El Shaddai
Just a bit of personal contemplation.......
I was reading a post about the "prosperity gospel" as it's come to be called. I think this gospel is made up of pastors and congregations that dangle the prosperity of God in front of the faithful and unfaithful to further their own prosperity. While I don't deny that this is true.... it's been proven to have happened in the past and continues to happen to this day. However, I don't believe that all televangelists or prosperous churches are out to get your money. Some Christians would practically deny your Christianity or that you're even saved if you even hint that you believe our Lord wants His people to prosper. Apparently, they equate all prosperity with financial gain. They fail to understand that their are many ways to prosper in the Lord. You may prosper in your health, in the work of your hands, in ideas, in understanding, in wisdom, in finances... Many Christians sneer at you just for including finances. I wonder if they would change their thinking if they understood that the Lord prospers you in Him that you may be a blessing to others.
God has always prospered and blessed those that love Him, fear His name, and have accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Those promises are recorded in Genesis 12:10-13:2 (Abraham), Genesis 26:1, 12-14, 16 (Issac), Genesis 31:6-9 (Jacob), Genesis 41:39-44 (Joseph), Exodus 12:34-36 (the children of Israel), 1 Kings 10:23 (Solomon)
Financial blessings were a part of the blessings of God, and most of the time they weren't even asked for. Such was the case with King Solomon. So, I would say that it is of the will of the Father that His children be prosperous in all aspects of life in Him, including finances. Jesus Christ said that he came that you might have life and have it more abundantly. Mathew 19:29 I believe speaks of putting Jesus Christ first in your life, being lead of the Holy Ghost, walking in love and charity, and basically doing the best that you can to live a life that is pleasing to God.
....shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit everlasting life.
Everlasting life I'm beginning to understand. The accepting of Christ and the forsaking of this world is everlasting life in this life and the next. What about the hundredfold? What is that? I believe it speaks of the blessings of the Father that are yours through the work of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. Because of the finished work of the cross, upon accepting Jesus into our hearts as Lord and savior we are made joint heirs in the promises to God's people. Are we not all God's people because of His finished work? Do we not all worship the same the God? His Word says that He is changeless. Therefore the promises that he fulfilled back then, He will fulfill today. Accepting Jesus gives you access to those blessings. It just so happens that financial blessings may be a part of that depending on what God's will is for your life. It doesn't mean that all Christians are going to live in mansions, wear the best apparel, and drive nice cars.... But it does mean that it is God's will that there be no lack in any area of our lives. I think we've just strayed from His will in that area because of false teachers.... I mean, just look in the book of Acts at the early Church.
The alternative I think would be to live in lack. Accept Jesus as savior but don't expect any prosperity from God. You live in lack because of sin. Even though those sins have been forgiven, you still have to live a life of lack and poverty because you don't deserve blessings. All have fallen short of the glory of God. The righteous will just barely make it.... You have to suffer until Christ's return. Only sinners and the like want to be rich. And since there's no distinction between prosperity and being rich you shouldn't want to prosper. Just live in lack and if it's God's will, he'll help you scrape by.
If Jesus came so that I might have life and have it more abundantly.... if He has already suffered for me..... if He has already took on the burden of sin, paid the price, and became a curse for me (part of that curse being poverty/lack) Then for me to go on living in lack and not partake of the blessings that He suffered for makes His suffering in vain don'tcha think?
Any thoughts out there?
I'm sure most will probably try and rip me a new one for believing this way, just about everyone does.... (saved and unsaved alike) but it's what I believe. Until the Spirit reveals to me otherwise.....
Job 22:21-30
Sin leaves and prosperity sets in.
I was reading a post about the "prosperity gospel" as it's come to be called. I think this gospel is made up of pastors and congregations that dangle the prosperity of God in front of the faithful and unfaithful to further their own prosperity. While I don't deny that this is true.... it's been proven to have happened in the past and continues to happen to this day. However, I don't believe that all televangelists or prosperous churches are out to get your money. Some Christians would practically deny your Christianity or that you're even saved if you even hint that you believe our Lord wants His people to prosper. Apparently, they equate all prosperity with financial gain. They fail to understand that their are many ways to prosper in the Lord. You may prosper in your health, in the work of your hands, in ideas, in understanding, in wisdom, in finances... Many Christians sneer at you just for including finances. I wonder if they would change their thinking if they understood that the Lord prospers you in Him that you may be a blessing to others.
God has always prospered and blessed those that love Him, fear His name, and have accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Those promises are recorded in Genesis 12:10-13:2 (Abraham), Genesis 26:1, 12-14, 16 (Issac), Genesis 31:6-9 (Jacob), Genesis 41:39-44 (Joseph), Exodus 12:34-36 (the children of Israel), 1 Kings 10:23 (Solomon)
Financial blessings were a part of the blessings of God, and most of the time they weren't even asked for. Such was the case with King Solomon. So, I would say that it is of the will of the Father that His children be prosperous in all aspects of life in Him, including finances. Jesus Christ said that he came that you might have life and have it more abundantly. Mathew 19:29 I believe speaks of putting Jesus Christ first in your life, being lead of the Holy Ghost, walking in love and charity, and basically doing the best that you can to live a life that is pleasing to God.
....shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit everlasting life.
Everlasting life I'm beginning to understand. The accepting of Christ and the forsaking of this world is everlasting life in this life and the next. What about the hundredfold? What is that? I believe it speaks of the blessings of the Father that are yours through the work of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. Because of the finished work of the cross, upon accepting Jesus into our hearts as Lord and savior we are made joint heirs in the promises to God's people. Are we not all God's people because of His finished work? Do we not all worship the same the God? His Word says that He is changeless. Therefore the promises that he fulfilled back then, He will fulfill today. Accepting Jesus gives you access to those blessings. It just so happens that financial blessings may be a part of that depending on what God's will is for your life. It doesn't mean that all Christians are going to live in mansions, wear the best apparel, and drive nice cars.... But it does mean that it is God's will that there be no lack in any area of our lives. I think we've just strayed from His will in that area because of false teachers.... I mean, just look in the book of Acts at the early Church.
The alternative I think would be to live in lack. Accept Jesus as savior but don't expect any prosperity from God. You live in lack because of sin. Even though those sins have been forgiven, you still have to live a life of lack and poverty because you don't deserve blessings. All have fallen short of the glory of God. The righteous will just barely make it.... You have to suffer until Christ's return. Only sinners and the like want to be rich. And since there's no distinction between prosperity and being rich you shouldn't want to prosper. Just live in lack and if it's God's will, he'll help you scrape by.
If Jesus came so that I might have life and have it more abundantly.... if He has already suffered for me..... if He has already took on the burden of sin, paid the price, and became a curse for me (part of that curse being poverty/lack) Then for me to go on living in lack and not partake of the blessings that He suffered for makes His suffering in vain don'tcha think?
Any thoughts out there?
I'm sure most will probably try and rip me a new one for believing this way, just about everyone does.... (saved and unsaved alike) but it's what I believe. Until the Spirit reveals to me otherwise.....
Job 22:21-30
Sin leaves and prosperity sets in.