Wait. . .So Blessing Isn’t the Goal? Let’s Talk Prosperity, Purpose + Joseph

Okay, real talk. 

Have you ever had one of those seasons where everything feels… good? Like, amazing good??! 

Your skin’s finally cooperating, your besties aren’t fighting, your grades are up, and maybe—just maybe—that crush actually smiled at you in the hallway?

You’re vibing. 

Life’s soft. 

The aesthetic is giving.

And somewhere deep down, you think: 

"Wow. God must be really happy with me right now. I must be doing everything right. Look at all these blessings!”

But then the season shifts.

The calm starts to fade.

Drama rolls back in.

That grade takes a hit.

A friend ghosts.

And suddenly you’re left wondering… 

“Wait… did I mess up? Did God change His mind about me? Was God only good when life was good?

Today, we’re talking about something that might make you squirm a little but is SO important: what do we do with blessing?

This is the emotional rollercoaster we ALL ride sometimes—and today?

We’re going there!

We’re gonna bust open the Prosperity Gospel myth, look at Joseph’s life in a season of abundance, and answer the question:

What is prosperity really for?

Because listen, bestie—blessing isn’t the reward. It’s the responsibility.

Well WHAT IS UP MY GLITTER SQUAD? Welcome back to the podcast! 

I am literally SO pumped you showed up. 

Whether this is your first time or you’ve been here since Episode 1, consider this a giant virtual high-five and a “you belong here” moment. 

This podcast is your space to laugh, get real, and grow in your faith while navigating the wild ride of teen life. Friendships, school, crushes, family stuff—you name it, we talk it. 

We’re gonna laugh, think, and even roll our eyes at all the teen chaos, but we’ll do it together.

So grab your headphones, settle in, maybe grab a cozy blanket, your goofiest socks, a snack, whatever makes you feel like you’re about to have the best chat ever, because that’s exactly what we’re about to do.

Alright, before we dive into all the Bible goodness, it’s time for our favorite little tradition: Funny Confessions. 

And if you’re new here and you’re like, “Wait… what’s Funny Confessions?”—let me fill you in. 

This is a season 2 thing where we laugh at ourselves, spill the awkward or hilarious stuff that happens in real life, and remind ourselves that faith doesn’t have to be stiff or serious all the time. 

Life is messy, life is weird, and sometimes life is painfully cringey. So instead of crying over spilled milk—or, you know, scrolling through your feed and comparing yourself to literally everyone—let’s just laugh about it together.

Here’s mine this week. 

I have this exact routine when my alarm goes off in the morning. I hit snooze, sit up, stretch, wiggle my toes, and tap my phone like I’m negotiating with it. I whisper these tiny motivational speeches to myself—“You got this… just five more minutes”—even though I already know I’m going to hit snooze again. 

Somehow, this ritual makes getting out of bed feel like a tiny victory instead of a complete tragedy. By the third round, my brain feels like it’s won a battle against the cruel tyranny of morning, and honestly… it kind of has.

Alright, now that we’ve laughed at my ridiculous alarm snooze ritual, let’s get real. That little morning routine? Honestly, it’s kinda like what we do with blessings sometimes. 

We get them, we freak out a little, we try to “handle them the right way,” and sometimes we convince ourselves that if we do everything perfectly, God will hand us a gold star. 

And that, my friend, is exactly what people are talking about when they mention the prosperity gospel.

Now, don’t panic—I’m gonna break it down super simple. 

In the simplest terms, the prosperity gospel is the idea that God will bless you with good stuff—money, success, popularity, even a “perfect” life—if you follow all the rules and do all the “right” things. 

Sounds appealing, right? 

I mean, who wouldn’t want a life that looks aesthetic and drama-free just because they’re faithful? 

But here’s the catch… it can make us start measuring our faith by what we get instead of how we actually live. 

And we all know that leads to stress, guilt, and those “why me?” moments when life gets messy.

Take a second—think about a time you thought life would be perfect if you did everything “right.” 

Go ahead, visualize it. 

What happened? 

Did it actually go the way you planned? 

Hold onto that thought. We’re coming back to it.

Let me tell you a little story from my own life. 

Recently, I was feeling stressed, anxious over the podcast and life, and what did I do? 

Yep… went on a shopping spree.  

Not even because I needed anything—I swear, my brain just thought, “Yup, this will fix everything!” 

Of course, after I got home, total guilt. And then I caught myself thinking… if I return all of it, God will see me, reward me, pat me on the back for good stewardship. 

That’s literally the prosperity gospel in action: thinking God’s blessing is a reward for our “right” actions. 

And spoiler alert: that’s not how He works.

The Bible—and Joseph’s story in particular—shows us something so much better. 

Blessings aren’t about earning points with God. 

They’re tools He gives us to steward, not trophies to admire. 

They’re responsibilities. 

They’re invitations.

So grab your Bible, or open your app, and picture this: Genesis 41:47–49. Joseph is finally out of survival mode. 

He’s second-in-command in Egypt. 

Everything is going right. 

No prison, no betrayal, no fear… just abundance. 

Here’s what it says:

“During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly, and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. He put in every city the food from the fields around it. And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured.”

Okay, pause. Let’s zoom in here for a sec. Joseph just went from prison to palace. He’s living the dream—power, respect, good food, the whole vibe. And it says the land produced so much that the grain couldn’t even be counted. Like, imagine your pantry overflowing with Takis, Hot Cheetos, and Dr. Pepper to the point where you can’t even shut the door. That’s the kind of abundance we’re talking about.

Now, here’s where we need to get real. Because when we read a story like this, it’s easy to think:

“Ohhh, so if I follow God, He’ll hook me up too. I’ll get the grades, the friends, the cute outfits, the drama-free life. Joseph followed God, and look—he’s THRIVING. That must be how it works!”

And bestie… that thought? That’s actually part of something called the Prosperity Gospel.

Let me break it down middle-school style:The Prosperity Gospel is basically the idea that if you’re good enough, faithful enough, pray enough, and follow the rules enough, God will reward you with all the good stuff. Money, success, perfect vibes, glow-ups—all of it.

Sounds nice, right? Like a cosmic vending machine—put in obedience, push A7, and out comes the blessing.

But here’s the problem: life doesn’t actually work like that. And God doesn’t work like that either.

If you start believing the Prosperity Gospel, you’ll run into two big problems:

1. When life is good, you’ll think: “God must love me more right now.”

2. When life is bad, you’ll panic: “Wait… did I mess up? Did God forget me?”

Both are lies.

Joseph’s story proves it. Because yes, he had years of abundance—but he also had years of betrayal, slavery, and prison. And God was with him in all of it, not just the highlight reel.

So, what is prosperity then? If it’s not a trophy for being a “good Christian,” what is it?

Prosperity is a tool.It’s God saying, “I’m giving you this—now, how will you use it?”

Joseph didn’t get all that grain so he could flex on Instagram or take victory laps around Egypt.

He was blessed so that he could bless others. His abundance wasn’t about making his life easier—it was about preparing to save millions of people from famine.

Let’s pull this into your world for a sec.

👉 Scenario 1: You studied hard, and you actually aced the math test. Prosperity moment! But the question isn’t, “Wow, God must love me so much today.” The real question is: “How do I steward this? Could I help a friend who’s struggling? Could I tutor someone who’s nervous for the next test?”

👉 Scenario 2: Your parents finally let you host the Friday night hangout. Blessing! But it’s not about showing off your house or your snack game. It’s a chance to create a safe space, to make everyone feel included, to encourage instead of gossip.

👉 Scenario 3: You got picked for the team captain role. Prosperity moment! But it’s not about popularity points. It’s about leading with kindness, checking in on the quiet teammate, setting the tone for the group.

See how this flips it? Prosperity isn’t the reward—it’s the responsibility.

And here’s where we bring it back to those “I thought” moments. You know them:

• “I thought if I prayed harder, God would make my crush like me back.”

• “I thought if I was nice to everyone, no one would ever talk behind my back.”

• “I thought if I studied and prayed, I’d never fail.”

But God’s plan isn’t to hand you a drama-free life like a wrapped gift. His plan is to shape you into someone who can handle both the highs and the lows—someone who uses blessings with wisdom and clings to Him in the mess.

So next time you get a little abundance—big or small—ask yourself:

“What would Joseph do with this? How can I use it, not just enjoy it?”

Because bestie, prosperity isn’t the end goal. Jesus is.

Okay, so we just talked about Joseph and how prosperity isn’t the reward—it’s the responsibility. And I know, that’s a little mind-blowing at first. But let’s connect it to another story that totally shows the “I thought” vibe: let’s take a little field trip to Matthew 19:16–26. 

You know this guy—the Rich Young Ruler. He’s like the ultimate straight-A student, perfect attendance, probably the kid everyone calls “responsible.” He walks up to Jesus and goes:

“Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?”

And Jesus? He’s like, “Keep the commandments, you know the rules.” 

And the guy’s like, “Yep, done all of them. Check, check, check.”

But then Jesus drops the twist: “If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have, give to the poor, and follow me.”

Pause. Imagine hearing that. 

You did everything right. 

You followed all the rules. 

And now the Teacher is like, “Cool, now give away your stuff and follow me.”

So what does he do? He walks away sad.

Here’s the connection: he thought doing everything right would make life easier, smoother, or safer. 

But following Jesus? 

Sometimes it costs what you think you need most. 

And that? 

That’s the total opposite of the Prosperity Gospel idea. 

Blessings aren’t a guarantee of comfort, popularity, or zero drama. 

They’re tools to be used wisely, to love, serve, and grow, not just rewards for being “good.”

And speaking of using what you’ve been given… let’s get into how this actually looks in real life, because Joseph and the Rich Young Ruler are great stories, but we’re here to figure out how to live this out in the real world.

So, let’s talk about blessings in everyday life. And no, I’m not just talking about big wins like acing a test or winning an award. 

Prosperity shows up in smaller, sneakier ways too—and that’s where stewardship really comes in.

For example:

Friends & Influence: Maybe you notice someone in your group getting ignored, left out, or bullied. You could scroll past, or… you could step up. A kind word, including them in a chat, defending them—these are blessings you already have: your voice, your courage, your influence. Using them wisely? That’s stewardship.

Your Talents: Maybe you’re amazing at drawing, singing, sports, writing, or even just being the friend people trust with their secrets. Those aren’t just “fun perks”—they’re tools. Could you use your skill to inspire someone, encourage a friend, or make someone’s day better?

Time & Energy: Got a free afternoon or even just a quiet moment in class? That’s a blessing too! Instead of scrolling endlessly, could you check in on a friend, journal, pray, or create something positive? Those small choices add up.

Resources You Already Have: Maybe it’s money, books, clothes, or snacks. You don’t have to hoard them. Could you share a book, help a friend with a project, or even just lend something someone needs? It’s like a mini-Joseph moment—you’re using what God gave you to bless others.

See how it all connects? Prosperity isn’t about keeping everything for yourself. It’s about noticing what you have and asking: “How can I use this to bless someone else or glorify God?”

And I promise, this isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about taking the small steps you can take.

Alright, grab your journal, sticky note, or phone notes. Let’s make this personal. Think about these:

1. What is one blessing I have right now—even something tiny?

   
   

2. How could I use this blessing to encourage or help someone this week?

   
   

3. Think of a recent “I thought” moment—something that didn’t go as you expected. How could you steward your resources, talents, or opportunities differently next time?

   
   

4. If Joseph had been afraid to use his blessings, what might have been missed? How could your actions make a difference this week?

Even tiny steps count. Don’t underestimate them.

And to help us remember all of this, a few verses:

• Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Not about drama-free life, but aligning your heart with God matters most.

• James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above…” Everything comes from Him—use it wisely, don’t hoard it, and don’t confuse it with proof of His favor.

• Deuteronomy 8:18 – “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant…” Blessings are tools to confirm His love and your role, not just rewards.

  
  

Okay, now that we’ve locked in the Scripture, let’s pause and take this into prayer—slow it down and let it sink in.

God,

Thank You for every blessing You’ve given me, even the small ones I sometimes overlook.

Help me to use them wisely—to encourage, lead, and serve.

Teach me that prosperity isn’t about comfort or showing off—it’s about responsibility, love, and faithfulness.

Help me handle the “I thought” moments with courage and trust that You’re always working,

even when I don’t understand.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Alright, cozy crew, before we wrap up, I have a super fun announcement and a little challenge for you.

First—Uncommon Teen Live! This is going to be epic. You, me, girls from all over, logging on, laughing together, maybe crying a little (the good kind), and diving deep into God’s Word.

The event is virtual, October 2nd–4th, and it’s going to be life-changing.

Here’s the scoop: I’ll be speaking Saturday morning, October 4th, and you can snag your tickets at www.uncommonteen.com/conference.

Only $20, and I promise—you’ll leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and ready to lead boldly in your own life.

Now, here’s the second part—this is where YOU come in.

Let’s not let this episode just sit in your headphones. I want you to share it with your friends.

Make a little listening party, text your squad the link, or post it in your group chat. You can literally be a spark—help someone else hear this message about stewarding blessings, handling those “I thought” moments, and living with faith and purpose.

Think of it like this: every time you share this, you’re helping someone else grow in faith, courage, and wisdom. You’re making disciples in your own life—just by being bold, sharing what you’re learning, and showing others how to handle blessings the Joseph way.

So here’s the challenge for the week:

1. Share this episode with at least one friend.

   
   

2. Start a mini listening party or group chat discussion.

   
   

3. Pick one small way to steward a blessing this week and tell your friend about it.

You’ll be surprised how fast it spreads—like wildfire—but in the best way possible, because it’s all about pointing people to Jesus and helping them see how to live faithfully in every season.

Alright, squad, that’s a wrap! Pinky promise—keep showing up, keep leading well, and remember: prosperity is a responsibility, blessings are tools, and God is with you in every single season.

Cue confetti, cue macarena, cue all the jazz hands… because you are officially amazing.