Anyone who has undergone any kind of adversity, knows that adversity tests whether or not we will turn tail and run, or stand up to life’s challenges as people of faith (cf. Acts 4:1-21; Acts 5:17-41).
One might think that the opposite of adversity is prosperity, but that’s not so. Rather, prosperity is a character test in disguise.
Scottish satirical writer Thomas Carlyle once wrote:
The Bible says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).
Dear reader, that’s a much more difficult commodity to come by than mere prosperity.
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
One might think that the opposite of adversity is prosperity, but that’s not so. Rather, prosperity is a character test in disguise.
Scottish satirical writer Thomas Carlyle once wrote:
“Adversity is sometimes hard upon a man, but for one man who can stand prosperity, there are a hundred that will stand adversity. Precious few are those who can keep their moral, spiritual, and financial equilibrium …. while balancing on the elevated tightrope of success” (source).Many times, a demotion is better than a promotion simply because when adversity strikes, life becomes rather simple. We have no choice but to stand up to it or give up. Prosperity, on the other hand, doesn’t seem like a test to us, and yet it often creates in us a sense of discontent. We crave more and more of what we have already have (Ecclesiastes 1:8; cf. Proverbs 27:20).
The Bible says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).
Dear reader, that’s a much more difficult commodity to come by than mere prosperity.
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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