I feel like there's a reason that Christianity grows the most during times of oppression and persecution.

I am sick of how we have allowed the "American dream" to infiltrate our churches and hearts.

I believe with a firm conviction that the prosperity gospel is a lie, and repulsive to most.

We hear so much these days in our churches and from our pastors that if we are seeking God, He will bless us, and we will live abundantly.  They tell us that He will more than provide for our needs, and because of that people will look at us and say "What God do you serve?!" in awe and astonishment.  Well, as far as I've seen, this isn't the case.

This idea of the prosperity gospel is effective for one thing: growing church numbers.  However, I will be the first to say that this idea of initial appeal became the very thing that I was repulsed by in the church and in my life.

I think that there is something deeper in a true Christianity that draws people.  

Let's look at this for a moment: Jesus' live was not an ideal one - He wasn't rich, and He didn't have everything, and what He did have He was more than willing to give up.  Actually, Jesus gave up HEAVEN when He came here.  He stepped out of eternity and into time, and laid down His live to save us.  So I ask this question: if God would allow His ONLY Son to die to save us that He so desperately loves, why would I not be willing to do the same?  Who's to say that He'll never ask that of us?  I don't think that these things are as far-fetched as one may think.  

I want to live that life.  I was repulsed by the idea that I would live "an abundant life," not because it doesn't sound good, but because when all is said and done, it doesn't matter.  I need something eternal and meaningful to live for.  I need to give my life to something, and as soon as I understood Christianity, I was sure this was it.  NO material possession matters to me, because I get the best thing that I could EVER imagine: I get God.  

I think that this is the reason that during persecution people are drawn to Christianity.  Instead of saying "Wow they're self-righteous AND they have everything!  Go them!" they see Christians give up everything for the sake of Christ, and are curious about what could possibly lead someone to do such a thing.  That is the mystery and the appeal of the gospel that I think so many of us overlook.  I believe so many more people are ready to live for something, for they are seeking the fulfillment that only God can bring.  Once they really know God, nothing else will matter, for all else pales compared to the gloriousness of our Saviour.  

So why don't we live like Jesus lived?  Like the apostles lived?  Like Paul lived?  Like so many martyrs before us lived?  Are we ready to give up everything for the sake of the gospel?  Would be really give our lives so that another might know the God we love?  Because if we fail to live like this, we will not see the growth that the church so desperately needs.  It's up to us to decide.  

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." -John 15:13

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.'" -Matthew 16:24-25

"Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, 'One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.' 

...

So Jesus answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life.'" -Mark 10:21, 29-30