Quite true. Rather than just a hand-out, people need a hand-up. I have often thought that this is one of the reasons that the prosperity message caught on with such vigour among the African American church. Historically, this community has been economically disadvantaged. The message of a God who empowers His people to prosper is a powerful draw to those that know what it means to truly struggle financially day to day.
I would note also, that the so-called father of the modern WOF movement, Kenneth Hagin, did not come from the affluent coastal areas of the United States, where white wealth is/was concentrated. He came from the poor areas of the southern midwest, where poeple of all colors by and large lived in rather abject poverty, from the time of the dust bowl. This is the crucible of struggle that produced the faith message, and motivated this man to believe God for His promises to be manifested in His life.
In either case, whether in the inception of the modern faith movement in the predominately white southern midwest; or its populaity among the centers of predominately African American city populations; or its utter explosion among the peoples of the third world; the message of faith, and prosperity, believing God for His promises to be manifested in ones life, whether white or black, or red or yellow or brown; the fact is, that the promises of God empower people to reach beyond their circumstance, for something better, in the belief that God desires the best for them, not the worst, and that He cares about their physical estate, and not just their spiritual state.
Peace...
Indeed.
Interesting to see what you noted in regards to the background Hagin came from, as I didn't know that he came from the backwoods area he did. Seeing how he knew intimately what it was like to be impoverished, it's no surprise as to why he so valued the blessing of the Lord prospering His people. And because he valued prosperity in its proper context, it's why he took the time to rebuke those who took it out of context...as seen in
"The Midas Touch" when it came to people taking concepts that others were blessed by in the Faith movement....and turning them into abusive practices (i.e. the concept of reaping and sowing being used to say one can say whatever they desire/get it simply by asking--even if it goes against God's heatrt, the concept of saying all forms of giving MUST result in getting financial blessing back, giving under pressure as often occurs on telethons asking for money on Christian broadcasting networks when others say "God will curse you if you're hearing this and don't give", etc).
For anyone wanting more, one can go
here and
here.
I'm always amazed when people try to "expose" others such as Hagin...or for that matter, others like Dollar for teaching Prosperity....and yet in the process, people often become aware of the many ways that they already do extensive outreach in the community.
The many times I've had debates with those who are WOF Antagonists trying to attack anything/everything WOF and yet ignoring what it was like for others in impoverished situations to experience it/be blessed and restored (as seen
here,
here,
here,
here,
here,
here,
here,
here,
here,
here,
here,
here,
here,
here, etc)...it always bothered me extensively...and I wondered how often people would really consider culture making a difference. I really take seriously the cultural issues of Prosperity Theology for Black Church here in the WEST---and reasons behind why it's the case that Prosperity Theology has impacted the Black Church the way that it has...........especially as it relates to most blacks wishing to leave impoverished conditions and move to the Surburbs (also known as "Black
Flight")--and loving the image of successful blacks in economics who are good stewards of finances/resources for themselves and the community. The same principle goes for impacting impoverished communities AROUND the world and seeing the ways that being "prosperous" may shift from place to place...and yet what remains the same is that others are being aided (more found
here and
here ).
On a side note, as it concerns prosperity, something interesting I always thought humorous is when people would come up and say "If you believe in WOF, you must support that 'Money Cometh!!' foolishness by people who say they claim finances and don't have jobs!!!. Obviously, for those aware of it, they're speaking in reference to Leroy Thompson...whom I've had my fair share of disagreements, some sharp and others light.
Some of what he stated, however, needs to be understood in the context if occurred in. ..
Actually, as there was a discussion elsewhere where Brother JediK actually brought up direct quotes from the Book "Money Cometh".and as he stated:
"God wants Christians to get past always looking to get something, and to instead be looking to give "big" to the Gospel, having plenty left over to live and abundant life!"
"No, we're not to be in covetousness, but we are in covenant. We are to be contolling this financial system instead of this financial system controlling us."
"You ought to picture people who are in debt and distress and then picture yourself helping them."
"Have the right attitude about those who are blessed. And then have the right attitude about those who are broke; give them something."
"God wants us to have money so we can spread the Gospel and bring Bibles to those who have never heard about Jesus. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost (Matthew 18:11). That is our mission today-- and we need money to do that. We need to build churches and send ministers out to preach the Gospel. We need millions of dollars to do that, and God is giving it to us!"
"God doesn't want you to have financial pressure. He wants you to have financial power. What's the difference between financial pressure and financial power? Financial pressure means you're in debt, in distress and you're discouraged. Financial power means you're free from debt. You've got a savings account, and you're looking for somebody to bless!"
"God doesn't want you to trust in riches, but in Him, the Living God.".
Many of the concepts/quotes are things I enjoyed learning of ..for as much as I may disagree with someone running onstage with money on it (as Leroy has done sadly), the phrase "Money Cometh" is not something one can have issue with on all aspects when seen in context of the larger teaching it is apart of (Biblical Financial Stewardship)......especially as it relates to others believing that God either desires them to always remain in poverty or that financial breaktrhough is never something God has in mind.
When it comes to many of the "Money Cometh" video clips (snippets) that are often brought up in the attempt to critique/discredit others, its always interesting that the entire 30 minute sermon is never given in full---with it portrayed as if others just come into the sanctuary saying "MONEY COMETH", throw away money and then go home expecting a check later on. And its interesting to consider, seeing that a snippet video from Youtube (which doesn't take long to look up--nor does it require real research) can never accurately what the atmosphere of a church is for months.....nor does it deal with FIRST-HAND accounts/testimonies of what others in the church did and what was actually taught for weeks at a time....................
And thankfully, others have sought to give more extensive information on how the concept is played out. For another video on the issue, one can go online/look up the following:
- "God said Money Cometh - Pastor Duane Broom" ( //vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=35157453 )
- "Live the Kingdom Of God! - Dr. Duane Broom " ( //vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&playlist=26579900&pt=1&i=1&videoid=59000772 )
The concept of "MONEY COMETH!!!" was never a matter of just yelling "MONEY COME TO ME NOW" like its magic---where one still doesn't have to save, work a job hard and submit one's finances to the Lord.....but one dealing with understanding that its within one's ability to take authority over circumstances/stop being a VICTIM...knowing that despite any circumstances and how it appears, God always has his people covered. When the gas prices are high, rather than complaining about it if/when funds are low and things are tight, one can understand that God already has financial supply coming for those who seek Him/His Kingdom first..and declare what God has said on their situation according to the Word....just like one in a depression and declaring joy to come to them in the Lord.
For anyone assuming that it means to just claim/say something and do nothing else---or simply declare and yet not walk according to Biblical Principles of Financial Stewardship and not be focused SOLELY on money alone (as many have done in the WOF Camp, within Toxic WOF circles)--that's a problem.
With the quotes referenced earlier in the "Money Cometh" book, Initially, I had no idea the man had a book stating such as the quotes (which is more than reasonable and something not to be ignored), even if disagreeing with anything else the man has to say...and to be clear, there are MANY things I disagree with the brother on. But I'm glad for what the man does speak on...as Biblically, DEBT is not a blessing---and a bondage, especially seeing how often it drains the life out of others....including my mother when she had to deal for years in paying back loans for Medical School/being harassed by Creditors while trying to simultaneously take care of a child born out of wedlock and being very much on her own at times (Proverbs 22:7, Proverbs 13:23
As I've mentioned before elsewhere, when it comes to certain messages, many times people fail to take notice of the groups attracted to or blessed by it/what the message meant to them. And on the issue of DEBT/POVERTY, generally it was those who were GOING THROUGH and feeling hopeless in a myriad of ways (i.e. not being able to place food on the table, not being able to afford any clothing/school supplies for the kids, not being able to give generously to those areas in the Kingdom on their heart because their own bills/money issues are too much to handle, always living pay-check to pay-check and not being able to really save anything up for the future due to always having immediate needs/survival at stake).
Growing up impoverished and moving up later in time, it's something that's a sensitive issue....especially in the Black Community where issues of impoverishment are often MOST prevalent....and many times IGNORED (often by the same people who critique the Faith Movement). Those listening to the message were blessed by it because of how it impacted their lives practically/aided them in being better Kingdom Citizens..
The reason some were blessed by the message is because of how it aided them in the financial situations/seeing God operate powerfully on their behalf. It can be annoying at times to see people respond as if folks are just making stuff up out of NOWHERE and not seeing results---or all that's the focus for others is "MONEY MONEY!!!!." But again, for most of the people who say such things, it's amazing to see how quickly people change when it's THEIR SON OR DAUGHTER who cannot afford basic medical treatment because mom got sick/had to skip work---with the consequence being that she did not get paid for that day of work.....and thus lose that paycheck that was going to make a difference in one already struggling to have a LIVING-Wage
For everyone who seems to think that prospering is automatically a negative, I'm always wondering how hypocritical it is when people saying that live in conditions that those in 3rd world nations all say are "rich"...be it owning a car, having food on the table or having/working a job to take care of one's family. It always seems that people against any aspect of prosperity in WOF define being "prosperous"/too "rich" as simply having MORE than what they have.....even as they ignore where others look right back and them and say they're rich.
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