Bible Study Prosperity Has It's Dangers.

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Jesus caused a fish to have a coin in its mouth, and when the Apostles were following Jesus they had a treasurer (Judas) and they had women who gave them help....$$$$$$
There was not a piece of furniture that the carpenter Jesus every created and SOLD that he didnt get paid for, and took the money.
Paul did the same, he had churches that gave him money and he had people in his ministry that helped him out.
Paul said this......"1 Tim 5:17...."" Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.""""

And to say that the proof of a "legit" ministry is that it has no money, is , well, false.
You are quite wrong unless the bible is a lie.

The fact is, if God didnt want you to have money, he would not have asked you to Tithe.

Sorry, I'm not a legal advocate OR a tithing advocate. The law is for the lawless, and sinners, (1 Tim. 1:9) and is meant to empower sin.

1 Corinthians 15:56
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

I'd also observe that the early Apostles were also continually broke and homeless to boot. We know Paul worked as a tent maker, with his own hands, to feed himself. (Acts 18:3)

They basically camped out with the common folk in poor/common mans squalor. I don't recall any of them recounting sitting and dining in some rich guy's house, looking for handouts and patronage, which is what the churches eventually turned to.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

i just can't buy your point of view.
You are saying that the only reason some have abundant prosperity is because they didnt work for it, didnt understand the principals of planning and succeeding because they chose to use their education, talent, ambition, and drive, to create prosperity for themselves.
But instead they just found poor people to rob, somehow.
I just dont buy it for many reasons.
Among them, is the fact that God himself is interested in creating for his Sons and Daughters not only a life, but an abundant life, and this includes having a life that is more then just scratching up enough money to "get buy".
It fact, it is your bible that tells you in Deut 8:18 "But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth"""

Now, notice that the verse does not say...."i will give you WEALTH"......but rather it says....."power to get it".
This "power", is understood as "ideas", "health", "drive", "help", "windows of opportunities" that a person works out.
Its an empowering to achieve, and not just pennies from heaven while you sit there and count it.
Its all about God being involved in the process that YOU DO.
He assists in the process of achieving.
However, Its all about YOU DOING, and not about sitting and waiting for it to happen.
You dont "name it and claim it" , unless you are willing to do the leg work that is involved in the acquisition.
The cost of wealth is desire, preparation, and effort., with God providing opportunities and "handfuls on purpose" along the way.

I'm sorry you don't accept the perspectives I've said. But that's ok, the views are pretty condemning. Even with the good work ethics of planning, training, good choices, and ambition, the thing is we live in a world of economic competition. In order for one person to be successful they have to win more then the other guy. Rich people do this with rich people when companies compete in the same market, if one has more wealth then the other, they have through a more marketed name, or a better product or service acquired more then their competitor. When both players are rich, the sitution isn't to the extent that one is put into poverty. When it's say a small company that is a risk to the founder because they put all their savings into it, and just compete against the richer company, they may have lost everything and be much poorer. Is it that they didn't try enough? I doubt it. Sometimes all it is is a good footing and a foundation of good resources within a company. Something the new poorer company likely just doesn't have. At least not yet, and they lose it all before their able to learn or grow.

Move down the stream to not companies, but to indivuals, and we have a talent market. Who is the best candidate for the job. One that is both well qualified, but not asking for more money then the employers are willing to spend. It has the same competitive nature as the companies do. It's less of an issue if one person gets the job, but the other is still able to easily find one of simular pay. But it is an issue if a person doesn't have some sort of help to have helped them to get to that place, or if the person has many other responsibilities burdening them down, or if the person is handicapped in one way or another. If it was easy to be rich, then no one would be poor.

If you can look at this link. I found it several months ago, but it does a great job portraying inequality in our competitive market. It's not a long read, but is mostly done like a comic. Pictures to give a focus and a maritime that isn't too long.

http://thewireless.co.nz/articles/the-pencilsword-on-a-plate

 

[reba]

Would you agree that in the body of Christ, that just as many people who have a small home, a small car, and try to take care of their family, do just as little for Jesus as the "rich" Christians?
Or would you say that as long as you are poor and scrambling to make ends meet, you are going to always be the Christian who gives the most money in God's service?
So, is it a size of their money problem, or is it just a problem in general with Christians, and its not really a money issue at all ?

The question is not either or ..
The "prosperity guys" use God to gain their riches.. big difference... The story that often comes to mind when this topic comes up is the one of Ruth Graham giving the Mink coat to Franklin's ministry.. June Cash had given her the coat...

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

Though not a Christian quote, I think it has merit in this discussion. A quote from Confucius. "When a country is well governed, poverty and a mean condition are things to be ashamed of. When a country is ill governed, riches and honor are things to be ashamed of."

 

[Kidron]

The question is not either or ..
The "prosperity guys" use God to gain their riches.. big difference... The story that often comes to mind when this topic comes up is the one of Ruth Graham giving the Mink coat to Franklin's ministry.. June Cash had given her the coat...

Actually, its not up to you to decide what my question is, as that is only a cheap way to dodge the question.
How would you like it if i rewrote your question, instead of answering it?
That is what you just did...

The fact is, you can list a handful of rich people, or rich Christians, to prove nothing.
See, what you are saying is....."well, there are 5 TV Evangelists and 5 rich Christians who i read about, who were stupid with their money and who are only interested in building empire off the backs of poor people who believe their "prosperity gospel lies""""" so to you that means all who have riches will behave just like that, because you think that your list of 10 is PROOF without exception.
But you dont have proof., you only have a list of a few.
You just have your opinion based on the fact that you believe that poverty makes a Christian a better christian, and that riches make a Christian, the worst type.
And in your mind, according to what you have stated, that is the truth.
And your proof?
"well, see, there are these 5 TV evangelists and my list of 5 rich Christians, so, ..."

So what?

You just have a very extreme bias against the idea of a Christian having money, and it would be no doubt based on a couple of scriptures that you are trying to twist to prove a point that is not true.
See, money is not the issue, and having money is not the issue.
Its the PEOPLE who cant control it, cant keep from worshiping it, and you would like to preach and do that ALL that have money are going to misuse it, no matter what.
And that, is just nonsense.
Completely.
God did not invent poverty for his Children, nor did he invent a theology that implies that money is your enemy and His.
He told you not to LOVE IT, but he never told you that you are not to HAVE IT.
That is the distinction that matters most of all, in this discussion.

 

[reba]

Kidron you just did to my post what you say i did to yours... does that make us even ?

To me what i did was not make myself clear..
I do not have a bias against rich Christians . I would find it foolish to think one MUST be poor to sever God.. At the same time i think it foolish to think one MUST be rich to serve God..

Your view of my thoughts are just not correct.. What i appose are the mega rich preachers who get monies using their form gospel.. at the same time the pastor down the street in the storefront church who is doing the same on a smaller scale is 'guilty' of the same... All the while i am, not apposed to pastors being paid for being pastors..
I do not have opposition to Christians having money. Being a good steward of what God has given to each of us , no matter our standard of living, is a responsibility we each have.

Back to my story above of the coat.. Johnny Cash had tons of money he was blessed and able to buy a Mink coat for June.Carter Cash... she saw one cold night Ruth Graham being cold she gave Ruth the coat .. That coat was sold and the funds given to Sumatran' Purse. None of which cold have happened if Johnny Cash was not rich.

I hope you can understand me a bit more..

God did not invent poverty for his Children, nor did he invent a theology that implies that money is your enemy and His.
He told you not to LOVE IT, but he never told you that you are not to HAVE IT.
That is the distinction that matters most of all, in this discussion.

I totally agree with this segment of your post.

 

[Brother Mike]

Luke 18:18-25 Has an account of a very prosperous man who became interested in spiritual matters.

Luke 18:18 "And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 18:19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 18:20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 8:21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 18:23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 18:24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

I'm not going to bash the "Prosperity Gospel" with this thread, but I would like to point out a few area's or dangers that the prosperous will face. The unwise will suffer loss, the wise will be blessed. Lets look at this man and see what Jesus says about His lifestyle.

According to this man's spiritual customes he would be classified as "having it together." I realize that He's Jewish but for my illustration, he's a Christian, OK? So here's Joe Christian, and Joe is enjoying life's journey with a good job, nice home, good Christian wife and two great Christian Kids. Prosperity? Oh yes, he's the "poster child".

Joe and his family are members of the Prosperity Assemblies of God Church just down the Street, and a missionary is visiting his church. Joe gets convicted that his Salvation might not be genuine because he had always heard that if you became a Christian, God would make you prosperous. Joe now thinks his motive to become a Christian was not right and now wants to make sure he's saved.

Now Joe has a problem. This missionary is suggesting that Joe sell his boat, Harley, jet ski's, airplane, BMW, summer cottage, etc, etc and give the money raised for missions, Joe says, "No Way! I worked hard for those toys and I'm keeping them! Plus, I was told that if I became a Christian and join this church, I get these things.

What do you think about this example? Has the "Prosperity so-called Gospel" produced a kind of false religion? I realize that not much has been said about Joe's lifestyle so we can't say much about the validity of his Salvation but lets just consider what kind of Gospel are we presenting to the unsaved, or should I say, what kind of Gospel should we be presenting to the unsaved?

Unfortunately, there are friends and family that we so desperately want to become a Christian and wonder what it'll take for them to say yes....case in point, my real Brother is not saved and is hard to the Gospel. I have wondered at times, in a fleshly way, what it will take.

You did not post the rest of the scripture. Had the young ruler hung out, Jesus said He would have gotten 100 fold back of all He gave. That's a pretty good deal.

Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
(Psa 112:1-3)

The post is sort of silly, but reading along, I see lots of folks posting that don't even understand God. So, it might not be that silly, considering the answers. I am almost sad people don't even know their own father.

Wealth is what? Material stuff, and by the Word, all of it was made and put here by God. We need to look at wealth as God does. God paved his streets in Gold, just a chunk of His pavement would make any of us rich here on earth, so God certainly does not consider how much something is, He made it anyway.

Does a Lamborghini have great value in God's eyes? Does he say that cost to much? Not hardly, it's just a bunch of metal and other things He made that a man fitted together.
However, if that Lamborghini means something to one of us, then it becomes important to him. Do we want one? God would love to get us one, it would please him.

Prosperity with God is not just based on sowing and tithing. There are lots of faithful tithers that will never have the money for a Lamborghini.

Prosperity is based on what you need for the Kingdom. That depends on how faithful your serving God and doing all he asked to do. If God told you to supply the pastor, then the money will pour in if that is your job.

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
(Luk 16:10-12)

There is a line between saying God multiplies my seed sown, what I sow will come back, I have lost nothing, as opposed to, I am sowing to get rich. Somehow it gets turned around to the getting rich part.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
(2Co 9:7-11)

If you notice, the money you give, does not just turn into more money.
It turns into having sufficiency in everything.
It turns into abounding in good works.
It turns into the fruits of your right standing with God to increase.
It turns into being enriched in everything bountifully.

All the things mentioned must also be on the list of things we strive for, and an increases in more money was not exactly mentioned.

It's stored!!!

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
(Mat 6:20-21)

1Ti_6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
(Php 4:17)

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
(Pro 19:17)

When you give, it's stored and multiplied. Folks wondering where all their tithes increase is at, need to get out of the house and start doing what God said do. I see a whole lot of folks hearing the wrong message and getting discouraged with giving, which means they where never taught, and are giving for the wrong reasons.

God wants us to have our own, have more than enough, but there is a reason why and how that works.

Mike.

 

[Kidron]

Kidron you just did to my post what you say i did to yours... does that make us even ?

.

Nope, we are not "even", but dont give up the ship.
Actually, you didnt post a question i could dodge, other then to say "does this make us even" , but we cant be even, as you didnt post a question to me thats related to my question, so, i didnt have one of yours to dodge or ignore
Might be fun, tho.

Now, regarding your comment about the "gospel guys using God, the bible, for personal gain," etc..
That comment has a lot of merit.
I know that there are those in Ministry who take advantage of any situation to access the money of the hurting or anyone else.
Absolutely.
But its also true that "the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just".
In the final analysis, having money or not having money, is not the issue.
The issue, is the motive of the heart, no matter the good deed.

 

[reba]

agreed

 

[Kidron]

agreed

+1

 

[reba]

 

[jasonc]

mother Teresa took a vow of poverty. she gave all that she was given to the poor.

 

[Kidron]

mother Teresa took a vow of poverty. she gave all that she was given to the poor.

She said that she was given "the call" to live among the poor.
Rich Mullins the deceased Christian artist, took a similar vow.
St Francis of Assisi is probably the best known believer who decided to live a life of complete dependance on the provision of God.
Its probably a misuse of the term "vow of poverty" to describe what they were all about, as that is essentially saying they vowed to starve, and that is not really what these special saints were doing, they are instead just turning their back on the world system, utterly, in all facets.
Its essentially saying to God,...."i give EVERYTHING UP", and from now on, "its me and you"...."here am i, send me".
This is probably the best example of what an actual Apostle is all about tho the early Apostles also worked "signs and wonders", as this is known as the "signs of an Apostle", according to 2nd Corin 12:12.

 

[Brother Mike]

She said that she was given "the call" to live among the poor.
Rich Mullins the deceased Christian artist, took a similar vow.
St Francis of Assisi is probably the best known believer who decided to live a life of complete dependance on the provision of God.
Its probably a misuse of the term "vow of poverty" to describe what they were all about, as that is essentially saying they vowed to starve, and that is not really what these special saints were doing, they are instead just turning their back on the world system, utterly, in all facets.
Its essentially saying to God,...."i give EVERYTHING UP", and from now on, "its me and you"...."here am i, send me".
This is probably the best example of what an actual Apostle is all about tho the early Apostles also worked "signs and wonders", as this is known as the "signs of an Apostle", according to 2nd Corin 12:12.

The Worlds system you mentioned wants to charge fee's and collect interest. They give you a bit of compounded interest if you invest. God was not a big fan of collecting interest. (Lev 25:36)

Jesus said no man has given everything for the Gospel sake and not received back 100 Fold everything given. (Mark 10) He said with man that is impossible for such a return, but with God, all things are possible. Paul wanted that big offering from the Phillipains so it would about to their account. God tracks what you do and putting the Kingdom first. God multiplies your seed sown, it's give and it shall be given, no interest and out of a heart that wants to give.

So, you might be giving up everything, but your trading it for God's system of sowing and reaping. God's system never runs out, rich folks go broke very quickly, and those that make millions, somehow end up with nothing. Investing in the Kingdom insures you will never run out, or go broke. It also keeps your focus on money as a tool, and not something that has more value than any other tool.

 

[Kidron]

1. Jesus said no man has given everything for the Gospel sake and not received back 100 Fold everything given. (Mark 10) He said with man that is impossible for such a return, but with God, all things are possible.

2. So, you might be giving up everything, but your trading it for God's system of sowing and reaping. God's system never runs out, rich folks go broke very quickly, and those that make millions, somehow end up with nothing.

Ok, your first comment is what Prosperity preachers are preaching.
They say that if you give, you get., as this is a spiritual law "sowing and reaping" "seedtime and harvest".
So, you sow MONEY to get a harvest of 10 -100 "fold" of MONEY, using this spiritual law.
And the fact is, this is true....
But here is the danger........the danger is that some of these people are so out of balance within their own spirituality that that is ALL they preach......and this creates an imbalance in their members who become too preoccupied with the "getting" part.

Regarding your 2nd point......well, the fact is, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
It is actually not that common for a businessman who has made tons of money, to lose it unless they have it all invested playing the markets and then Wall Street has a melt down.
But all this success has too do with the market share, and the product you are offering.
Some business make products that are not going to be desirable in 10years, so, that business was doomed by a shortsighted misunderstanding of the continuing value of their product.
The "rich" who famously lose their money, are typically those who didnt earn it in business, but instead earned it in Sports or the Lotto, for example.
They generally lose it due to bad investments, and they make these because they are not educated enough within the world of investing, and so, they lose it in the learning process.
Do you remember Michael Jordan, the famous basketball player?......if you do, then you probably remember Scottie Pippin.
Well, Scottie lost all his millions......... and that is typical because its one thing to know how to dunk, but that is not the same as knowing how to invest.

 

[Brother Mike]

Ok, your first comment is what Prosperity preachers are preaching.
They say that if you give, you get., as this is a spiritual law "sowing and reaping" "seedtime and harvest".
So, you sow MONEY to get a harvest of 10 -100 "fold" of MONEY, using this spiritual law.
And the fact is, this is true....
But here is the danger........the danger is that some of these people are so out of balance within their own spirituality that that is ALL they preach......and this creates an imbalance in their members who become too preoccupied with the "getting" part.

Regarding your 2nd point......well, the fact is, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
It is actually not that common for a businessman who has made tons of money, to lose it unless they have it all invested playing the markets and then Wall Street has a melt down.
But all this success has too do with the market share, and the product you are offering.
Some business make products that are not going to be desirable in 10years, so, that business was doomed by a shortsighted misunderstanding of the continuing value of their product.
The "rich" who famously lose their money, are typically those who didnt earn it in business, but instead earned it in Sports or the Lotto, for example.
They generally lose it due to bad investments, and they make these because they are not educated enough within the world of investing, and so, they lose it in the learning process.
Do you remember Michael Jordan, the famous basketball player?......if you do, then you probably remember Scottie Pippin.
Well, Scottie lost all his millions......... and that is typical because its one thing to know how to dunk, but that is not the same as knowing how to invest.

Yea, exactly. I am not putting down the "Prosperity Gospel" God did say he would multiply what you give. What I have been questioning is, do you get that right back as more money? If you read my other post, the scripture talks about laying up treasure in heaven, putting the Kingdom and gospel first, it's laid up for you, when you go do what God said do. I don't think it's like a bank system exactly, but 100 fold back is possible, if that is what it takes to get the plan of God done.

was reading CBS news about all these football players that are stone broke, despite the million dollar contracts. Where is their money going?

Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.
(Hag 1:6-8)

they have stuff coming in, but it's never enough. I have more than once had all the bills paid, and there certainly was not enough to pay everything. God has paid our power and rent, it just comes in from somewhere. I put him first, get money, tithe, and give when asked to give something. Everything I have asked, I have gotten (Except the Lamborghini, that is on the way 15 years now believing for one)

I see prosperity, but not in mansions, or tons of money laying around. In fact, if money comes in, it's suppose to go out again to further the Kingdom. If my faith can't get it, I don't need it. I ask God first, before buying something.

It started with this.

Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?
(Hag 1:4)

They are trying to set themselves up first, then work on God's stuff. That is not the way it works. God has to be first, then, God sets you up.

I don't mind the "Prosperity Gospel" but I think they need to add a lot more scriptures to it, and expound more on how things work. Jesus said if your faithful with unrighteous mammon, then you qualify for true riches, so going after the money, is going to miss big time.

 

[Chopper]

Yea, exactly. I am not putting down the "Prosperity Gospel" God did say he would multiply what you give. What I have been questioning is, do you get that right back as more money? If you read my other post, the scripture talks about laying up treasure in heaven, putting the Kingdom and gospel first, it's laid up for you, when you go do what God said do. I don't think it's like a bank system exactly, but 100 fold back is possible, if that is what it takes to get the plan of God done.

was reading CBS news about all these football players that are stone broke, despite the million dollar contracts. Where is their money going?

Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.
(Hag 1:6-8)

they have stuff coming in, but it's never enough. I have more than once had all the bills paid, and there certainly was not enough to pay everything. God has paid our power and rent, it just comes in from somewhere. I put him first, get money, tithe, and give when asked to give something. Everything I have asked, I have gotten (Except the Lamborghini, that is on the way 15 years now believing for one)

I see prosperity, but not in mansions, or tons of money laying around. In fact, if money comes in, it's suppose to go out again to further the Kingdom. If my faith can't get it, I don't need it. I ask God first, before buying something.

It started with this.

Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?
(Hag 1:4)

They are trying to set themselves up first, then work on God's stuff. That is not the way it works. God has to be first, then, God sets you up.

I don't mind the "Prosperity Gospel" but I think they need to add a lot more scriptures to it, and expound more on how things work. Jesus said if your faithful with unrighteous mammon, then you qualify for true riches, so going after the money, is going to miss big time.

I really like what you said here, "I ask God first, before buying something." That my friend is the answer to people who tithe expecting God to supply all their needs (I really think wants) and they get disappointed because their bills still are not paid. There needs to be a principle with Christian households that if something is needed, ask God first to supply it. If after a reasonable amount of time passes, and it didn't come in, ask God if they really need it.

The problem comes when we disregard totally our Lord's will concerning our needs, and we go out and charge an item on our credit card, and then over time, these items that were charged become the items that our tithe's return didn't cover and we quit tithing because we can't pay all the bills.

 

[Brother Mike]

I really like what you said here, "I ask God first, before buying something." That my friend is the answer to people who tithe expecting God to supply all their needs (I really think wants) and they get disappointed because their bills still are not paid. There needs to be a principle with Christian households that if something is needed, ask God first to supply it. If after a reasonable amount of time passes, and it didn't come in, ask God if they really need it.

The problem comes when we disregard totally our Lord's will concerning our needs, and we go out and charge an item on our credit card, and then over time, these items that were charged become the items that our tithe's return didn't cover and we quit tithing because we can't pay all the bills.

Good stuff. We don't have credit cards, we use debit cards as they are convenient. I always tithe before looking at bills. God supplies my needs, I just try to do what I am suppose to, and I believe on giving God back the 10th off all He has blessed me with, and He has come through for us time and time again.

Putting God first not only means tithing when little comes in, but it's harder to hold back from buying what you want when abundance comes in. It's the same principles.

This spiritual principle here is why folks get so disenchanted and hurt by the so called Prosperity Gospel. They ask God for big things, and no issue, God could care less what something cost, He lives on Streets paved with Gold and I hope some of us don't go up there and tell him He could have sold his streets and gave to the poor. Some are that stupid it seems.

So, you ask God big and believe for big things, but if your in the habit of just going out and buying what you want when you have lots of resources, then you take yourself out of the Kingdom of God's operation of having what God can do for you. This was the rich young rulers problem. He did not see how selling all he had and giving to the poor helped him any. He walks away, not hear Jesus said, No man has given everything for the Gospel sake and not received back now in this time 100 fold. He missed that part.

When the wife and I get a couple thousand saved up, we let it sit and ask God where do you want it. We don't believe in Hoarding it and stocking it. The reason is, God is our source, He can drop a new fishing boat in your driveway when you have no money. I don't need to save and toil for things, I just need to put God first.

Sometimes the Lord will ask, save it back, and we do. the Wife has a big chunk of change right now, she won't touch, even if we need things because she knows she is suppose to sow it somewhere.

If folks would make God their complete source, and not look at the money, it's pretty amazing what God can add to your life. It's hard for the rich to enter in the principles of the Kingdom of God. Waiting and asking God before they get something they want is not a concept they understand.

Mike.

 

[Kidron]

Yea, exactly. I am not putting down the "Prosperity Gospel" God did say he would multiply what you give. What I have been questioning is, do you get that right back as more money?

"prosperity" , in the context of our discussion, would be children, health, longevity of life, as well as material goods, including money.
It would also be enlarging what you have regarding the type of ministry you have....so, if that is a church, then that would be church growth.
If you are an evangelist then it would be God giving you more souls.
If you are a singer, Christian artist, then this would be a bigger audience or more original music, etc.

Prosperity is , to me, more then meeting needs, but rather its making your whole life experience larger, greater, expanded.

 

[Brother Mike]

"prosperity" , in the context of our discussion, would be children, health, longevity of life, as well as material goods, including money.
It would also be enlarging what you have regarding the type of ministry you have....so, if that is a church, then that would be church growth.
If you are an evangelist then it would be God giving you more souls.
If you are a singer, Christian artist, then this would be a bigger audience or more original music, etc.

Prosperity is , to me, more then meeting needs, but rather its making your whole life experience larger, greater, expanded.

That makes sense, Jesus said I have come to give life, and give it abundantly. (John 10:10) That is with relationships, everything.