The gospel is filled with admonitions about accumulating the riches of God. God wants us to prosper. But God wants us to prosper in a manner that will never fade.
There is a false prosperity gospel that says “You can be (earthly) rich if you get God to listen to you.” The true prosperity gospel is that we can have infinite riches, all the gold we want, by listening to God. This is a lasting treasure, not just mammon.
Since God’s rewards are beyond our comprehension, we try to whittle the riches of God down to something we can grasp. Something more intellectually and physically tangible. Something more immediate. In essence, something smaller.
If we hear His voice and open the door, He will enter into an intimate relationship with us. This is the sort of intimacy only shared among close friends and relatives. This intimacy is the source of true riches. All the gold we want, straight from God. Intimate relationship with him is the path to our greatest treasure.
This verse was written by Jesus to those he loves. It can apply to anyone. But it is written to His children. Our Perfect Father does not rebuke and chasten other people’s children. He rebukes and chastens His children.
He ends this passage with a promise. If we respond, He will come in and dine with us. He is ready and willing. He’s just waiting for an invitation. Listening to Jesus in intimate fellowship is the path to true prosperity. This is truly good news. Infinite riches available to all. It just requires a true perspective about what it means to be rich.
“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
– Revelation 3:18-21