Prosperity Gospel ?
Random thoughts
Galatians 1:6-10 "6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him would be physically , and financially rich! Sounds wrong, sounds foolish, but that is what is being preached out in the world today!Jesus said "I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly" More, and abundant! that’s what we hear. We think of material things. But think about the kind of life God wants us to hav. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life! These fleshly bodies have an experation date stamped on them somewhere. This life is not full, because it is brief. Do you want an abundance of life? That would be a life that does not end! The pastors of today are telling people that Jesus shed His blood on Calvary so that they can be healthy and happy! Do you believe that? Jesus did not come into the world to spread the wealth. He came to shed His blood as a payment for the sins of mankind. Does God bless some people with wealth and good health? Yes, but others are cursed with the same thing! Cursed with health and wealth how can that be, maybe I want to be a little cursed! It is harder for a rich man to enter heaven than a camel to go through the eye of a needle. Good health a curse? If you never are sick, never in need of healing, how can get to know the great physician. Jesus didn’t come for the righteous, he came for the sinner, it is not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick! God did give great wealth to a man. we’ve read about him before. He was a king named Solomon. The richest king ever! Do you know why God gave him great wealth? Because Solomon who could have asked God for anything, asked for great wisdom to rule God’s people! To a man of great wisdom and a desire to serve God wealth can do great things. The temple that Solomon built for God was said to be the most beautiful ornate temple ever! You’ve heard the conversation between man and God, God, to you what is a billion dollars? It’s as a penny. God, to you what is a billion years? Tis but a minute. God, can I have a penny? In a minute!
I know I’ve told the story about the founder of caterpillar corp. He when he launched his business early on decided he would give to the Lord as the Lord prospered his company. by the end of his life He was giving ninety percent of his earning to the Lord and living on ten percent! Granted we would be happy to have a tenth of that ten percent! Wealth is but a tool to be used for God’s glory! Jesus the king of kings went hungry, He was homeless on earth. God’s only begotten Son was without! But, God wants you to be rich! The end of Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus tells those who would listen not to seek after wealth. Think about the story of the wealthy man who had an abundance of crops so much so, he could have shared. Instead he decided to tear down his barns and build bigger ones. Jesus called him a fool! Folks I don’t know what God’s financial plan is for you. But, I do know this that Jesus Christ has come into this world that we might escape the wrath to come! 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." Ephesians 3:20 is a verse we like to quote, sometimes in wrong context it says " 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us," Ooh that sounds good, exceeding abundance. Let’s read the verse in context.
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
I could tell you that Jesus came so that you would have a great life, healthy, wealthy and happy, but that would be another gospel. It’s a lie! Jesus came to pay the penalty for your sins! This is the true Gospel; Jesus Christ left His place in heaven to be born of a virgin, to live a sinnless perfect life among men, that He could be the sacrificial lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. He was falsely accused and convicted, He was tortured beaten bloodied and bruised. He would willingly take the nails, the shame of the cross, and bear the sins of the world in His body. Jesus died on that cross, along with our sin debt, he was buried and layed three days in a borrowed grave. But on that third day He rose from the grave conquering hell, death and the grave! After being seen by the disciples and many witnesses He ascended and sits athe right hand of God the Father ever making intercession for us! He came to pay a debt we could not afford. Phil 4:19 "19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Oh boy riches in glory! Do you have a new understading of that verse? Pay close attention to the last words "by Christ Jesus" What is mans greatest need? A Saviour... God knows those things that are needed in this world and he does provide. But Jesus did not come that you might be rich! But that you might have a saviour.
