Prosperity Teachings

[NotEnoughFaith2BeAtheist]

This is not to codemn anyone, but I hope this will just make you question your motives.

I know there are a lot of prosperity teachers (none will be named) out there today, and reading this has provided a lot to think about for me:


Some Prosperity teachers equate wealth to a sign of godliness and faith. The Bible says otherwise.

"This is what the wicked are like-- always carefree, they increase in wealth." (Psalm 73:12)

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Matt. 6:24)

"He said to them, 'You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight." (Luke 16:15)

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Matt.19:23-24) Note: It is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.

"Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days." (James 5:1-3)

"But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape." (Mal. 3:15)

"They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be an unclean thing. Their silver and gold will not be able to save them in the day of the LORD's wrath. They will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it, for it has made them stumble into sin." (Ezk. 7:19)

"But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business." (James 1:10-11)

"You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." (Rev. 3:17)

[See the link for the rest of the article: http://www.cdu.jesusanswers.com/prosperity.html ]

 

[Entertaining_Angels]

I know from experience (when I was taken in by these teachings), simply reading something like this is not going to make you question your beliefs. It takes the Holy Spirit in you prodding you to desire Truth. When life is good, we are not as apt to be looking for truth. Seems sad but most come away from these teachings when they hit rock bottom.

 

[charityagape]

This is not to codemn anyone, but I hope this will just make you question your motives.

I know there are a lot of prosperity teachers (none will be named) out there today, and reading this has provided a lot to think about for me:

OH don't be shy, of course its condemning, to those unnamed prosperity teachers. And yes WE should question our motives. And go ahead and name names, in fact I insist, otherwise how can statements like the one below be defended?

Some Prosperity teachers equate wealth to a sign of godliness and faith. The Bible says otherwise.

Some? Who? Equate wealth as a sign of godliness and faith? Exact quotes, in context, please.

Gotta go, but I'll continue at a later time.


Oh and here's the link for this entire teaching.

http://www.cdu.jesusanswers.com/prosperity.html

 

[catlover]

The whole point is I'm trying to get you to see - to get you out of this malaise of thinking that Jesus and the disciples were poor and then relating that to you - thinking that you, as a child of God, have to follow Jesus. The Bible says that He has left us an example that we should follow His steps. That's the reason why I drive a Rolls Royce. I'm following Jesus' steps. (Ever Increasing Faith on Trinity Broadcasting Network, December 9, 1990.)

 

[JimfromOhio]

I posted this in Prosperity Doctrine or True Financial Stewardship? thread.

In the last 30 years, prosperity teaching have referred to our ability to have wealth from God through our faith. There's alot of talk about "doctrine of Prosperity" coming from various teachers, especially from Word of Faith teachers. Their faith and prosperity teachings states that we can have the nice cars, big homes, and great lifestyle if we have faith in God and plant seeds. Jesus never preached how to be earthly prosperity. The Apostles surely didn't either. Why should Pastors preach Wealth and Prosperity? True Pastors preaches the right attitude of wealth and prosperity from God's point of view rather than the world's point of view. I have said in the past that when someone uses the word "Prosperity" as "one of their primary" topics, they are using it to encourage people have strong desires for pleasures and wealth more than spiritual. My main problem with Word of Faith preachers are using "prosperity" to attract people with itching ears so they will be motivated to do something for themselves rather than sound spiritual docrine. When I do, I am reminded of this verse:

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. — 2 Timothy 4:3

When I look at prosperity from the Biblical perspective, I have found such teachings are not biblically sound. Over the years, I have had prospered greatly by looking at my life as a whole. Spiritually, true prosperity is not measured in dollars and cents, rather it is measured by progressing in the things that I am doing according to God's will. Everything belongs to God, who calls the Church (Christians) to live in faithful stewardship of all that God has entrusted to us. Throughout my struggles in life, I have learned that people tend to focus on how to prosper rather than spiritual stewardship. Spiritual stewardship is looking at my financial situation and to look at my life spiritually in from God's perspectives. My spiritual life of a Christian should be focusing on God and His purpose for me individually where He have put me. Understanding what Prosperity doctrine really means spiritually. Jesus warned about greed (see Luke 12). Wealth that is earned for personal growth rather than spiritual growth is not being used to fulfill God’s purpose. God is the one who gave me the ability to make a good living and have a great job. Looking back my Christian life, I have learned what is the purpose of God doing in my life.

I don't like Christians using the term "Prosper or Prosperity" because the words give out the wrong message of true finanical stewardship. Focusing on Financial Stewardship rather than Doctrine of Prosperity is the key. The word steward means: manager, custodian, caretaker, administrator, or trustee of God's properties. The steward is the person that effectively and efficiently uses the money and resources that God has given to as Christian duty. I have posted in other threads that the KEY is: How do you manage the money that you receive from our paycheck or earn an income from personal business. God's main goal is for us to earn enough to live by. Money is used to meet our daily needs such as food, utility bills and other expenses. God would meet all of our needs (Matthew 6), however God will not meet our selfish desires. There is nothing wrong with having a desire for something as long as our motives are correct. It is important that we look from God's perspective in our stewardship so that we are not pursuing desires against God's will and purpose. Because if we are pursuiing our selfish desires rather than God's will and purpose, then our motives are wrong. Christians' view of money and material possessions is an effective barometer of our spirituality. As Jesus said,

"Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21).

In Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." (NLT)

In Proverbs 21:2, "People may think they are doing what is right, but the Lord examines the heart." (NLT)

If we are seeking God for our own selfishness (self-interest) other than our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ is a form of idolatry. We all need to guard ourselves and be on the watch for any that takes away our true worship that belongs only to God.

 

[NotEnoughFaith2BeAtheist]

OH don't be shy, of course its condemning, to those unnamed prosperity teachers. And yes WE should question our motives. And go ahead and name names, in fact I insist, otherwise how can statements like the one below be defended?

No it's not supposed to condemn... No I will not name names because then people will start shredding this thread apart like rabid bulldogs.


Some? Who? Equate wealth as a sign of godliness and faith? Exact quotes, in context, please.

You want me to give you an exact quote? Well I don't know where I can find them written but I've heard them on TV a lot and radio sometimes.

Gotta go, but I'll continue at a later time.


Oh and here's the link for this entire teaching.

http://www.cdu.jesusanswers.com/prosperity.html
One thing you got right

Red is me

 

[catlover]

Charityagape from what I gather from your post, you are saying there are some disagreements with in the prosperity doctrine teachings. You seem to believe that a person's needs can be met by faith, rather than wealth and excess. Some other posters involved in the prosperity doctrine, seem to equate wealth and excess with faith. Correct me if I am wrong in this observation, please.

 

[charityagape]

Hm maybe. I don't think wealth equals faith, Michael Jackson has wealth and sucess. However, I think the Christian who has wealth owes that to faith in God. Or to their parents. Its God that gives the power to get wealth.

Also, prosperity does not equal tons of cash, it can be tons of cash, but it doesn't have to be. It's about God meeting your needs. Whatever those needs may be.

 

[catlover]

Hm maybe. I don't think wealth equals faith, Michael Jackson has wealth and sucess. However, I think the Christian who has wealth owes that to faith in God. Or to their parents. Its God that gives the power to get wealth.

Also, prosperity does not equal tons of cash, it can be tons of cash, but it doesn't have to be. It's about God meeting your needs. Whatever those needs may be.

Thank-you, for the clarification. I,also,believe God can meet our needs and sometimes our wants. It depends on what His judgement is on the matter.

 

[LittleRocketBoy]

I suppose the opposite argument could be thrown up here just as easily:
"I know there are a lot of poverty teachers (none will be named) out there today, and reading this has provided a lot to think about for me:
Some Poverty teachers equate poverty to a sign of godliness and faith. The Bible says otherwise...."

It is simply wrong to equate someones economic state with their spiritual condition. It works both ways. Fact is: for every so-called "prosperity preacher" there are a thousand "poverty preachers" who tell believers that poverty is a sign of holiness and righteousness.
Besides being hypocrites and not practicing what they preach (as most of them are considered rich by NT standards) they ignore the scriptures that in fact do equate prosperity with being righteous.

Here is a condensed study of the facts of what the word says. (From "Gods Plan for Man" - Dake)


SCRIPTURAL PROOF THAT GOD WILLS PROSPERITY

God has definitely made many promises that all His children can be prosperous and happy. "Be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law . . . turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, THAT THOU MAYEST PROSPER WHITHERSOEVER THOU GOEST . . - thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do all that is written therein: FOR THEN THOU SHALT MAKE THY WAY PROSPEROUS, AND THEN THOU SHALT HAVE GOOD SUCCESS" (Josh. 1:5-9);

"The Lord maketh poor, and MAKETH RICH: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and -to make them inherit the throne of glory" (1 Sam. 2:7-8);

"And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways. . . THAT THOU MAYEST PROSPER IN ALL THAT THOU DOEST, AND WHITHERSOEVER THOU TURNEST THYSELF" (I Kings 2:3-4);

"Both RICHES AND HONOUR come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is POWER AND MIGHT: and in thine hand it is TO MAKE GREAT, and TO GIVE STRENGTH TO ALL" (1 Chron. 29:12);

"The hand of our God is upon all them FOR GOOD THAT SEEK HIM: but his power and his wrath IS AGAINST THEM THAT FORSAKE HIM" (Ezra 8:22);

"If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days IN PROSPERITY, and their years IN PLEASURES" (Job 36:11);

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall -not wither; and WHATSOEVER HE DOETH SHALL PROSPER" (Ps. 1:1-3).

The Psalm that is quoted by all Christians starts out with: "The Lord is my shepherd I SHALL NOT WANT" (Ps. 23:1).

Other psalms give other promises such as: "They that seek the Lord SHALL NOT WANT ANY GOOD THING" (Ps. 34:10);

"Blessed be the Lord, who DAILY LOADETH US WITH BENEFITS" (Ps. 68:19);

"NO GOOD THING WILL HE WITHHOLD FROM THEM THAT WALK UPRIGHTLY" (Ps. 84:11);

"Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS: who FORGIVETH all thine iniquities; who HEALETH all thy diseases; who REDEEMETH thy life from destruction; who CROWNETH thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; who SATISFIETH thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth IS RENEWED like the eagle's" (Ps. 103:1-5).

God promised Israel abundant prosperity if she would conform to His will (Lev. 25:21;Lev 26:4-9; Deut. 7:13-15;Deut 15:4-6;Deut 28:7-8).

Prosperity then was to be a natural result of obedience to God and His Word.

In Deuteronomy alone, according to the Fenton translation, the word "Prosper" is used many times in place of "well with thee," as in the King James Version (Deut. 5:16,29,33;Deut 6:3,18; Deut 12:28;Deut 19:13).

In Deut. 30:15 this translation reads, "I put before you today life, and prosperity, and sin, and death."

Thus prosperity is promised if men will quit the sin business. It is true sinners sometimes prosper, but they generally get rich through wrong dealings with their fellow men (Ps. 73).

Those who teach that Christians should be poor, sickly, and suffering all their days would naturally argue that these passages are in the Old Testament and refer to those under the law of Moses, but we reply, we are under a better covenant and have greater and better promises in the New Testament; so if these things were promised under the old covenant, they are for us in a greater way under the new covenant. In 2 Cor. 3:6-15 Paul argues that the glory and blessings of the old covenant were not as great as those under the new covenant; so if men could get prosperity under the old, then it is certain they can get it under the new covenant. In Hebrews Paul argues that the new covenant is a "better testament . . . established upon better promises" (Heb. 7:22;Heb 8:6) and that the law was a "shadow of good things to come" (Heb. 10:1); so if a mere shadow produced prosperity, how much more will the realities of the new covenant do the same?
Apart from this argument there are plain promises in the New Testament concerning prosperity:

"What things soever ye desire, when we pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:22-24);

Ask and it shall be given you . . . for every one that asketh receiveth. . . If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children; how much more shall your Father, which is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him? (Matt. 7:7-11);

"For after all these things [good things of life] do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:31-33);

"He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. . . God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" (2 Cor. 9:6-8);

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19);

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7,16);

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 2).
What could be more clear? How could God express His highest will any other way? Why should we limit God and His bountifulness to us just because we fear we may backslide? Why not make up our minds that we will watch any danger of riches and prosperity and act sensibly with what God blesses us? Why not use it for God's glory and the good of others and there will be no limitation concerning blessings?

GOD PROMISES ALL OF OUR WANTS
God has promised not only all of our needs but all of our WANTS, provided it is not a desire for sin. All wants and needs are provided by God in the promises of the gospel through Christ. The common theory is that just the bare needs will be met by God, and that even these necessities are hard to get, but the Bible teaches that all wants of children of God are abundantly provided for and that such supplies are easy for them to get by faith:

"All things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23);

"Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, that WHOSOEVER shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not DOUBT IN HIS HEART: BUT SHALL BELIEVE that those things which he saith shall come to pass; HE SHALL HAVE WHATSOEVER HE SAITH. Therefore I say unto you, WHAT THINGS SOEVER YE DESIRE, when ye pray, BELIEVE THAT YE RECEIVE THEM, and YE SHALL HAVE THEM" (Mark 11:22-24);

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do SHALL HE DO ALSO; and greater works than these SHALL HE DO; because I go unto my Father, and WHATSOVER YE SHALL ASK in my name, THAT WILL I DO, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask ANYTHING in my name, I WILL DO IT. . . If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask WHAT YE WILL, and IT SHALL BE DONE UNTO YOU. . . I have chosen you and ordained you . . . THAT WHATSOEVER YE shall ask of the father in my name, HE MAY GIVE IT TO YOU (John 14:12-15;Jn 15:7,16;Jn 16:23-26);

"WHATSOEVER we ask, we receive of him" (1 John 3:21-22 1 John 5:14-15).

These passages are so plain in themselves that they need no interpretation. All that is needed is faith in God and in His Word. If we believe the Bible, then it is settled that we believe that we can get whatever we ask in the name of Jesus. If we do not believe it, there is no need to try to get anything that we ask. That is how simple the whole program is. If we ask and believe, we receive. If we ask and do not believe, or if we do not ask because we do not believe, we do not receive.

God's plan for the needs of man becomes very clear when we accept at full face value the many simple promises of Scripture. There are no limitations in the provision made. All limitations come from man's unbelief and not from the plan itself. Because there are no limitations in the plan of God to get what we WANT as well as what we NEED, and because God gives "to all men liberally, and upbraideth not," let us have faith, nothing wavering, as required in James 1:5-8; Heb. 11:6; Mark 11:22-24, and get what we want.

The doctrine of no want on the part of God's people is also taught in the Old Testament. David said, "The Lord is my shepherd, I SHALL NOT WANT" (Psalms 23:1-6).
Again he said, "O fear the Lord, ye saints: for THERE IS NO WANT to them that fear him . . . they that seek the Lord SHALL NOT WANT ANY GOOD THING. . . Delight thyself in the Lord: and He shall give thee THE DESIRES OF THINE HEART" (Psalms 34:9-10;Ps 37:3-6).
Again we are told, "NO GOOD THING will He withhold from him that walketh uprightly" (Psalms 84:11).

**** end of quote ****

To suggest that people who fall in line with these clear scriptures are money grubbers and serving mammon is simply ignorance gone to seed. People who advocate poverty as holiness are not very holy.. since most of them are certainly not impoverished by NT standards.

As Jesus suggested, there is no danger of the world ever running our of poor people. I can gaurentee you, nobody advocating poverty has ever been impoverished... else they would shun it like the plague... (which oddly they have not problems with either....).

 

[catlover]

Little Rocket Boy to equate faith with earthly wealth is against The Bible. I can not agree with such a statement. It's wrong.

As for the "poverty doctrine".How about those who choose to live simply, such as The Quakers? Or some Catholic orders who take vows of poverty? Are they not following The Bible because they dont' believe a four car garage is a result of faith?

 

[JimfromOhio]

Some Prosperity teachers equate wealth to a sign of godliness and faith. The Bible says otherwise. PROSPERITY TEACHINGS

In Second Corinthians 8. The church at Macedonia was obviously going through “great trial of affliction” and “deep poverty”, yet Paul never rebukes the Macedonians for having a need but instead calls the Corinthians to share with them. Paul nevers tells them, "You should be tithing!" or, "Where is your faith?" There are preachers who say it is a sin to be poor and when you are prosperous (have money) you are blessed. Any of us who are less prosperous ordinary folks (in view of Word of Faith teachings), let's do the best we can with the gifts God has given to us to help make our world a better place in which to live spiritually. Prosperity teachings will present the Gospel as a way to live "the good life” and claim wealth is a sign of spiritual maturity. Such Prosperity teachings appeals only to our sinful (ichy ears), selfish nature (desire to be rich). True Christians are not to love the world or anything in the world (1 John 2:15) and Jesus repeatedly warned that wealth can be dangerous to our souls (Luke 8:14; 12:15; Matthew 19:21-24). The true Christian message is to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Christ, for “you cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24).

 

[Peppermint Patty]

Prosperity teaching does not teach that God is meeting our needs. It is about God meeting our wants, our desires, our every whim. Every prosperity preacher, who works for a non profit organization, is filthy rich from the money they finagled (sp?) out of poor saps desperate for money rather than for a personal relationship with God.

 

[Dragons87]

Let's see...

Prosperity theory: God will, by promise, grant personal wealth to all His followers.

In other words: All Christians should be rich.

Then...

Poverty theory: only the ones in poverty enjoy a true relationship with God.

In other words: All Christians should be poor.




The reality: There are Christians in ALL STRATAS OF SOCIETY, from the richest all the way down to the poorest. It's the simple, simple, simple truth.

In other words: BOTH theories are wrong.

 

[catlover]

Prosperity teaching does not teach that God is meeting our needs. It is about God meeting our wants, our desires, our every whim. Every prosperity preacher, who works for a non profit organization, is filthy rich from the money they finagled (sp?) out of poor saps desperate for money rather than for a personal relationship with God.

That is true with Robert Tilton. Does he still have that goofey hair do? I know he was exposed by Dateline or some show like that.

 

[Peppermint Patty]

That is true with Robert Tilton. Does he still have that goofey hair do? I know he was exposed by Dateline or some show like that.

yeah, he scares me

 

[charityagape]

I suppose the opposite argument could be thrown up here just as easily:
"I know there are a lot of poverty teachers (none will be named) out there today, and reading this has provided a lot to think about for me:
Some Poverty teachers equate poverty to a sign of godliness and faith. The Bible says otherwise...."

It is simply wrong to equate someones economic state with their spiritual condition. It works both ways. Fact is: for every so-called "prosperity preacher" there are a thousand "poverty preachers" who tell believers that poverty is a sign of holiness and righteousness.
Besides being hypocrites and not practicing what they preach (as most of them are considered rich by NT standards) they ignore the scriptures that in fact do equate prosperity with being righteous.

Here is a condensed study of the facts of what the word says. (From "Gods Plan for Man" - Dake)


SCRIPTURAL PROOF THAT GOD WILLS PROSPERITY

God has definitely made many promises that all His children can be prosperous and happy. "Be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law . . . turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, THAT THOU MAYEST PROSPER WHITHERSOEVER THOU GOEST . . - thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do all that is written therein: FOR THEN THOU SHALT MAKE THY WAY PROSPEROUS, AND THEN THOU SHALT HAVE GOOD SUCCESS" (Josh. 1:5-9);

"The Lord maketh poor, and MAKETH RICH: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and -to make them inherit the throne of glory" (1 Sam. 2:7-8);

"And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways. . . THAT THOU MAYEST PROSPER IN ALL THAT THOU DOEST, AND WHITHERSOEVER THOU TURNEST THYSELF" (I Kings 2:3-4);

"Both RICHES AND HONOUR come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is POWER AND MIGHT: and in thine hand it is TO MAKE GREAT, and TO GIVE STRENGTH TO ALL" (1 Chron. 29:12);

"The hand of our God is upon all them FOR GOOD THAT SEEK HIM: but his power and his wrath IS AGAINST THEM THAT FORSAKE HIM" (Ezra 8:22);

"If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days IN PROSPERITY, and their years IN PLEASURES" (Job 36:11);

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall -not wither; and WHATSOEVER HE DOETH SHALL PROSPER" (Ps. 1:1-3).

The Psalm that is quoted by all Christians starts out with: "The Lord is my shepherd I SHALL NOT WANT" (Ps. 23:1).

Other psalms give other promises such as: "They that seek the Lord SHALL NOT WANT ANY GOOD THING" (Ps. 34:10);

"Blessed be the Lord, who DAILY LOADETH US WITH BENEFITS" (Ps. 68:19);

"NO GOOD THING WILL HE WITHHOLD FROM THEM THAT WALK UPRIGHTLY" (Ps. 84:11);

"Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS: who FORGIVETH all thine iniquities; who HEALETH all thy diseases; who REDEEMETH thy life from destruction; who CROWNETH thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; who SATISFIETH thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth IS RENEWED like the eagle's" (Ps. 103:1-5).

God promised Israel abundant prosperity if she would conform to His will (Lev. 25:21;Lev 26:4-9; Deut. 7:13-15;Deut 15:4-6;Deut 28:7-8).

Prosperity then was to be a natural result of obedience to God and His Word.

In Deuteronomy alone, according to the Fenton translation, the word "Prosper" is used many times in place of "well with thee," as in the King James Version (Deut. 5:16,29,33;Deut 6:3,18; Deut 12:28;Deut 19:13).

In Deut. 30:15 this translation reads, "I put before you today life, and prosperity, and sin, and death."

Thus prosperity is promised if men will quit the sin business. It is true sinners sometimes prosper, but they generally get rich through wrong dealings with their fellow men (Ps. 73).

Those who teach that Christians should be poor, sickly, and suffering all their days would naturally argue that these passages are in the Old Testament and refer to those under the law of Moses, but we reply, we are under a better covenant and have greater and better promises in the New Testament; so if these things were promised under the old covenant, they are for us in a greater way under the new covenant. In 2 Cor. 3:6-15 Paul argues that the glory and blessings of the old covenant were not as great as those under the new covenant; so if men could get prosperity under the old, then it is certain they can get it under the new covenant. In Hebrews Paul argues that the new covenant is a "better testament . . . established upon better promises" (Heb. 7:22;Heb 8:6) and that the law was a "shadow of good things to come" (Heb. 10:1); so if a mere shadow produced prosperity, how much more will the realities of the new covenant do the same?
Apart from this argument there are plain promises in the New Testament concerning prosperity:

"What things soever ye desire, when we pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:22-24);

Ask and it shall be given you . . . for every one that asketh receiveth. . . If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children; how much more shall your Father, which is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him? (Matt. 7:7-11);

"For after all these things [good things of life] do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:31-33);

"He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. . . God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" (2 Cor. 9:6-8);

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19);

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7,16);

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 2).
What could be more clear? How could God express His highest will any other way? Why should we limit God and His bountifulness to us just because we fear we may backslide? Why not make up our minds that we will watch any danger of riches and prosperity and act sensibly with what God blesses us? Why not use it for God's glory and the good of others and there will be no limitation concerning blessings?

GOD PROMISES ALL OF OUR WANTS
God has promised not only all of our needs but all of our WANTS, provided it is not a desire for sin. All wants and needs are provided by God in the promises of the gospel through Christ. The common theory is that just the bare needs will be met by God, and that even these necessities are hard to get, but the Bible teaches that all wants of children of God are abundantly provided for and that such supplies are easy for them to get by faith:

"All things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23);

"Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, that WHOSOEVER shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not DOUBT IN HIS HEART: BUT SHALL BELIEVE that those things which he saith shall come to pass; HE SHALL HAVE WHATSOEVER HE SAITH. Therefore I say unto you, WHAT THINGS SOEVER YE DESIRE, when ye pray, BELIEVE THAT YE RECEIVE THEM, and YE SHALL HAVE THEM" (Mark 11:22-24);

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do SHALL HE DO ALSO; and greater works than these SHALL HE DO; because I go unto my Father, and WHATSOVER YE SHALL ASK in my name, THAT WILL I DO, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask ANYTHING in my name, I WILL DO IT. . . If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask WHAT YE WILL, and IT SHALL BE DONE UNTO YOU. . . I have chosen you and ordained you . . . THAT WHATSOEVER YE shall ask of the father in my name, HE MAY GIVE IT TO YOU (John 14:12-15;Jn 15:7,16;Jn 16:23-26);

"WHATSOEVER we ask, we receive of him" (1 John 3:21-22 1 John 5:14-15).

These passages are so plain in themselves that they need no interpretation. All that is needed is faith in God and in His Word. If we believe the Bible, then it is settled that we believe that we can get whatever we ask in the name of Jesus. If we do not believe it, there is no need to try to get anything that we ask. That is how simple the whole program is. If we ask and believe, we receive. If we ask and do not believe, or if we do not ask because we do not believe, we do not receive.

God's plan for the needs of man becomes very clear when we accept at full face value the many simple promises of Scripture. There are no limitations in the provision made. All limitations come from man's unbelief and not from the plan itself. Because there are no limitations in the plan of God to get what we WANT as well as what we NEED, and because God gives "to all men liberally, and upbraideth not," let us have faith, nothing wavering, as required in James 1:5-8; Heb. 11:6; Mark 11:22-24, and get what we want.

The doctrine of no want on the part of God's people is also taught in the Old Testament. David said, "The Lord is my shepherd, I SHALL NOT WANT" (Psalms 23:1-6).
Again he said, "O fear the Lord, ye saints: for THERE IS NO WANT to them that fear him . . . they that seek the Lord SHALL NOT WANT ANY GOOD THING. . . Delight thyself in the Lord: and He shall give thee THE DESIRES OF THINE HEART" (Psalms 34:9-10;Ps 37:3-6).
Again we are told, "NO GOOD THING will He withhold from him that walketh uprightly" (Psalms 84:11).

**** end of quote ****

To suggest that people who fall in line with these clear scriptures are money grubbers and serving mammon is simply ignorance gone to seed. People who advocate poverty as holiness are not very holy.. since most of them are certainly not impoverished by NT standards.

As Jesus suggested, there is no danger of the world ever running our of poor people. I can gaurentee you, nobody advocating poverty has ever been impoverished... else they would shun it like the plague... (which oddly they have not problems with either....).

Great Post.

 

[charityagape]

Little Rocket Boy to equate faith with earthly wealth is against The Bible. I can not agree with such a statement. It's wrong.

As for the "poverty doctrine".How about those who choose to live simply, such as The Quakers? Or some Catholic orders who take vows of poverty? Are they not following The Bible because they dont' believe a four car garage is a result of faith?

Actually, Quakers and Amish choose to live simply, but that doesn't mean they're poor. In fact, many are very very unpoor.

 

[charityagape]

Prosperity teaching does not teach that God is meeting our needs. It is about God meeting our wants, our desires, our every whim. Every prosperity preacher, who works for a non profit organization, is filthy rich from the money they finagled (sp?) out of poor saps desperate for money rather than for a personal relationship with God.

Do you know Hank Hanegraff drives a Lexus and together him and his wife bring in more that 300 thousand a year in salary, while the employees of his organization have poor benefits and a very meager pay? I guess they're finagling poor saps into believing being poor is holy.

 

[JimfromOhio]

Actually, Quakers and Amish choose to live simply, but that doesn't mean they're poor. In fact, many are very very unpoor.

Actually, I know many Quakers and Amish as well as Mennonite are very wealthy. They are wealthy regardless their simple lifestyle which is simple living and debt free. Oh yes... they are not materialistic people. There are many of them here in Ohio. They are content and happy. That's the key.