Do you think God cares how much money you have?
There are those who make a strong case for prosperity. If the sign of a
true man of faith is wealth, what about those who do not possess wealth?
Do they lack faith or are they in sin?
If the gathering of wealth were an important part of the gospel, Jesus would
have set the example. Maybe the "God wants me rich" people think Jesus was out of God's will.
He did not have a house, car or storehouse full of possessions. He did not eat at fancy
restaurants or stay in fine hotels.
Lest we be accused of expounding conjecture and opinion, we'll let the scriptures speak for themselves.
The danger of professing wealth
Revelation 3:17-18
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have
need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable
and poor and blind and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest
become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and that the
shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes,
that thou mayest see.
God said He will spit the church of Laodicea out of His mouth.
Wrong to seek own wealth
I Corinthians 10:24-25
24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's [wealth].
25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
Give it away
Luke 3:11
He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that
hath meat, let him do likewise.
Disciples must forsake ALL they have
Luke 14:33
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Walk away from it
Matthew 16:24-26
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man
give in exchange for his soul?
Glory in something different than wealth
Galatians 6:14
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is
crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Be partakers in a greater wealth
II Peter 1:4
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the
divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
It isn't the amount that matters
Luke 21:1-4
1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in
all the living that she had.
Share it all with others
Acts 4:35-35
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them,
and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had
need.
Rather to be a servant
I Corinthians 9:19
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
Refuse the higher reputation
Hebrews11:24-25
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a
season;
Matthew 19:23-24
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Yes, that's a real needle and that's a real camel. What are the
odds? Is it worth the risk of failing?
Was Jesus wrong??
Matthew 8:20
And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man
hath not where to lay His head.
The Wrong Gospel
I Timothy 6:10
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.
To those who preach the Gospel of Prosperity, can you still say, "God wants
me rich" or would you like to reevaluate your doctrinal foundation?
You
should never judge a person's faith or spiritual well-being by the amount of
money they have. God loves the rich and poor alike. There are
specific requirements regarding your wealth and finances when you serve the
Lord. If God has blessed you financially, re-read the scriptures
above. If, on the other hand, you lack the level of wealth that you
desire, rethink your desires and focus on spiritual matters.
Luke 12:22-24
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Luke 12:29-34
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Do you have enough to eat? If so, you have enough.
All contents Copyright © Rod Ellis
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The Gospel of Prosperity
