But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:44-45
“The most important question is this: What use is made of the things thought to be blessings, and of the things reputed evil? The good man is not exalted by this world’s goods; nor is he overwhelmed by this world’s ills. The bad man is punished by misfortune of this kind just because he is corrupted by good fortune.
However, it often happens that God shows more clearly His manner of working in the distribution of good and bad fortune. For if punishment were obviously inflicted on every wrongdoing in this life, it would be supposed that nothing was reserved for the last judgment; on the other hand, if God’s power never openly punished any sin in this world, there would be an end to belief in providence.
Similarly in respect of good fortune; if God did not grant it to some petitioners with manifest generosity, we should not suppose that these temporal blessings were His concern, while if He bestowed prosperity on all just for the asking, we might think that God was to be served merely for the sake of rewards, and any service of Him would prove us not godly but rather greedy and covetous.
This being so, when the good and the wicked suffer alike, the identity of their sufferings does not mean that there is no difference between them. Though the sufferings are the same, the sufferers remain different. Virtue and vice are not the same, even if they undergo the same torment.
The fire which makes gold shine makes chaff smoke; the same flail breaks up the straw and clears the grain; and oil is not mistaken for lees because both are forced out by the same press. In the same way, the violence which assails good men to test them, to cleanse and purify them, effects in the wicked their condemnation, ruin, and annihilation.
Thus the wicked, under pressure of affliction, execrate God and blaspheme; the good, in the same affliction, offer up prayers and praises. This shows that what matters is the nature of the sufferer, not the nature of the sufferings. Stir a cesspit, and foul stench arises; stir a perfume, and a delightful fragrance ascends. But the movement is identical.”
Augustine of Hippo (354-430) in City of God, Book 1, Chapter 8: “Blessings and disasters often shared by good and bad” (New York: Penguin, 1972) 13-14.
While some people listen to podcasts, I prefer to read Augustine. He was a prolific communicator who makes sense of life in God.
This week had many highs and lows for us. Daughter settling into her new R.A. role at college (high). Son had his vehicle die (low). I am nearing completion of a draft of another book manuscript (high). Jenni has been sick for nearly four weeks (low). I could go on an on.
Perhaps you can relate. Friends, we are here to give others the gift of perspective, whether in prosperity or suffering.
Father in heaven, by your Holy Spirit, make us people who are neither exalted by this world’s goods, nor overwhelmed by this world’s ills, so that we celebrate your providence, reflect your generosity, and receive joyfully both blessing and suffering, which are all for our good. Hear our gratitude, we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.