Biblical Prosperity

[insurchoftruth]

WHAT IS BIBLICAL PROSPERITY?


Luke 12:16-21


Here, in this passage in Luke, we can see that it was not wrong that the man had a lot of goods and riches, but what was wrong was, that he kept more goods for himself, rather that give more for the Kingdom of God on earth and for the Gospel.
I believe that God wants us to give more for him, or the bigger part of our money for him, and to keep the smaller amount for ourselves.

Jesus also said, that it is better for us to give a blessing, than to receive a blessing in Acts 20:35. When we give a blessing, the image of God is manifested in us, because we express the love of God to somebody else. When we receive a blessing, that is God's love expressed to us.

Another passage about prosperity is about the woman, which put the small amount, in the gift box, in the temple. Jesus said, that she has given more, than all of the rest. The reason she gave more, in the eyes of God, is because she gave more for God work on earth, and kept less or nothing for herself. God is not interested in the amount we give for him, but in how much we give for him, and how much we keep for ourselves. That is why Jesus said, that the poor woman gave more than all other rich people, who were putting big amounts of money, in the gift box in the temple.

In 2 Corinthians chapter 9, we can see that the main reason we are blessed from God financially, is to give for the Kingdom of God and for him, on earth, and not just for ourselves. Especially verse 11.

May God help us all, to give more financially for his work on earth, than to keep for ourselves!

I personally have been struggling in this area, and need God to help me to give more financially for him, and to keep less for myself!

 

[Ariel Anguish Dove]

You don't need to give $1 million to impress the lord you can use your skills and talent also?! And you know if your poor and can't give anything then sharing the Gospel will really please God above all else!

Luke 15:7
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Matthew Henry commentary
The parable of the lost sheep is very applicable to the great work of man's redemption. The lost sheep represents the sinner as departed from God, and exposed to certain ruin if not brought back to him, yet not desirous to return. Christ is earnest in bringing sinners home. In the parable of the lost piece of silver, that which is lost, is one piece, of small value compared with the rest. Yet the woman seeks diligently till she finds it. This represents the various means and methods God makes use of to bring lost souls home to himself, and the Saviour's joy on their return to him. How careful then should we be that our repentance is unto salvation!

I am delighted in the Lord you mention the parable of the widow! As I did not realize you actually did until i read your post again! I was about to post something on that too! So I am very happy we both had the same thought and now you can know the correct understanding of it.

The Widow's Last Two Mites

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Hi,

I can't say I fully understand biblical prosperity. It is a part of God's plan for us but it may not always be financial. The bible says:

Pro 16:8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

Righteousness brings peace, joy, and hope, as the fruits of the Spirit are these. Our first task is not to seek riches but to be happy with what ever situation we currently have:

Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

The gospel is not about getting money, as the bible says:

1Ti 6:5-6 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain.

However there is nothing wrong with seeking to be blessed or have increase in your life. As the following scriptures show. But never make money the "thing" or "focus".

Deu 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

Deu 28:2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

Deu 28:3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

Deu 28:4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

Deu 28:5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

Deu 28:6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

Deu 28:7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

Deu 28:8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Deu 28:9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.

Deu 28:10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.

Deu 28:11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

Deu 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

Deu 28:13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

Deu 28:14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.