Lord Jesus and Prosperity

newton3005

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Deuteronomy 28:1...4-5 says, “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today...Blessed shall be ...the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.” Here, God will bless the prosperity of those who obey Him.


Jesus’ Beatitudes in Matthew 5:2-11 are as follows:


And [Jesus] opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”


Keep in mind that Jesus in Matthew 5:17 says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”


Is there any connection between Deuteronomy 28:1...4-5 and Matthew 5:2-11? Moses in Deuteronomy 28:1...4-5 effectively says to show the Lord your works in obeying Him and your prosperity will be blessed. Jesus in his Beatitudes, except the ones addressed to the peacemakers and the merciful, is unconditionally blessing the unfortunate. Does Lord Jesus promise prosperity to those who have faith in God? Perhaps...


Jesus in Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” In John 15:5 he says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”


We know from reading Genesis 1:28 that it is not a sin to be fruitful, since God in fact commands us to be. And to be sure of source, Jesus has drawn from the Old Testament in things like divorce, so we know the Old Testament is not to be completely disregarded.


Can Jesus’ Beatitudes apply to the prosperous? Perhaps to the extent that those who are prosperous but may also be “poor in spirit”, “those who mourn”, “those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”, those who are “merciful”, “pure in heart”. “peacemakers”, those who strive for “righteousness”, or who are ‘reviled.’


So, it seems that even those who strive for prosperity can receive Jesus’ blessings. It’s just that we are implored not to let our treasures gather dust, but to use it for the good of others or give it to those who may benefit from it. And while Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to be pulled through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to be welcomed into Heaven, Jesus has made it clear that if they divulge themselves of their possessions prior to God’s calling them, and they have lived lives of righteousness, they at least stand as much a chance of being admitted into Heaven as anyone else whose faith is in God through Lord Jesus.


Is it necessary to be poor to make others see God? Can it be possible to make others see God by example, for instance by others seeing you’re in good health and you have the things you want?


I’ve sometimes seen clergyman who drive around in luxury automobiles. What is the purpose of that, if any? Is it to show others they are people of distinction? Could it possibly be to show others how they can prosper when they put their faith in Jesus?


In any event, I tell you there is nothing in the Bible that says that God will not look with favor on you if you are prosperous and you strive for righteousness. In fact, the Bible, in the Old and New Testament, tells us that God will help you to prosper if you put your faith and love in Him.
 
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Ricky M

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I have a list of over 50 verses and passages in which God vehemently speaks against seeking/hording riches.

In an earlier attempt to balance that out, others were only able to find 3 in which God promises earthly wealth and prosperity (altho I'm sure there has to be a few more).

The dividing line is, as is often in the scriptures, what is in your heart.

Are your treasures, wealth, and possessions here on earth your idols? That is the way of mankind, and far too often that is what is going on with those whose goal is to acquire earthly wealth. And that is what God condemns.

If, on the other hand, your heart sees your treasures, wealth, and possessions as resources to be used for the betterment of the poor and your fellow man, then I believe God will bless you with these things. But unfortunately, if we use the ratio found in the Bible (a loose application I admit, but one that illustrates the point well), only 3 out of 50 (or more) see their possessions as for that use.

I also believe that when God offers rewards, I think they tend to be banked in heaven and not here on earth, where moth and rust can destroy them.

If you use your wealth to help others, God will reward you with more to be used.

If you use your wealth to help yourself, you fall into condemnation and God will not honor that.
 
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OldWiseGuy

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Personally I have dwelt on money when I didn't have much. Now that I have enough I don't give it much thought. It's like food and hunger. When you have eaten you don't think about your stomach.
 
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