Lewis
Member
There are many here who can't stand prosperity preaching, so I just decided to post this article.
The Bible contains over 2,000 verses on money. That's more than on the subjects of prayer and faith combined. With that many verses on money, prosperity, and greed, what the Bible says about money should be an important consideration for anyone who wants to follow God. Bible Verses on Prosperity
In his third epistle, the apostle John writes: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in good health, even as thy soul prospereth" (III John 2, KJV). That John says he wishes this "above all things" implies that he really wants his readers to financially prosper and enjoy great health.
That he adds "even as thy soul prospereth" takes away any attempt to redefine John's wishes as being symbolic of some spiritual quality. John is specifically referring to health and wealth, and saying that he wants these things for his readers, just as he wants them to grow spiritually.
What's more, if III John indeed belongs in the Bible, then John's wishes constitute divinely inspired Scripture and are "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16, KJV).
Anyone tempted to think III John 2 is an anomaly in Scripture can turn to the book of Proverbs, which provides wisdom on a wide range of subjects, including money. Here are just two examples:
"The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, ut those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty." (Proverbs 21:5, NKJV)
"Through wisdom a house is built, [a]nd by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches." (Proverbs 24:3-4, NKJV)
Is Money the Root of All Evil?
If there are Bible verses encouraging prosperity, then has the Bible contradicted itself? Doesn't the Bible teach that money is the root of all evil?
This misconception stems from Paul's first letter to Timothy, in which he writes: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (I Timothy 6:10, KJV).
Paul doesn't say money is the "root of all evil," the King James Version translates Paul as saying that the love of money is the "root of all evil."
While other English translations, such as the New International Version, have softened I Timothy 6:10 to read that the "love of money" is "a root of all kinds of evil" (I Timothy 6:10, NIV), the KJV is perhaps closer to Paul's original meaning. Even so, Paul is associating the "love of money" with covetousness. And many would agree that coveting (a biblical term for lust and greed) is indeed the root source of every human sin.
Those inclined to dispute that last statement should consider that covetousness involves the desire to pursue one's own agenda and take that which he or she desires. Covetousness is the very essence of selfishness.
God and Money
The Bible doesn't condemn the acquisition of money or wealth. On the contrary, it provides much in the way of practical and spiritual instruction on how God's followers can achieve monetary blessings. The Bible does, however, condemn greed and it warns that material prosperity has its limits.
Anyone focused on achieving material wealth in this life is pursuing the temporal, rather than the permanent and is compromising his or her ability to follow God's calling. Jesus warns: "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Matthew 6:24, NIV).
Thus, while God may indeed bless a person with financial prosperity (Proverbs 3:9-10) and while the Bible does provide instructions on how to acquire money (Proverbs 6:6-8), a follower of God must first pursue God's calling and not his or her own agenda.
The Biblical stance is clear: money is a tool; It should not be one's focus. For a follower of God, the focus must be God, and not money.
The Bible contains over 2,000 verses on money. That's more than on the subjects of prayer and faith combined. With that many verses on money, prosperity, and greed, what the Bible says about money should be an important consideration for anyone who wants to follow God. Bible Verses on Prosperity
In his third epistle, the apostle John writes: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in good health, even as thy soul prospereth" (III John 2, KJV). That John says he wishes this "above all things" implies that he really wants his readers to financially prosper and enjoy great health.
That he adds "even as thy soul prospereth" takes away any attempt to redefine John's wishes as being symbolic of some spiritual quality. John is specifically referring to health and wealth, and saying that he wants these things for his readers, just as he wants them to grow spiritually.
What's more, if III John indeed belongs in the Bible, then John's wishes constitute divinely inspired Scripture and are "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16, KJV).
Anyone tempted to think III John 2 is an anomaly in Scripture can turn to the book of Proverbs, which provides wisdom on a wide range of subjects, including money. Here are just two examples:
"The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, ut those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty." (Proverbs 21:5, NKJV)
"Through wisdom a house is built, [a]nd by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches." (Proverbs 24:3-4, NKJV)
Is Money the Root of All Evil?
If there are Bible verses encouraging prosperity, then has the Bible contradicted itself? Doesn't the Bible teach that money is the root of all evil?
This misconception stems from Paul's first letter to Timothy, in which he writes: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (I Timothy 6:10, KJV).
Paul doesn't say money is the "root of all evil," the King James Version translates Paul as saying that the love of money is the "root of all evil."
While other English translations, such as the New International Version, have softened I Timothy 6:10 to read that the "love of money" is "a root of all kinds of evil" (I Timothy 6:10, NIV), the KJV is perhaps closer to Paul's original meaning. Even so, Paul is associating the "love of money" with covetousness. And many would agree that coveting (a biblical term for lust and greed) is indeed the root source of every human sin.
Those inclined to dispute that last statement should consider that covetousness involves the desire to pursue one's own agenda and take that which he or she desires. Covetousness is the very essence of selfishness.
God and Money
The Bible doesn't condemn the acquisition of money or wealth. On the contrary, it provides much in the way of practical and spiritual instruction on how God's followers can achieve monetary blessings. The Bible does, however, condemn greed and it warns that material prosperity has its limits.
Anyone focused on achieving material wealth in this life is pursuing the temporal, rather than the permanent and is compromising his or her ability to follow God's calling. Jesus warns: "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Matthew 6:24, NIV).
Thus, while God may indeed bless a person with financial prosperity (Proverbs 3:9-10) and while the Bible does provide instructions on how to acquire money (Proverbs 6:6-8), a follower of God must first pursue God's calling and not his or her own agenda.
The Biblical stance is clear: money is a tool; It should not be one's focus. For a follower of God, the focus must be God, and not money.
:yes
:amen