Prosperity movement...

Much of my family attents a "prosperity movement" church. We attended it once. I loved the general atmosphere of love and the worship was incredible.
My one concern is their obsession with the Prosperity Movement. They teach that if you are a real Christian and filled with the spirit that you will have so much money that you need to "let it show" and give thousands away consistently (to them of course)
Obviously, if one is wealthy giving more than the avarage Joe should be a given. It's just that they place so much emphasis on material wealth that something just doesn't jive with me about it.

Jesus may have had money, but he just doesn't come across as one who would use it to boast.

Should I be concerned about this philosophy or just ignore it?
My wife is suggesting we might want to start attending services there.

If you are a giver you should go to a place where you encouraged to be prosperous

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I believe that God has more grace for those who make themselves available for His use rather than those who criticize those who He uses

After reading this thread I got this thought: There are those among us who get agitated because a pastor of a church that preaches prosperity should himself be prosperous.
It is almost like it would be expected that he alone should give all away and become poor himself. If that happened his message on prosperity would not have much impact would it?
It would be like an Evangelist preaching salvation while he is unsaved himself, or a one advocating divine health while severely diseased. Come on people understand ALL the provisions there are in the Word for us through Jesus Christ and don't insult Him by your indifference to the price He paid.

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I believe that God has more grace for those who make themselves available for His use rather than those who criticize those who He uses

I agree with you Tas, but I think there may something else going on here that the op has expressed.

If you are a man who abides in the Word and you customarily follow the promptings of the Spirit, then I think you want to give heed to what your hearing on the inside. There are people who are twisted about the prosperity message and they are a problem, causing some to stray.

Yes, the Lord wants to prosper you! And for you to be in health too!

I am wary of people who solicit me for money. God loves a cheerful giver, and all the joy goes when someone's trying to push my buttons for their own benefit. It's easy to find places to give where Jesus is exalted and people are ministered to. If you're having trouble finding such, just ask me! But I know the Lord will lead you to them.

As for where to go to church I pray you and your wife come into agreement one this.

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Philippians 3:7 But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ —the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 [My goal] is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

I have never heard of a "prosperity movement" unless you are referring to modern capitalism.
Since the vast majority of western civilization are a part of this "prosperity movement" I suspect you have your work cut out for you.

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Dids

Oh, it is real. I see it more on TBN. I think it might be a California thing, but its creeping across the nation.
It's not a giving issue and not a wealth issue. The issue is that these teachers proclaim if your wallet isn't fat and you are not living large, then there is something wrong with you spiritually.

Poverty is a tool of Satan ,Christians according to Gods word are not intended to be poor or sick, or humbled to the point they have no Wittness . Problem is as with all religion there are extremes , from legalism to kissing snakes to drag racing Bentlys. Here is a example ,Paul was bitten by a venomous snake, no harm what so ever, he shook it into the fire. Gods word gives us that provision that we may tread on Serpants. So do we play with rattlesnakes? No because we do not want to tempt the grace of God. There is nothing wrong with money it is a tool that is neutral ,it can be sown into Gods kingdom and provide you any thing you need want or desire, only when we put money or anything else before God does it become sin. You can put poverty first before God, people run around telling how very humble they are. They make sure they tell everyone how little they get by on and critize others for having provision, sin is sin. It's ok to have money and I don't know if I would listen to a pastor teaching prosperity ,that's busted himself. Think on this Prosperity is physical, emotional , financial blessing, but above all being prosperous in Christ and knowing his will is foremost . How do we get there ? Seek ,pray and study Gods word. If you question any teaching ,it should always line up with The Bible.

No way a pastor should have as much as anyone else, we should not mussel the ox treading the corn. Glory to God for a pastor handling Kingdom seed to increase. If a pastor has 2000 members and a Gospel show world wide , I don't care what he drives ,amen .

So I suppose having a "Megachurch" and a worldwide gospel show is the evidence of God's pleasure with one's ministry? Have a hard time believing that one...

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I am writing to all the Churches and I enjoin all, that I am dying willingly for God's sake, if only you do not prevent it. I beg you, do not do me an untimely kindness. Allow me to be eaten by the beasts, which are my way of reaching to God. — Ignatius, Letter to the Romans

2 Corinthians 5:20, "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."

I am sure that God would be satisfied with a whole lot of "mini churches" as long as the message to all the world was preached- including Gods provision of salvation prosperity and health

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I believe that God has more grace for those who make themselves available for His use rather than those who criticize those who He uses