Tag Archives: Eternal Perspective.

God Does Not Promote Everyone

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There are many among us whom God does not promote in this world—not because He does not love us, but because He knows that promotion in this life could lead to pride, self-reliance, or a distraction from His eternal purposes. God’s timing and plan for our growth often involve waiting and humility, as He seeks to prepare us spiritually, build our character, and protect us from the dangers of seeking glory in our own strength. Ultimately, His desire is for us to depend on Him and align with His will—not for our own advancement, but for His glory and the service of others.

Biblically, it is always true that “The LORD makes poor and rich; He brings low, He also exalts” (1 Sam 2:7). We, in our human nature, often long for the high places—the rich, the exalted, the honored. Yet, the vast majority of us, as God’s people walking in His will, often find ourselves among the poor and the lowly in this world. As followers of Christ, our focus must not be on securing our place in this world, but on seeking His will and His glory, regardless of our earthly position. In the end, it is not where we stand in this world that matters, but whether we stand in His will. Let us remember that Jesus, though suffering and dying on the cross, was fully within God’s will (Luke 22:42; John 10:18). Paul, likewise, remained in God’s will even while imprisoned for the sake of the gospel (Acts 21:11-14; Phil 1:12-14). John, exiled on the island of Patmos, was exactly where God wanted him to be (Rev 1:9), and Peter, though persecuted and bound in chains, was faithfully walking in God’s will (Acts 12:1-5). Indeed, it is God’s will that all who desire to live godly lives will face suffering in this world (2 Tim 3:12). In all these examples, we see that God’s will is not defined by the absence of hardship, but by knowing and living His Word by faith, and maintaining an unwavering commitment to seek His glory above all else, no matter the cost.

God’s Word does not promise us health, wealth, or prosperity as guarantees in this life. Rather, it emphasizes the value of humility, contentment, and the proper use of whatever resources God entrusts to us. In many cases, God uses poverty as a means of spiritual growth and deepened dependence on Him. Paul explains that godliness with contentment is great gain, and he urges that if we have food and clothing, we should be content (1 Tim 6:6-8). He also warns us that those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare (1 Tim 6:9). The focus is on humble dependence on God, regardless of our material circumstances. Paul himself spoke of learning to be content in any situation—whether in abundance or in need—as he had come to depend on God alone, regardless of whether he had much or little (Phil 4:11-13). James reminds us that God chose “the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him” (Jam 2:5). Ultimately, whether God calls us to remain poor or allows us to have wealth, our focus must remain on faithfulness, humility, and dependence on Him. Wealth or poverty, in and of itself, is not the issue; what matters is how we respond to God’s sovereignty over our lives. In some cases, God may allow—or even ordain—that we remain poor in order to keep us humble, dependent on Him, and focused on eternal treasures rather than material gain (Matt 6:19-21).

In conclusion, true promotion in life comes from the Lord, and it is always in accordance with His perfect will and timing. It is not achieved through self-promotion or manipulation, but through faithfulness, humility, and a steadfast reliance on God. We are called to trust in His sovereignty and allow Him to exalt us in His time. Whether He grants us wealth or poverty, success or hardship, the ultimate goal is to grow spiritually, remain humble, and depend fully on His provision. As we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will take care of the rest, promoting us in ways that align with His eternal purposes. Let us focus not on climbing the ladder of worldly success, but on honoring God in whatever circumstances He places us, knowing that His rewards are far greater than anything this world can offer.

Dr. Steven R. Cook

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Beyond Self-Interest: Embracing Disadvantage for the Blessing of Others

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Jesus Healing SickThe more I understand biblical Christianity, the more I think our advance to maturity involves being willingly disadvantaged that others might receive an advantage. To be voluntarily disadvantaged means I am deprived of something so that others might gain an asset, an edge, a benefit, or an opportunity they might not have otherwise. This is charitable on my part, in which I give for the benefit of others. This is how Jesus lived, as He said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Jesus voluntarily gave His life on the cross that others might obtain what they could not receive by any other means; forgiveness of sins and eternal life. What was a disadvantage to Him resulted in a benefit to us.

The purpose of Jesus’ sacrifice was to result in forgiveness and salvation to humanity, granting us an advantage or opportunity for eternal life with God. From this perspective, it can be said that Jesus voluntarily assumed a position of disadvantage by taking on human form, enduring suffering, and ultimately sacrificing His life so that we might have an advantage, which is the opportunity for forgiveness, salvation, and reconciliation with God. When we embrace this way of thinking, it will become more natural for us to think of others over self. Paul wrote, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil 2:3-4).

Too often we ask, “What’s in it for me?” or “What do I get out of this?” When it comes to loving others in the biblical sense, we should not ask what others can do for us, but what we can do for others, that they might be blessed through our sacrifice and service. This way of thinking is completely antithetical to our fallen human natures and the values of the world. What I’m describing is virtue love; a love that is thoughtful, sacrificial, and constantly thinks of how others might be edified, encouraged, or built up in some way. Examples might include giving of our time to arrive early at church to make sure everything is clean before others arrive, or speaking a kind word to a discouraged heart, or giving of our finances to support a growing Christian ministry, or working extra hours to help a coworker succeed, or giving up our lunch hour to mow a widows overgrown yard, or to sacrifice a vacation to help a struggling family with food, rent, or auto repair.

This way of living gives and expects nothing in return. It looks for those who are so impoverished that they cannot repay. Jesus said, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:12-14). There’s nothing wrong with entertaining and caring for family and friends; however, we should not be concerned only with these, but also with serving the less fortunate. We should be intentional about helping “orphans and widows in their distress” (Jam 1:27), because it is right in God’s sight to help to the needy. Those who live this way will be “rich toward God” (Luke 12:21), will “store up treasures in heaven” (Matt 6:20), and will hear the words of the Lord, “Well done, good and faithful slave” (Matt 25:21).

Dr. Steven R. Cook

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The Eternal-Now

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       Everything we experience in this life is designed to prepare us for the life we will come to know when we leave this world and enter into God’s eternal presence. The challenge before us, especially during times of suffering, is to view all aspects of life in the light of eternity. We must constantly live in the eternal-now, never divorcing our current experiences from our eternal destiny that is assured to us who are in Christ. The apostle Peter tells us “to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation” (1 Pet 4:13). The apostle Paul shares a similar mindset when he says, “for I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom 8:18); for “momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” (2 Cor 4:17). Suffering becomes bearable when we see it in the proper context of eternity to which we belong right now. I say we belong to eternity “right now” because as Christians, we possess eternal life at the very moment we believe in Christ as Savior (John 10:28). Eternal life is not what we can have, but what we have at the moment of salvation. However, it is only when we leave this world and all its sorrows and enter into the presence of God in heaven that eternal life has its greatest experiential expression. The flow of time ceases at death, and all life’s sufferings associated with this world come to an end when we pass into eternity. More so, at the end of time itself, God will put an end to all suffering and evil when He destroys the existing universe and earth and creates a new universe and new earth (Rev 21:1). At such a time “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes [believers who have suffered]; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Rev 21:4). Until then, we must look to the Lord and live by faith. (excerpt from, Suffering: A Biblical Consideration, p. 18-19)

Dr. Steven R. Cook

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