Originally posted by Polycarp
taken out of context you would have a point - but let us look at the passage:
Luke 9
They did not go - Christ worked a miracle - imagine that.
The "prosparity" gospel is week - it does not stand on solid ground with the few "proof texts" that are taken out of context. Let us look at see what the early church believed about the prosparity gosple - I am at work now - but when I am at home later today - i will quote from the first church between the years 33-325.
Speaking about taking out of context - that is just what supporters of the prosperity gospel do - they fail to look at toto-scriptura for there answers. The gospel message I here over and over is "blessed are the poor" "the first shall be last" "who can server two masters - money and god" etc etc - the primary claim of the prosparity gospel supporters is that if you truely believe you will be prosperous - money money - land land - food food, etc. How does this reflect toto-scriptura.
That is true, because Jesus had other plans. They did not go, but they could have.
And, unless it's from the Bible, no need to quote me what the early church wrote. What's written in the Bible is what I believe. The disciples and Jesus were not poor. They did choose to not live extravegent lifestyles.
Paul wrote, that he was comfortable either way. He'd experienced it both ways. It is not a blessing to be continuously in need and or sick. Most of the prosperity teachers I have listened to routinely give money and things away. And, they routinely, have money and things given to them. They keep giving it away and God keeps resupplying it so they can continue to give it away. And, they do. But you don't know anything about that, do you?
I have experienced this law of giving and receiving in my own life too. According to the world's standards I am not rich, but I never go in want. Whenever I do get sick, which is extremely rare, I get over it much quicker than the unbelievers (saved/unsaved) around me.
If you have not read it on another thread I'll share one that is particularly endearing to me. Several years ago, in the apartment complex I lived in, I was surrounded by several unoccupied apts. I prayed and asked God to send me neighbors that would recieve the seed of the Gospel that I plant.
Within a few weeks several new neighbors moved in. The one's directly below me, I started talking to one day and noticed the Russian accent (I've been to Russia twice on mission trips). I asked them where they were from, and my ear heard correctly, they were from Russia and the surrounding areas.
Within a few weeks, one day getting ready for work I heard what sounded like a lot of people outside the apt. I looked out the window to see about 20 people waiting outside. . . all Russian of course
I said, God, you've brought them to my door. During a couple years time I began to teach several of them English, using a Bible based English learning book.
One night I was watching TBN, which I normally do not watch, and they were interviewing a Russian general who is a christian who gives Bibles to his men.
I rushed downstairs to have my friends watch the show since they would understand what was being said. They sat glued to the TV. Afterwords, one of them asked me how she could get a Bible.
I said, Lord, I need Russian Bibles. The next day, I mailed off for approx 3 (that's all I could afford at the time). My pastor found out about it and took up an offering so I could purchase more. When I received the 1st package, I gave them out. The next day, I had people I had never met come up to me and ask for Bibles. In that shipment I orderd not only Russian, but Ukrain, Polish, Ugoslavian, etc. The Lord had litterally brought the nations to my door step. I still cry, even as I write this at the creativity of our God.
It has been at least 6 years and I am still receiving and giving Russian, etc Bibles away. I've had total strangers walk up to me with bags in their hands asking me if I know anyone who needs Russsian Bibles, and they hand me the bag.
Such a small thing, but the more I keep giving them out the more God keeps supplying them. What can I say? God is awesome. He cares about us. Body, soul, and spirt. He came to make us whole. He came so that we could be like Him.
You're right. He did not come to make us horders, but givers. We can't give unless we have.
Excess is for giving away to others who need it. Jesus said, give to the poor. But how can we do that if we are the poor? How can we give when we're in debt to every credit card company around? Jesus said, lay hands and heal. But how can we do that if we don't believe that God heals? How are we supposed to obey God in these areas according to your theology?