It amazes me that when a preacher talks about money (tithing and giving) some think they are preaching or speaking about a prosperity gospel. However, Jesus talked about money more than He talked about heaven, hell, sin, repentance, or love. Jesus used money in 11 of His 39 parables to teach spiritual truths. Money, as you know, isn’t the root of all evil. It’s the love of money that’s the root of all kinds of evil. He did caution about possessions and riches, but He never said it was a sin to prosper in a financial way. We need to remember that it’s God who gives the power to obtain wealth (Deut. 8:18): “If you start thinking to yourselves, “I did all this. And all by myself. I’m rich. It’s all mine!”— well, think again. Remember that GOD, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today.”
So, what is Christian prosperity? The purpose of prosperity is for establishing God’s covenant and His Word in the hearts of men. We are called to finance the gospel and any ministries that are bringing people into a covenant relationship with the Living God. A Christian can be rich, love Jesus, and use her wealth to build God’s Kingdom or may hoard it all for himself. And some who have little are stingy with all that they have and give nothing to further God’s Kingdom or choose not to give. They may be greedy and have a loved of money and want to keep it all for themselves or they may be the most gracious gives even though they have little. 3 John 1:2 says, (I love the way the Message translation says this), “We’re the best of friends, and I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul!”
1 Timothy 6:17 says, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” Now, Timothy didn’t say ‘not’ to be rich, but he wanted us to know that we cannot put our trust, hope, love and future in our wealth. God doesn’t want us to be arrogant because of our possessions. He wants us to be rich in good works and use our money to help others. John prayed that we would prosper. Matthew tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and He will give us what we need.
We don’t come to Jesus because we want a new house or a new car, but we come to Jesus because we are lost and need a Savior. “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” 2 Peter 1:2-3
“Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage— to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.” 1 Tim. 6:17-19 (MSG)
“Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity (health, welfare) of his servant.” Psalm 35:27
I must end with this: I am rich in this life first because of Christ. He has blessed me with a beautiful family and wonderful friends. Yes, I enjoy the material things He has allowed me to have, but they are not what brings me joy and peace. Christ, alone, is my joy, peace, and life. There’s a song written by James Easter and his brothers, Russell and Edward in the 50s that reminds us how rich we are:
There’s a roof up above me
I’ve a good place to sleep
There’s food on my table
And shoes on my feet
You gave me your love Lord
And a fine family
Thank you Lord
For your blessings on me
I say hallelujah! Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me.
BLESSING
“May your life be blessed as you walk in God’s ways. I pray that you’ll delight in God’ Word; that you saturate your mind with His commandments. May you be like the tree planted by the water so that you bear fruit and prosper. Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.”
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