Eight years ago I became a follower of Christ, but I made some bad decisions and stopped following Him. A year ago I renewed my relationship with Him as my Lord, and since that time I’ve made changes in my life that have been very good for me and my family.

I have a small business, and I don’t feel like it’s progressing or prospering yet. I know that it’s not God’s fault, but I’d like to know if it’s that there’s something in me... that is blocking the blessings and the presence of God.

Dear Friend,

Congratulations on your decision to follow Christ! It is great to hear that you recognize that your relationship with Christ has made a positive difference in your family!

Your question is a good one, but it does not have a simple answer. We are happy to hear that you did not decide to follow Christ just so that your business would prosper. Unfortunately, some people believe that being a follower of Christ automatically means that God will make them healthy, wealthy, and wise. If that were true, almost everyone would choose to follow Christ with the ulterior motive of getting all that they ever wanted.

Other people believe that, if they follow Christ and also do everything according to God’s laws written in the Bible, God is obligated to prosper them economically and give them a safe and secure life.

To know whether that is true, we don’t need to look any further than Jesus Christ’s disciples. They abandoned everything to follow Him. Did they become wealthy? Did they live safe and secure lives? The Bible tells us that King Herod executed James, the brother of John.1 And the writings of the Church tell us that most of the other disciples were martyred as well. There is no record that any of them ever became wealthy.

So what does God promise those of us who follow Christ? He promises that our sins will be forgiven and that we will have eternal life in heaven.2 Christ Himself promised that He would give us internal peace in spite of our circumstances.3 Even though many people get confused as to the difference between a need and a want, we are promised that He will meet all our needs.4

Jesus said that our Heavenly Father knows what we need, but that we should “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”5 This verse gives us the answer to your question. Don’t worry about the fact that your business is not all that you would like it to be. Instead, make every effort to be righteous. In other words, do what is right in your personal life and in your business.

Treat employees and customers fairly and honestly, and pay all the taxes that you owe. Care about other people and their needs, so the love of God may be seen when people look at you. Make sure that your attitude and actions are pleasing to God whether you are at home, on the street, or in your business. Do your best, and ask God to show you how to make needed changes.

We wish you the best,

Linda
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1 Ac 12:2
2 Ro 6:23
3 Jn 14:27
4 Php 4:19
5 Mt 6:33

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