Suffer or Prosper? It’s Both
May 15th, 2007 | Michael Pink
Suffering is part of life, but it is not all of life for most of us. I have had my share of suffering and I know that it is not over, though I wish it were. And in our suffering, there is sweet fellowship with our Savior, if we will choose it and that fellowship seems to mitigate the damage done and even give us a return.
Personally, I think the stuff is going to hit the fan one day soon and when it does we may well experience persecution for our beliefs and other forms of suffering we collectively have tried to not think about. A lot of folks think we are going to be zipped out of here before things get bad. I say… think again.
But the way I see it, the sun is shining at the moment even though the storm clouds are gathering. I say, let’s make hay while the sun shines. Let’s take advantage of whatever window of opportunity we have and press into our calling like there’s no tomorrow, because one day, there won’t be. And as we press in to our business callings, let’s gain all the capital we can, all the influence we can and leverage that in the cause of our King.
We will suffer. That’s a promise to all those who live godly, but we can also expect to prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers. Right now, we have the opportunity to prosper. Let’s do that. There will be plenty of suffering to go around down the road. Let’s not bring it unnecessarily into the present.
May 16th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Amen! Our ability to influence is often limited by lack of capital. I’m in the mortgage business which is currently experiencing a shift. What a testimony it will be for us to flourish a beacon for doing business the right way and glorify our Father which is in heaven. What men will pay attention to is not just that we are good and ethical. But rather, they’ll first be drawn drawn to size and profitabiltiy before they see the goodness. It’s then that we have platform influence and large scale change.
May 16th, 2007 at 9:15 am
“A lot of folks think we are going to be zipped out of here before things get bad. I say%u2026 think again.”
This was a good post, and especially the quote above. I see so many waiting and waiting and waiting some more to be delivered, when there is much to be appreciated (and done) here, in the present. Also at issue is our focus, when it is merely about getting out and saving our own skins we forgot others in the process. Being heavenly minded is good, if one is still of some earthly good. What I see is that you’re attempting to get others to understand BALANCE. What a concept! We need to see the future with HIM, while operating in the present. Keep up the blessings and thank you for them.
May 16th, 2007 at 9:40 am
Suffering is not always a form of desperation. Look at the life of Job. He, greatest in his land at the time, was put to suffering for God’s purpose and to His glory. In suffering we grow deeper, we rely and Christ’s compassion and understanding and leadership. Suffering is not wanted, but without it, where do we grow, how do we extend beyond ourselves into greater communion with God? Fear of suffering only leads to despair. Embracing what God brings before us build character and hope. I say we embrace suffering, not ask for it, but understand that it is a part of life. The part of life that shows who we are, not how fast we can run. Now in the end, look at Job, because of his character, he prospered with even greater reward. That’s our potential… in Christ!
May 16th, 2007 at 10:16 am
Thanks for the blog today. I have had some very adverse months recently. Yet through all of the suffering I have sure know sweet fellowship with Christ. I can now call Him my Redeemer, friend, and Bridegroom. Without the suffering in my life I would not have had motivation and opportunity to draw nearer to Him. I certainly did not choose the course that my life took but am eternally grateful for the outcome of what has happened and the growth in my life. I agree that we are not going to be zipped out of here. Yet, as I have looked more into Scripture and as the Holy Spirit has been teaching me there is great comfort in the midst of great tribulation. For some it will be a strengthing and for some it will be a terrible time of fear and dispair. Another reminder that each day we have choices set before us, blessings or curses. HIS way or our own way or the way of the world. May the LORD continue to transform us.
May 16th, 2007 at 10:37 am
Michael,
The Psalmist says “It is good for me that I suffer that I might learn your statues”. Psalm 119:71. It only matters how we handle suffering when it comes. When non Christians see us suffering, they wait and see how we handle it. We have not been doing a very good job because most of us act just like the world. We must remember that the love of Christ triumphs over all misery. Romans 8:38-39.
Not all Christians will prosper monetarily here on earth. No matter how many times we claim certain verses God has other plans for some. We must put our hope in God and trust Him in all of our circumstances. We must take up the cross dialy and and sometimes that means suffering. Sometimes we will have peace and prosperity but remember God can take it away anytime.
May 16th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Suffering in the context of discipling the nations reminds me of “for the joy set before him, he endured the shame of the cross.” The joy set before us is the freedom we can facilitate in the people of the world. Suffering just to suffer is futile. But suffering in the context of fulfilling our destiny brings glory to God and results in not getting people saved (only God does that) but as it says in Heb 6 moving past the foundations into our full inheritance.
This is a call to steward the earth as servants - with no sphere left out.
If you don’t tend the garden it gets full of weeds.
May 16th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
I’ve been going through some suffering myself. We all have our own type of suffering, some with illness, some with loss, some with lack. It causes me to think of those christians who do have wealth, and what suffering they may have endured, because at some point they have. Whether it be less time with family, working with integrity when no one else does and getting picked on for it, not complaining when there are many reasons to do so, etc. These are characteristics of a christian, and when we prosper in the marketplace, there will be those who ask us how and why, which opens the door to preach Christ.
May 16th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Very good! This is the kind of balance that is needed in the body of Christ. We need to embrace suffering as part of our inheritance (Phil 1:29, 1 Peter 4:13), while at the same time seeking to prosper in all things (3 John 1:2). Being effective and influential for the Kingdom of God is to be able to say with Paul, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:11-13)
June 29th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
your comment is true it does develope character you say that someday there will be a zoom it will be all over I do not believe we will see it in our day and time. But because we believe it and if we believe it then why are we not preparing for it .
Meaning the idea is to bring life back into the church. If you ask someone what a church is you will get a different aray of answers . I look at church as a hospital to help the wounded and prepare them for so that they can not can not get hurt anyone . Are we really doing that there is so much desentioning in the church who wants to go there alot time like myself you get hurt event worse than when you came in.
One of the things we have overlooked as the total body is the strength of the small churches in this country .There are alot of annointed pastor and preacher that need help growing there churchs. The christians leaders , the pillars of christian business are overlooking the promotion and implementation of getting the total church body strong. A small church business organizatin that sole job is to analyze help raise money and get these churchs strong. Focusing in on building the full body Meaning start paying attention to the small churchs because when the Zoom does come will we will be prepared. If we are suffering now just image what will happen as the enemy intensify the attack there pain and deprivation felt will be like no felt before. it will be so great that people will have no place to go or turn except for Christ and his home.
There should be an assembly of great business men forming a ministry to protect these churchs a desernment committee reporting back over the churchs ministries there music program ect stepping in to get them ready Jeasus tells us to prepare for opportunity well someday soon we will be given the opportunity to save lives on massive scales and brother we are not prepared at all. We should focusing one church at a time . Doing the best that we can do. Bring unity back fast into the body of chrst before it is to late. Help these pastors and preacher who are struggling who God annointed. With your great minds have come great results we have to put them to work on protecting and strengthing the body. Christian Business people have everything they need be proactive as you are in every other ventrue you have conqued get the churchs strong.
We are dropping the ball we have pointed fingers at other denominations for so long that church is does not have the strength it should have.
Where in the bible does it talk about denominations. Let God make the judgement of who is doing right and who is doing it wrong. Stop pointing fingers and lets work as a body attacking the major issues in this world can you image what kind of impact we could make if we just worked togather pulled all our resources and made an all out assault on problems in todays world. That why I believe the business man and woman are good candiates to launch this because through all of the success in business God instill in them all things are possible and most if not all have seen the unending of doing gods will through miricles in there lives. You people have the wisdom to attack and address this issue.
Seriously look at christians and most of our churchs is it not a farse meaning the head the brains are the church is still in tach meaning God is still in control but it the body of christ that is a mess. A real mess. Truthly I am not trying to critsize anybody I just saying pay attention with the gift god has given us the Holy Sprirt to let us see with spirtiual eyes and ears. I am far from perfect but I am compelled to write this message. I hate to think what could happen if we are not prepared and we are not. Address each major issue we face as a body and we will win. One issue at a time one church at a time. Bring back the unification of the Body. Come up with creative ideas how we can do this put out a shout out for ideas and get to work.
You Have brilliant minds in business now attack the real problem building the strength of the source where we get our wealth and our healing and our love and at the end our salvation the churchs. If you aggressively go after this major issue in this country and the world I know have seen it to ofen God will take care of those who have decided to take on the monemental task .The problem of churches being to weak wont just go away it will only get worse everytihing starts with a seed pray over these comment if the statements do not come alive for you.Then I am sorry I wasted your time.
The most interesting part of this writting to you is I am hindered with a serve learning disability for reading and writing pleas excuse the grammatical errors and the spelling mistakes it just like when we recieve a gift for christmas it not the gift and how well it wrapped or how much money it cost it about the thought behind it Think about what I have typed to you let God speak before it is too.. late.
This sounds crazy I know but it truth and the truth will set us free.
We are in trouble and we as the body of christ are not prepared to handle what is about ready to happen. Talk about the issue of suffering when it comes and it will. Remember this writing. Christians have been in the postion of the tale for two long. IF more Christian entrepuers who had true hearts for giving the and buy giving the secular business world would be come running for answers people will be looking answers and peace the first place they will look for is the finical safe haven they have always looked towards, that wont be the answer so where will they look in the direction of the church but with without education and strength just as the bible knowledge and strength we will be in just as bad a shape as they are. A a redundant statement I made previously brother the way it stands when they come looking we are not ready. when things start falling apart where are people going to go the church. Pray over this. Let god enlighten you. Put those minds and start coming up with rescues mission to strengthen not the mega church but the ones out in the desert waiting for help. Just as moses was waiting for God to part the sea.
I ask God forgiveness if I am wrong. Just Look and Just Do It.
Love a Christian Brother who is grateful for what you have done in the business world. and the insight you have provided for so many people.