In response to the last post about “Aren’t All Miracles From God?” I was wondering how does this fit in with when the Bible says “Every good thing comes down from the Father of Lights…” And in line with that also thinking, I have heard people say that riches and an easy life can be given to people as a curse/judgment from God. Thinking that, you know, hardship and trials brings out stronger character in us.
The verse you’re thinking of is James 1:17 which says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Notice it doesn’t say every good thing, but every good and perfect gift. In Matt. 7:21-23 Jesus called those who claimed to do miracles in his name evildoers, and said He never knew them. He didn’t dispute that they had done the miracles, but said they weren’t done out of a relationship with Him. That can only mean the miracles came from a different source.
What you’ve heard people say about riches is not consistent with Scripture. One lesson of the Old Testament is when Israel was being obedient they were prosperous, and deprivation was evidence of disobedience. In the New Testament Jesus said He came so we could have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10) and Paul wrote that we can be made rich in every way so we can be generous on every occasion (1 Cor. 9:11).