While it is true that God has the capacity to concern Himself with every detail of our lives, only the very silly would think His priority is who wins football games. Fortunately, that is not actually what the poll showed.
The media’s treating this as a poll on whether people think God is helping Tebow to win, but the way the actual question was phrased is subtly different. Direct quote: “Do you believe that any of Tim Tebow’s success can be attributed to divine intervention?” (Emphasis mine.) Correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s a much easier question for a believer, no? Everyone’s “success” is, supposedly, attributable to providence to some degree. God gives you certain talents, you put them to use, you make something of yourself, voila, you’ve succeeded — even if you don’t win the Super Bowl. Which is not to say there aren’t Christians out there who think God’s actually picking favorites on Sunday afternoon. Said one Colorado pastor to TMZ last month, “It’s not luck. Luck isn’t winning 6 games in a row. It’s favor. God’s favor.” That was published on December 15; the Broncos lost three in a row starting the following Sunday. (from here)
God’s favor? To win football games? Well, there are Christians who believe in something some call the prosperity gospel (or theology). Does that Colorado pastor, Pastor Wayne Hanson of Summit Church in Castle Rock, CO, believe in such a thing (See God’s Will for Provision in their Statement of Faith.)? Perhaps. Nonetheless, Jesus and His Apostles set an example, and they did not collect riches. Instead, they served.
