Is God a God of Prosperity? Part 1

As a follow up to the post from a few weeks ago on Christian Television the question has been raised , Is God a God of prosperity? I believe this concept is limiting and is open to attack by the adversary and displays a fleshly desire that has nothing at all to do with the Gospel.

Leave it some misguided Christians in the United States back in the early 1900’s to come up with a prosperity doctrine that puts on display the most base of human desires, the attainment of wealth and makes it an entitlement. If you are a believer and your faith is strong enough you should be materially prosperous. WRONG!!!!!

But Dan, John 10: 10 says “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

The thief here is the devil, the adversary. Abundantly refers to spiritual things that the adversary wants to deprive us of.

I’m sorry if I repeat myself but I feel I must. For those who think that abundantly means having more material wealth, more stuff, more money, I need to point out that this belief flies in the face of the following scriptures:

Matt 6: 19-21, 24

19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

24 No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. (NIV)

1 Tim 6; 3-10

3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (NIV)

Hebrews 13:5 "Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,

“I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you ". (NLT)

The admonition of 2 Peter 2: 3

"In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed." (NLT)

We all know that the bible does not contradict itself but people can create contradiction via misunderstanding. When used in context with the above scriptures it becomes clear that an abundant life spoken of in John 10: 10 refers to a spiritual life.

God is not only a God of prosperity he is the God of the universe, the creator of all things. Having access to Godly wisdom is wealth and prosperity beyond all comprehension. Living and walking in the will of GOD, within the plan he has for our lives is true prosperity.

Part II next week.

Until next time may the LORD Bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.