THE DANGER OF PROSPERITY
Pr 27:23,24 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.
When things go well it's easy to become neglectful like the rich fool of Luke 12:19 who said, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." But God said, "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you." Jesus concluded saying, "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." So though you may be rich on earth, don't expect to be rich in heaven if you've not been rich towards God. And besides the issue of accountability is also the issue of maintenance. Even earthly prosperity requires maintenance. And more so the more you have. But riches can make one too comfortable and thus lazy, apathetic and inattentive to dangers.
1Tim 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
But besides the issue of material possessions The Church itself is in greatest danger after it experiences a time of prosperity. The Christian life was not meant to get to the point of saying, "Take life easy". When did Jesus "take life easy?" The Christian life requires constant vigilance - be watchful. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1Pet 5:8
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
Pr 27:23,24 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.
When things go well it's easy to become neglectful like the rich fool of Luke 12:19 who said, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." But God said, "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you." Jesus concluded saying, "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." So though you may be rich on earth, don't expect to be rich in heaven if you've not been rich towards God. And besides the issue of accountability is also the issue of maintenance. Even earthly prosperity requires maintenance. And more so the more you have. But riches can make one too comfortable and thus lazy, apathetic and inattentive to dangers.
1Tim 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
But besides the issue of material possessions The Church itself is in greatest danger after it experiences a time of prosperity. The Christian life was not meant to get to the point of saying, "Take life easy". When did Jesus "take life easy?" The Christian life requires constant vigilance - be watchful. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1Pet 5:8
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
