I believe God wants us prosperous in everything we do and in every area of our lives. I believe there is a balance. We are warned against the love of money. This is a crucial piece of the puzzle. We must be cautious to guard our heart and our attitude. If we do though, and we obey God and walk in His commandments He promises us prosperity along with our healing, and victory. Does that mean we will never go through any trials or difficult times? No, but he is faithful to reward those who seek Him.
Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
The curse of the law includes poverty (Deut 28:15-45).
1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
We also have to look at our responsibility in all this. We have to take some responsibility. If we are not faithful in little we can not be faithful in much. We also have to be diligent to work and be fruitful with what we have been provided. I do not believe that Biblical prosperity is about sitting at home claiming debt being paid off and money just raining down. We have to be diligent in our efforts.
Deut 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
Proverbs 10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
2 comments:
I really enjoyed your thoughts on this and the scriptures you offered.
The first thing I thought of while reading was a scripture I've prayed over the years along these lines.
...God loves a cheerful giver.
II Cor 9:6-11 - I love the whole passage here but for the sake of my comment here is the text (vs.8-9) I pray specifically...
And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!
Abundance is necessary for the believer to fund the Kingdom of God. It is necessary for the believer to be able to follow one's heart and "give" when prompted- either to help a need or to be a blessing in another life.
Certainly I've heard many arguments along these lines but in the end... our focus --as you said--- is not to be on the money... it is to be on the freedom to live as God called us to live.
If I am in debt or strapped into a lot of obligations owing money and God asks me to move or to 'go' or to change jobs that maybe provides less money but perhaps better suits the long-term plan of God... most likely I won't even be in tune with that call due to my own demanding money obligations and the words "I can't do that" would be the answer to the call.
Meems you said, "Abundance is necessary for the believer to fund the Kingdom of God. It is necessary for the believer to be able to follow one's heart and "give" when prompted- either to help a need or to be a blessing in another life."
I could not agree more. I believe this is one of the main reasons God wants His people to prosper. We need to be able to spread the gospel and to impact others through our generous giving. If we don't have the means to give, it is very difficult to be a blessing to others.
If anyone would like to read more on Biblical propserity and see a balanced approach to the topic of prosperity as it is laid forth in the Bible I highly recommend the book Midas Touch by Kenneth Hagin.
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