Intoduction
This is really a big debate in this particular topic of ‘Prosperity’
Does God really want His people prosper or just barely get by?
There are many critics of this so called prosperity teaching but what does the word of God really says about this?
Just recently, I posted this in my facebook,
“I think the idea that God either causes or allows evil so that somehow, we will grow spiritually is the worst heresy in the body of Christ. It renders people passive and takes away their hope. -Andrew Wommack
I quoted John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
I got this comment from a friend: The context of John 10 speaks about eternal life, for Jesus spoke that He lays down his life for His sheep, and we know why he did that, for us to have LIFE (ZOE) not just life (BIOS). God permits things to happen to us for our character building (Christlikeness) and that is what Paul is talking about in Romans 8.
I got his point that Jesus was speaking about eternal life here, but my point here was, eternal life is not to be experienced only when you get to heaven.
The fullness of this eternal life should be experience here on earth.
We don’t need abundance in heaven.
With regards to 2nd part of the comment that “God permits things to happen to us for our character building (Christlikeness) and that is what Paul is talking about in Romans 8.
I don’t know if you fathers here, will put your child’s hand to the fire just to teach them that fire will burn them.
If God wants me to learn something we have His words to teach us:
2 Timothy 3:16 (New International Version
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
Yes, I believe that ‘LIFE’ in John 10:10 is ZOE, meaning eternal life.
It is also important to remember that the word "save" in the Greek is the word sozo which literally means to heal, preserve, save, do well, and be (make) whole.
It means deliverance in the present as well as in the future or in eternity, physical as well as spiritual.
The word abundance in John 10:10 is “perissos” exceeding some number or measure or rank or need. superior, extraordinary, surpassing, uncommon
When Jesus saved us His intention was not only to save our souls, but also to save us from our present physical condition.
The enemy can only attack us in the area of our ignorance.
You may believe that prosperity is not for you, you are not sinning for that.
But why live below your given privileges?
I asked God, “Lord, why some of your children are so skeptic about prosperity?”
The Holy Spirit whispered this thoughts in my heart: “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion”
I know this verse is somewhere in the book of Corinthians so I run immediate to biblegateway. (Praise God for the internet!)
2 Corinthians 9:10-12
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Let us see what we can learn from this passage.
God is the one who supplies seed to the sower.
Sometimes when we receive something from God we think we need to consume it all.
A real farmer does not have that kind of thinking. He separates the seed so that he may plant again.
The seed plays a major role in our prosperity. Prosperity does not happen by accident. Or I should say, harvest does not happen by accident.
Don’t eat all your seeds, and when you plant your seed have the spirit of expectation, because all farmers expect harvest.
Many Christian say, “Oh ! when I give, I don’t expect in return.
2Timothy 2:6
The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
Those of you who are seeking wisdom about biblical prosperity, need to understand that it is not something you just find.
No one can give it to you; you must create it the desire within your self.
And be aware now, that when you receive something from God in order to multiply it you need to sow part of it.
The bible is not against prosperity, but against covetousness, greed and trusting in wealth.
The prosperity critics use this passage to defend their argument.
Luke 18: 18-23
Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’
And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”
So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
The law was designed so that we will have the need of God.
This man was full of himself: “All these things I have kept from my youth”
But Jesus knew that this man loves his riches rather than God.
With regards to the commandments, if you failed in one, you failed in all.
But this passage is not teaching us not to be rich or to be rich is against the will of God.
Our heart always goes where put our seed.(money)
Matthew 6:21
...For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The bible is teaching us to sow seeds or to give as an antidote (cure) to greed and materialism.
As God frees us from greed He is also preparing us for our prosperity.
1Timothy 6:17-18
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
Again this passage is not against riches but against putting hope in your wealth.
Did you know there are prosperity scriptures that tell us we can be wealthy, have prosperity, and live in abundance?
PSALM 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.
PSALM 35:27 …Let the Lord be magnified, Who takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.
Deuteronomy 8:18
But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
Proverbs 10:22
The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.
Conclusion:
God prosper us not just to raise up our standard of living but also to raise up the standard of our giving.
The mindsets of the people who are in poverty think that they are exempted when it comes to giving.
“I am poor” you should help me
When you receive something set aside some seeds, and plants it in the work of God.
Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
This what God put in my heart while I am studying this:
Many of you will be awed by the financial blessing you will receive by believing this teaching.
Let me leave you with this passage:
2 Corinthians 8: 1,2
And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
Verse 3
For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.
Listen this; the seeds that you sow today will be a provision to your future need.
Remember wealth does not always mean money. It is an abundance in spirit , soul and body.
