us with material things here on earth, it just simply means that whenever we are obedient to God, we cannot expect wealth and health by the world’s standards. But we can rest assured that if we steward what God has given us (no matter the quantity), we will obtain treasures in heaven “…where neither moth or dust doth corrupt and thieves do not break through nor steal,” (Matthew 6:20). Our lasting rewards are something the world cannot give or take away.

So, what’s my point? Material riches do not always reflect the heart of the individual. If poverty is not always a result of personal sin, and prosperity is not always a result of obedience, then it’s safe to conclude our financial status is not a pure reflection of who we are. Our goods never merit our godliness and our godliness will not always merit more goods.

Well, what about the Matthew 6:21? “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” Read it again carefully. It says nothing about the quantity of your treasure, but where you choose to put it. That is where you will find your heart. When you are a good steward of the blessings that God gives you, and your belongings have their proper place in your life, it is then that you will receive the blessings of a Christ-like heart and reap the fruits of the Spirit: “…love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22). Did you see that? Peace.

Power Only Belongs to the Rich

Some people are not as much enamored with wealth as the power that it claims to give. People want an elevated platform with a bird’s eye view of their kingdom. It is a scratching to the itch of being “on top of the world,” above the rest of the competition. Listen to what Sam Polk, a former Wall Street broker, said about his past profession:

“We’re smarter and work harder than everyone else, so we deserve all this money—for what it is: the rationalization of addicts. From a distance I can see what I couldn’t see then—that Wall Street is a toxic culture that encourages the grandiosity of people who are desperately trying to feel powerful.”

Our world is full of people who seek the power to control their lives. “If I were rich, I could go anywhere, see anything! I could live the life I’ve always wanted!”

If that is your way of thinking, you’re absolutely right. You could do a lot more: buy VIP tickets to the Super Bowl, buy the lake house you’ve always wanted, finally quit on your crummy boss that seems to overwork and underpay you.

You would have control of your life. But here is the question. Should you have control of your life?

The reality is that many Christians believe the lies of culture because they want to call the shots. Just because you have the power to make a decision, doesn’t mean you should. The moment you invited Jesus into your life, a war of the wills commenced. This is the battle of your flesh and God’s Holy Spirit. Only One may sit on the throne of your life. Whomever you allow to take the seat will be the one to whom you give the power to control every facet of your existence. But with power comes great responsibility. So, who is more responsible? You or the Holy Spirit? Well, let’s compare resumes.

Your heart is desperately wicked. You cannot trust your emotions. You do not have much power over your circumstances. You cannot change time and its effect on you. You cannot promise tomorrow. Your pride is all you have to live by without Jesus. Selflessness is often hard to come by. You cannot love unconditionally. Your mind and body become weak and tired. Restless is the best word that describes you when you don’t start your day with Jesus. You are not perfect (more on this later).

The Holy Spirit’s heart is pure. His instructions and wisdom can always be trusted. He has the power to change your life and circumstances. He is already in your tomorrow. He will not force His will on you. Selflessness is one of His most beautiful qualities. He is the great healer and redeemer of the soul. His love knows no bounds. In fact, He is love. He never sleeps or becomes tired. He is the originator and the giver of soul rest. He is indeed perfect in every way!

So, who are you going to trust to call the shots? It’s true, wealth will give you some control of your life, some power. But powerful kings have fallen because of deceiving counsel. You cannot expect the world to look you in the eye and tell you the truth. You cannot expect to look deep within your deceptive heart and find peace and rest. Just because it feels right in the moment, it doesn’t mean that it is right for the future. And come on! Who likes to be lied to? I don’t know about you, but I hate to be deceived or lied to. I feel cheated and abused. I feel worthless on the inside and foolish for ever trusting anyone again.

The world wants you to believe that power and control only belong to those who are wealthy. But the truth of the matter is, that some of the most powerless people in the world live in an abundance of riches. They have a lot of nice stuff, but only an empty heart to show for it. They spend the rest of their lives finding no real meaning and satisfaction. Why? Because they have believed the lie that rest will come in the security of their riches.

What lies of the world have you believed in regards to prosperity? What vain pursuit has become the anthem of your life?

If prosperity is not the answer for restlessness, then what is?

Oh I know, let’s get busy!

FOOTNOTES: