Demons can’t really give us prosperity; Angels: Day 146

Pagans complained  that neglecting their gods made Rome decline. St. Augustine replies that, even if  it were true, it’s far better to face adversity than to worship demons. But it’s not true. Only God can really make us prosperous.

What beings are really propitiated by practicing such abominations in worship? Because Christianity has exposed the perversity and trickery of those devils (and it is also by their power that magic deceives people’s minds), and because it has brought out the distinction between the holy angels and these malig- nant enemies, and has warned people to be on their guard against them, and even showed how it can be done—because of these things, Christianity is called an enemy of the State! As if any amount of adversity wouldn’t be better than gaining prosperity by the aid of demons—even if worldly prosperity could be gained that way.

Yet it pleased God to keep us from being confused in this matter. In the age of comparative darkness of the Old Testament, in which the New Testament is hidden, God distinguished the first nation that worshiped the true God and despised false Gods by such prosperity in this world, that anyone can see from their case that prosperity is not at the disposal of devils, but only of him whom angels serve and devils fear. –St. Augustine, Letter 138, 4

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

When I look for material prosperity, do I end up making deals with the demons? Do I compromise my Christian faith?

CLOSING PRAYER

Guardian Angel, always remind me that adversity is far better than the help of demons. Guard me from temptation, and lead me to trust in God for my true prosperity.

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