🌸 Why Chasing Prosperity Isn’t the Vibe, And What Following Jesus Really Looks Like

Hey beautiful soul,

Let’s talk about something that’s been trending in some spiritual circles but deserves a little side-eye: the prosperity doctrine. You’ve probably heard it before messages that say if you follow Jesus, you’ll get rich, stay healthy, and basically live your best life 24/7. Sounds tempting, right? But beneath the sparkle, there’s a spiritual trap that can leave your heart feeling empty and confused.

So let’s lovingly unpack why this doctrine can be harmful and how you can follow Jesus in a way that’s safe, biblical, and deeply nourishing to your soul.

💔 The Problem With Prosperity Doctrine

The prosperity gospel teaches that faith = fortune. That if you pray hard enough, tithe big enough, and believe strong enough, God will shower you with wealth, success, and perfect health. But here’s the truth: Jesus never promised a luxury lifestyle. He promised His presence, His peace, and His grace especially in hard times.

Here’s why this doctrine can hurt:

It makes suffering feel like failure. If you’re struggling financially or emotionally, you might feel like you’re doing faith “wrong.” That’s not true. Even Jesus wept. Even Paul was imprisoned.
It turns God into a vending machine. Prayer becomes a transaction, not a relationship. And that’s not love it’s manipulation.
It distracts from the real treasure. Spoiler alert: the real treasure is Jesus Himself, not the stuff He can give you.

📖 What the Bible Actually Says About Following Jesus

Let’s get back to the roots. Following Jesus isn’t about chasing blessings it’s about becoming more like Him. And that means embracing humility, compassion, and trust, even when life gets messy.

Here are some biblical truths that are safe and soul-soothing:

Matthew 6:33 – “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Focus on God’s heart, not your wishlist.
Philippians 4:12-13 – “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty… I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
Your strength isn’t in your status it’s in your Savior.
Luke 9:23 – “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Following Jesus means surrender, not self-promotion.

🌿 How to Follow Jesus in a Healthy, Biblical Way

Here’s how you can walk with Jesus without falling into the prosperity trap:

✨ Cultivate a quiet faith. You don’t need flashy miracles to know God is near. He’s in your morning coffee, your journal pages, your late-night prayers.

✨ Serve others. Jesus washed feet. You can serve with love, whether it’s helping a friend move, volunteering, or just being a good listener.

✨ Stay rooted in Scripture. Not just the feel-good verses, but the ones that challenge you, stretch you, and remind you that grace is enough.

✨ Pray for closeness, not cash. Ask God to draw you nearer, not just to fix your problems. That’s where the real healing begins.

✨ Find community. Surround yourself with believers who value depth over display. Your faith walk isn’t meant to be a solo hike.

✨ Read the Word daily. Fill yourself with God’s love, wisdom and gift, he has given us a perfect text that tells us how to follow his way.

✨ Join a Bible based church. Look for a pastor and congregation that is focused on biblical learning not modern or trendy interpretations. A pastor should know biblical history, what the original text meant in greek and hebrew and he should be able to explain to you the Biblen in a way that glorifies God, and without exalting himself.

✨ Baptism. Baptism by water, and by fire. By water shows commitment, and by fire is through the Holy Spirit, which enters through faith and acceptance of Jesus Christ as the true Son of God, and Savior.

💖 Final Thoughts

You are already loved. Already chosen. Already enough. You don’t need to hustle for heaven or earn God’s favor with your bank account. Jesus didn’t come to make you rich He came to make you whole.

So let’s ditch the glittery gospel and embrace the gritty, gorgeous truth: that following Jesus is about love, surrender, and transformation. And that’s way more powerful than any prosperity promise.

With grace and glitter,
Brittney @livemindfulee