The End of the Christian Life: Lenten Study Companion, Week 5
Author: J. Todd Billings and Kaitlyn DeVries
March 19, 2026
The Way of Prosperity and the Christian Way
“But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.” – 2 Corinthians 4:7–12
Twelve new likes on a Facebook post. Two pounds down; thirteen to go! When will I get Employee of the Month, the next promotion, just a note of appreciation from my boss? As humans, created good and fallen in sin, we love visible signs of our own success. Creativity, cooperation, and hard work are, indeed, good gifts from God. But we easily twist acts of humble stewardship into signs of status. Whether we are pursuing a goal for our career or seeking to “change the world” for the good, we tend to take particular delight when our accomplishments are visible to others. We want to be recognized and given the honor and admiration that we think are due.
Sometimes we approach our prayers for health and healing in the same way. If we don’t see visible results of our prayers, if healing doesn’t happen in terms of a cure for illness or pain, we wonder if we are being faithful enough or if God really sees and knows.
In fact, we are recognized and beloved, in Christ. By the Spirit, we are embraced and our very bodies have become sanctuaries of the very presence of God. But the gospel of Jesus does not bestow a visible glory, at least not right now. Our bodies are good, but crumbling. Whether we lose the weight or get the promotion, whether we experience a cure or not, we do not always face visible victory, but what appears to be failure — in being “crushed,” “perplexed,” “persecuted,” and “struck down” (2 Cor. 4:8–9).
Indeed, this is the path of Lent — a path energized by hope in the crucified and risen Lord. The journey of Lent doesn’t take place in the promised land, but the wilderness. We taste the very presence of God — Jesus — the one who is the promised land in his own person. But he has not yet come again visibly, in fullness, to the earth. As we continue our pilgrimage, wealth and status and worldly accomplishments are not signs of the deepest forms of “flourishing.” Rather, in the wisdom of God, human flourishing has a cross-shaped character. In a strange and amazing way, Jesus himself becomes visible in weakness and mortal frailty.
Practice:
• Daily: If you know someone who is ill, pray for that person by name. But, rather than focusing on praying only for a cure, practice praying that the life of Jesus would be made visible in his or her life, even in the midst of illness.
• This Week: Consider areas of your life in which you’re looking for a visible sign of success. What would it look like to let go of that reward, at least for a time? If you’re on a diet, avoid stepping on the scale this week. If you post on social media, turn off your notifications. Try doing a “Random Act of Kindness” for a stranger who will never know it was you.
Prayer:
As you pray, consider that your body is like a clay jar. Take this time to offer your mortal flesh back to God, “so that the life of Jesus may also be visible in our bodies” (2 Cor. 4:11).
Study based on The End of the Christian Life, by J. Todd Billings. Used with permission.
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