In a USA Today Sports article Von Miller predicted that the Patriots would beat the Eagles in Super Bowl 52. The Broncos outside linebacker went on to say, “You need the football gods to bless you to beat the Patriots.” Well, it would seem the “football gods” were listening because the final score was Eagles, 41 Patriots, 33. Even though we smile at the notion of football gods sprinkling Vince Lombardi dust on the Eagles, I’ve heard well-meaning Christians make equally questionable statements like, “God blessed the Eagles with a Super Bowl win because they have some good Christians on the team.” Is that true? Did God “bless” the Eagles with a Super Bowl title because of the faith of head coach Doug Pederson, quarterbacks Carson Wentz, and Nick Foles, and many others on the team?
What about the countless other faithful Christian players in the NFL whose teams didn’t even make it to a playoff game? What about one of the most “famous” Christian football players in recent years, Tim Tebow? Despite his unfaltering and even “in your face” (or in his case “on his face” remember Phil 4:13 and John 3:16 eye tape?), proclamation of his faith in Jesus, He was basically cut from the NFL.
We must be faithful to let the Bible, rather than prosperity preachers, define what blessings are.
God did not bless the Christian players of the Philadelphia Eagles with a Super Bowl Title. Instead, he challenged them with it. Will they still see Jesus as more wonderful and fulfilling than anything in this life? Will they remain humble and dedicated husbands and fathers, understanding that this is their number one responsibility as godly men? Will they be content to seek first the kingdom of God, rather than build their own fame?
You see, Pagans and Christians win Super Bowls, therefore, it’s not an exclusive blessing for believers. It’s how Christians respond to the good and the bad things in life that determine whether or not they’ve received genuine blessings like faith, humility, joy, and contentment. We must be faithful to let the Bible, rather than prosperity preachers, define what blessings are.
(Photo: Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
