THE PROSPERITY OF GOD
Sometimes in the Charismatic and/or Pentecostal movements, there have been some extremes. There have been those that have made the mistake of trying to exaggerate what God is actually doing.
God doesn’t really want us to become some kind of an extremist in how we live our Christian lives.
I believe God wants us to live wholesome and moderate lives that glorify Him, without taking attention away from what He is doing.
As an example there have been some who have gone off the deep end with the teaching of prosperity. This is probably one of the most exaggerated (supposed) moves of God in this generation of believers.
Unfortunately, there are some so called prosperity ministry, and it’s messengers, that have tried to spiritually manipulate their followers.
There have been the promises of prosperity made to their listeners that include all kinds of nonsense.
If you will give to this ministry your kids teeth will grow in straight and with no cavities. Although there might be a little truth in what they are preaching, the problem is that there is too much exaggerating taking place.
And this is at the expense of sincere, but unknowing listeners that have fallen prey to the prosperity message.
The comparison we could make this evening would be what Jesus had to do with the merchants and moneychangers in the Temple (in Matthew 21).
What complicates things is that many other non-Christians, or unchurched folks, hearing this message of half truths are offended and confused.
We need to clear the air on these falsehoods. Let’s look at is biblical. It is important we do this because the hour is late and the devil is oftentimes the only one benefiting from the church’s message of prosperity.
Many Christians are so confused when they don’t need to be.
Part of the problem we are faced with is the lack of biblical teaching about THE PROSPERITY OF GOD.
Text: Colossians 3:5
Greek word for greed is an “eager and constant desire for more…a craving desire for more than we need.”
Greed is idolatry. It is a fixation for something else that will come between you and the Lord.
Jonah 2:8
"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
This passage is referring to those who are not right with God, but it also gives us insight how we may be destroying ourselves after we become a Christian.
Regardless of whether we are a Christian or not, this is the results of the sinful “earthly nature” (Colossians 3:5) we struggle with from time to time.
Then take into consideration that we are challenged to be giving Christians who live to be generous to others and our church.
It can get complicated with the war of our “earthly nature” and our generosity to give sacrificially.
If we are not careful, we may misinterpret the teaching of prosperity and cause serious consequences with our walk with God.
For some that get way out of control with this teaching, it can take on a new tone of being religious.
That is people proclaiming prosperity while they don’t work and can’t pay their bills.
I have met those who have put their faith and hope in the misunderstood message of a TV Evangelist, instead of the truth of God’s Holy Word.
Read II Corinthians 9:6
This verse is true in every facet of life. Such as forgiveness – if we forgive we shall be forgiven. Judgment – if we judge, we shall be judged.
This is the means of exchange for us and the things of God.
It is a natural spiritual law of God.
But those that preach the extreme of giving and prosperity have caused this truth to be questioned.
We can question the truth, but it won’t change God’s mind.
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
There have been some extremist on prosperity that have said that if you make a deposit in heaven today, you can write a check on it anytime you want to.
Phil 4:17
Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.
And we know that Jesus told us to store our treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not corrupt.
While it is true that we do have an account in heaven we are depositing into, that doesn’t mean we do the withdrawals. That money doesn’t belong to us. It belongs to God.
Our generosity is accumulating in heaven, but it is God’s.
Having said all of that, let me show you what prosperity actually is (according to the Bible).
Read I Corinthians 16:2
Notice the word “prosper”.
Greek word = euodoo
"to help on one’s way"
"a way or journey"),
"to have a prosperous journey,"
Rom 1:10
Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
(KJV)
God wants to bless us and meet our needs. But the problem is when we get that earthly nature we read about in Colossians 3:5.
Out of greed we distort the intent of God’s prosperity for our lives.
God doesn’t want us to live in greed, but a godly contentment for what He has prepared for our journey.
What He has destined for your life is to make you content with your journey. That is not necessarily what He has destined for someone else.
God doesn’t want us to be a poor mouth with what He has given us.
Nor does He want us to be forceful or competitive with what someone else is suppose to have or not have.
There is to be a godly balance that says that you ought to have what you need for the journey.
As it was for the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:10, his prosperous journey to Rome was not the kind of trip I would have wanted.
Snake bit and ship wrecked and in chains was his prosperous journey.
Read James 4:2(b) and 3 NIV
Your prosperity is determined not by an extremist with a distorted message he/she is preaching, but it is determined by your motive.
As an example suppose we are given 1 million dollars by a wealthy couple from Chicago. We are told to pay off all of our bills, get all of our cars fixed, get all of our teeth straightened, etc.
And then give the rest to foreign missions.
There would be a differing opinion from some on just how many of the needs or wants should be taken care of before the money is sent overseas.
Left out of control there would be nothing left of that money to be sent to the missionaries. The money we waste on greed will be determined not by the Lord…
But by our selfish motives, and how extreme we get with our own prosperity message.
In a way this is how this recent prosperity theology has gotten out of control. Warped and confused with the prosperous journey God has planned for us.
This is how so many people get into trouble, because they hear what they want to hear. Instead of hearing from the Word of God.
Read II Corinthians 9:6-11
Acts10:1-4
