Revival

I just heard a world famous preacher asking Christians in America to join him and his church in praying for revival in America. This pastor preaches the uncompromising Gospel to the lost and the pure Word of GOD to the Church. But, like many Christians he seems to believe that revival to America will come as a result of the fervent prayer of the Church. It will not as long as the Church remains as it is.
The Church in America and most of the western world is full of sin! Remember liars get the same punishment as murderers, the sexually immoral the same as haters, covetousness (lust, greed) the same as backbiters (gossipers)!
The Church has to seek GOD in repentance of its own sins then He will send revival to the Church. Then the Church can pray in repentance and revival to America.
Until the Church starts obeying the commandments of Jesus and seeking the Father's Kingdom before everything else there cannot be any change in our society!
Ask Holy Spirit to remind you of what Jesus said then ask Him to start working it in your life.
As long as the Church is divided by denominational doctrine, race, sexual immorality of every kind, liars, thieves, Jezbels, wolfs in sheep's clothing and every other kind of sin we will not have the grace or power of GOD to change our society.
It starts with the individual, moves to their family, their church, their work place, their community, the nation.

LORD, help us, show me my sin. Bring repentance to Your people so that we can do the works of Your Kingdom here In the USA as it is in Heaven.

Prosperity

This started as a 1 or 2 page paper and became a small book because GOD just continued to show me verses as I did my daily readings.

Prosperity?

Foreword

The Words of Jesus, “Therefore do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the Kingdom of GOD and His righteousness, and all of these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:31-34 The prayer of Agur, “Two things I request of you (Deprive me not before I die): remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches – feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my GOD.” Proverbs 30:7-9 The Wisdom of Solomon, the world’s wisest and wealthiest man boils down to, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear GOD and keep His Commandments, for this is man’s all. For GOD will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 The words of John, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” 3 John 2-4 The words of Paul, “But I rejoice in the LORD greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surly did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound (to live humbly and to live in prosperity). Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.” Philippians 4:10-14 The words of David, “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendents begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lends; and his descendents are blessed.” Psalm 37:25-26

This is not a treatise against being rich, wealthy, or even well off financially and materially. This is not a call to a vow of poverty or an ascetic lifestyle. I am saying there is a wrong teaching that leaves many believers feeling that GOD does not love them. There are many believers that feel they are failures and therefore are defeated in their life and service to GOD because they cannot achieve the financial and material prosperity; that they are told that if they just have faith and give (sow); that they should have. I am sure that some have left the faith over giving with the unfulfilled promise of GOD making them prosperous. There are many non-believers that are turned off and some even offended by the Church (Christians) always asking for money.

 Giving is about surrender not receiving, GOD calls us to surrender our life, will, skills, and possessions to Him for the purpose of His Kingdom in the earth. He only asks 10 plus percent of our earnings, tithing is the 10 percent, offerings are the plus. Everything else He requires 100 percent of, our time, possessions, skills, desires, thoughts, family, we are not to hold anything back if we are to fulfill His call and purpose for our life. Study Romans 14-15:13; Galatians 2:16-21; Philippians 3:7-11; 2 Timothy 2:11-13; 1 Peter 4:1-6.

A recommendation: Get yourself a red letter edition Bible in a translation you understand and study what Jesus said, study the 4 Gospels and Revelation, these 5 books have Jesus’ words. Understand what our LORD and Savior said, He thinks it is so important that He sent the Holy Spirit to remind us of what He said, John 14:25-26. But do not exclude the rest of the scriptures, read the whole Bible. Do not get in the habit of rote reading, read to learn and understand, use Bible aids such as dictionaries and concor-dances. Be careful of commentaries and books (like this one), they are strongly influenced by the writers and they should be used as a reference for greater themes. Always read scripture in its entire context, the Bible was not written divided into chapters and verses. Each book was written as a continuous manuscript, chapter divisions sometimes breakup thoughts that are connected.

Is Prosperity Biblical?

Prosperity has become a divisive subject in the Church. Some in the Western Church teach that GOD wants every one of His children, those who are born again to be prosperous to the point of ease or wealth. Some teach that wealth is a vise not a virtue and that all true believers should live modestly and moderately.  Both use the scriptures to prove their belief, so what is true and supported by the scriptures? Actually to a point both teachings are correct – to a point. The problem is that some believe (or at least teach) that what GOD has called them to applies to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ as their savior. I believe it is a calling for some like apostle, prophet, pastor, hospitality, mercy, teacher, missionary, etc. Every believer has their own calling, just as each church or fellowship of believers is not the same and does not have the same vision and purpose, but are an integral part of the Body of Christ. Every believer has the call that the Father gave us in the womb and all believers are encouraged to seek all the gifts of the Spirit as we need them. Sometimes the Spirit operates a certain gift in our life for a particular purpose or season.  It is the Spirit of GOD’s (The Holy Spirit) responsibility to give believers gifts for the Kingdom. He also teaches us how to use GOD’s call for us, this is not a gift of the Spirit but what the Father formed us to be in our mother’s womb; study Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 49:1-5; Jeremiah 1:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12 & 14 and Ephesians 3 & 4; 2 Timothy 1:8-12.

The Holy Spirit teaches us the call that Abba Father placed in us when He formed us in our mother’s womb. He guides us, trains us, tests us and He sends us when we are ready in His timing. Since we all receive our call in the womb some discover their calling before they are born again some find it and never become a believer, but they have this in common; they enjoy what they do and are very good at it; some are even prospered  by it. Some believers never discover their calling and some discover it after years of struggle. No matter how well we do what we do if it is not what GOD formed and called us to do we could be like those who did the works of the Kingdom but are rejected for lawlessness, at the very least we will always have doubts and struggles; study Matthew 7:21-27; 15:1-20; 23:1-28; 24:3-14.

There are universal truths that apply to every person ever born and there are universal truths that apply to every person who calls on the name of Jesus Christ as their LORD and savior.

Universal truths for every person ever born:

Every person born is born in sin because of Adam’s original sin and faces an eternal damnation. Every person who is born will die and face judgment or be raptured and face judgment. Every person who understands that they are a sinner and that salvation from this eternal damnation only comes as a gift from GOD; that is because of the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ; that believe in their heart and confess they are a sinner in need of salvation, ask GOD to forgive them in Jesus’ name and profess Jesus as their LORD and savior they will receive this gift of salvation. These are not all of the universal truths that apply to every person ever born; study Romans 10; Hebrews 9; 1 Thessalonians 4 & 5; Revelation 19 & 20.

Universal truths for every person who calls on the name of Jesus Christ as their LORD and savior:

We will face persecution, wolfs in sheep’s clothing will try to deceive us, people will hate us, Jesus has gone to His Heavenly Eternal Kingdom to prepare a place for us, Jesus ever lives to make intersession for us before our Heavenly Father, Jesus sent His Spirit to live in us (we are now His Living Temple, 1 Corinthian 6) to teach us, to guide us, to comfort us, to gift us, etc. These are not all of the universal truths that apply to everyone who becomes a believer in Jesus Christ as LORD and savior. Study John 14:1-6; Romans 10:1-14; 1 Corinthians 12; Hebrews 7:20-28.

Truth

Nobody wants to live in poverty! Many of the world’s wealthiest people are more miserable than the poorest people in the world! The call of GOD is not to make us financially or materially wealthy, it is to fulfill His purpose for us in both the natural and spiritual kingdoms (they are The Kingdom of GOD). Everyone who finds their calling is satisfied and happy with their life, no matter their financial state. Their well being and satisfaction is fulfilled by their calling not their possessions or bank account. Study Psalm 112; Proverbs 3:9-10, 11:23-28, 13:7-8, 19:16-17; Matthew 25:31-46; James 2:1-13.

There are some believers who are wounded because they are told if they sow a financial seed of faith or a special offering to a particular ministry or person that GOD will give them double or more money back. This is not always true! Why? Because, GOD does not just give us money because we give money to those who ask us for it, no matter who or why, this is not tithing but gifts, offerings, and seeds of faith. Our tithes go where we are fed, where we worship, where we are joined. Our offerings go there and anywhere the LORD leads us to give. We are blessed for our cheerful obedience and there is promise of plenty. Jesus clearly said all believers are to build up treasure in Heaven, not on earth, that no one can serve GOD and mammon (or riches). Study Malachi 3; Matthew 6 and 1 Corinthians 8-9.

Jesus said our charitable giving should be in private between us and the Father who will bless us. Our charitable giving does not have to be money and GOD’s reward may not be money or material items. It is wrong thinking to always expect GOD to reward us financially or materially, because He tells us to store up treasures in Heaven not on the earth. He tells us that as we seek His Kingdom and His righteousness He will supply all that we need, not all that we want or would like to have. Study Matthew 6.

The problem as I see it is that many of those who teach prosperity as being for every believer don’t see it as a calling but as a benefit or right of every believer. Jesus said that He came to give us abundant life (John 10:7-11), He also said that if we would seek GOD’s Kingdom and His Righteousness first that all of our needs would be met (Matthew 6:25-34). In John 10 Jesus is talking about abundant as compared to being robbed, having our possessions destroyed or being murdered. Not extravagant comfort, posse-ssions or safety. In Matthew 6 He is talking about our basic needs of food, drink and clothing, in verses 25 and 31 He tells us not to worry about them; ending with the statement not to worry about tomorrow for today will have enough trouble, (verse 34). Jesus teaches us that we will be persecuted, rejected, tormented, imprisoned even killed for our faith and obedience. In Matthew 6:19-21 He tells us to store up treasures in Heaven, not earthly treasures, for where our treasures are that is where our heart (desire and will) will be. In verse 24 He tells us that we cannot serve Him and the riches of the world (mammon).  In Matthew 13:44-46 Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a treasure hidden in a field or a great pearl that the finders sell all that they have to possess. This is the giving up of earthly treasure to gain heavenly treasure. Study Proverbs 2-5 to see what GOD says about seeking His wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, they’re more valuable than silver and gold. They provide both natural and eternal reward.

The only benefit that every believer has is eternal salvation! The only right that every believer has is to yield our life to Christ’s LORDSHIP and serve the Father’s Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.

We must stop praying and sowing seed so that GOD will bless us and prosper us so that we can live a comfortable and generous life; which may be a life of lawlessness. We must start praying and fasting for our Heavenly Father to reveal His call and purpose for us so that we can live the life of obedience and service that He has written out for us. Study Matthew 7:21-23, 23:28; Ephesians 2:1-10, 5:1-7; Hebrews 1:8-9; Psalm 139:13-18 & 23-24. When we seek His Kingdom and Righteousness first He will supply all that we need, Matthew 6:25-34.

If you want wealth and comfort than you better understand Luke 12.

If you want to know what Paul thought was true wealth study 2 Corinthians 12:11-21. Study the epistles of Peter, James, John and Jude, look for what they consider important, you will see that it is souls saved and lives set free, not material or monetary gain.

In Luke 7:36-50 Jesus accepts a Pharisee’s invitation to eat, the Pharisee would have been well off, maybe even wealthy. He was self-righteous and judgmental he was a sinner but did not know it. A woman came who was a known sinner who probably lived a comfortable life based on the alabaster flask of fragrant oil and she knew she was a sinner. This event reinforces Jesus statement that it is hard for the rich to get into the Kingdom of GOD because of their confidence in their riches and their self evaluation that their generosity is getting them rewards. But, Jesus also taught that doing the works of the Kingdom is not enough, they have to be the works that GOD has called us to; and just doing what is required is our minimum service and not worthy of reward. Study Proverbs 11:4, 28; 14:24; 28:6, 11; Luke 12:13-21;

What Are the Treasures We Store in Heaven?

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in GOD, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3. “For we know that if our earthly house (physical body), this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from GOD, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation (dwelling) which is from heaven.” Study John 14 and 2 Corinthians 5:1-8.

“For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the LORD; and if we die, we die to the LORD. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the LORD’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be LORD of both the dead and the living…Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the Kingdom of GOD is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to GOD and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of GOD for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense.” In Romans 14 Paul is teaching about not offending by what or how we eat and drink because our life is Christ’s. In verse 17 he makes a oft quoted statement about the Kingdom of GOD that confirms what Jesus taught in Matthew 6; that if we seek GOD’s Righteousness and Kingdom before all else He will provide all that we need for daily living. Paul goes on to state that we have to be careful not to let our pursuit of food and drink (or how we live our life) to destroy the work of GOD in another’s life. Lawlessness leads to being left out of GOD’s Kingdom. Study Matthew 6 & 7:21-23 and Romans 14:1-15:13.

Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper,” a part of a verse that is often quoted by Christians about spiritual warfare; the whole verse is, “’No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me.’ Says the LORD.” Study Isaiah 55 & 55 (remember in the original manuscript there was no chapter divisions) this is not just for Israel but for all who believe and call on GOD. This is about GOD’s everlasting covenant to give those who seek Him both spiritual and natural provision.

1 Peter 1:3-4, 7, 17-19, 23; “Blessed be the GOD and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in Heaven for you,…that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,…And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; Knowing that your were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious Blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot….having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the Word of GOD which lives and abides forever.” Study 1 Peter 1.

Ephesians 1:3 & 13-14; 2:4-7; “Blessed be the GOD and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every Spiritual blessing in the Heavenly places in Christ,…In Him you also trusted, after you heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His Glory.” “But GOD, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Study Ephesians 1 & 2.

Hebrews 10:34-36, “…for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in Heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of GOD, you may receive the promise:” Study Hebrews 10:26-39.

2 Corinthians 4:17, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Study 4:16-5:11

Philippians 3:12 & 20-21, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the LORD Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” Study Philippians 3:1-4:1.

2 Peter 1:2-4 & 10-11, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of GOD and Jesus our LORD, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.” Study 2 Peter 1.

What Are The Treasures Here on Earth?

John 14:12, 14, 17, 23, 27 “’Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father….If you ask anything in My Name, I will do it….And I will pray the father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you’….Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word; and My Father  will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him….Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’” Study John 14:12-31

1 Corinthians 9:18; 10:13, “What is my reward then? That I when preach the Gospel, I may present the Gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the Gospel.” “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but GOD is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” Study chapters 9 & 10.

Study 1 Corinthians 12.

2 Corinthians 4:7-10; 5:17-18, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of GOD and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed – always carrying about in the body the dying of the LORD Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of GOD, who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” Study chapters 4 & 5.

In Jesus’ teachings in John 15 & 16 three times He tells us to ask for whatever we want, “If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear much fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 15:7, 16, 16:23-24. So is Jesus saying that whatever we want Father GOD will give us if we ask in Jesus’ name? NO! Study the context of these chapters, Jesus is teaching about bearing fruit of the Kingdom by abiding in Him. About being one with Him as He is one with the Father so that we also will be one with the Father. In 15:8 He says, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” We are His disciples by seeking and bearing the fruit of His Kingdom, not by getting a better job or a new car. In 15:17 He says, “These things I command you, that you love one another.” If we love one another we should be praying for each other’s needs not our blessings.  In 16:25-27 He says, “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from GOD.”  In John 17 He prays that it is time for the Father to Glorify Him and restore His Glory that He had with the Father before His birth, and that They would be Glorified together. Then He prays sanctification for the disciples and the Church to follow and for protection from the works of satan. Nothing Jesus says in these chapters has to do with wealth or comfort, they have to do with the works and fruit of His Kingdom. Jesus told them they would be hated and persecuted because they love and serve Him, but that His Holy Spirit would be given to them to reveal His truth, to guide them and declare to them what is Christ’s.

James has much to say about this in chapters 3 & 4, following are some excerpts, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking (selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Where do wars (battles) and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war (battle). Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Study these two chapters. Remember what Jesus said about our heart, it is where we lust and murder or love and serve one another and obey Him.

Back to the treasures here on earth, study Paul’s letter to the Colossians, here are some excerpts of what he says about riches and treasures. “We give thanks to the GOD and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, praying always for you, because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, For this reason we also, since the day we heard it ,do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the LORD, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of GOD; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed (transferred) us into the Kingdom of the Son of His Love, in whom we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins. The mystery (secret or hidden truth) which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them GOD willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which (who) is Christ in you, the hope of Glory. That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of GOD, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Beware lest anyone cheat you (lit. plunder you or take you captive) through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the GODhead bodily (in bodily form); and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all Principality and power (rule and authority). Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from GOD. If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of GOD. Therefore, as the elect of GOD, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”

Why did Jesus say it was hard for the rich to get into the Kingdom of GOD?

Why? Because of pride and greed! Matthew 19:20-23 (Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30), “The young man said to Him, ‘All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Assuredly (truthfully), I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven^@.’” Jesus tells the parable of a rich man in Luke 12:13-21 ending with verses 20-21, “But GOD said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards GOD.” Then he goes on in verses 21-34 to teach about GOD’s provision stating in verse 34, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” In the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31, the point of the story is that the rich man got his reward on earth but his eternity was in hell and Lazarus got his reward in the Bosom of Abraham where he awaited the proclamation of salvation through Jesus Christ for his eternity in the Kingdom of Heaven. James says that the rich fade away like the grass under a hot sun, James 1:9-11. Paul tells Timothy, “Now GODliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living GOD, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19

If it is so hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of GOD why would GOD want all believers to be wealthy? He does not! He has called some to handle the finances and material possessions here on earth for His glory and the purpose of His Kingdom here on earth. The problem is the weakness of men to the temptation of riches, most of us cannot resist the love of money (That is why it is a calling not a benefit).  In the parables of the talents and minas in Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:11-27, Jesus teaches the principle that not all are capable of the task or call to handle others finances, but that those that are will be blessed and increased. In Matthew 18:21-35, the parable of the unforgiving servant the secondary point of the parable is the inability of some to handle their own finances and possessions and the disastrous results that can happen. In Luke 16:1-13 the parable of the unjust steward which ends with Jesus saying, “Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in another man’s, who will give you your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate to one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve GOD and mammon.” In Matthew 21:33-44 (Mark 12:1-17) the parable of the wicked vinedressers Jesus lets us see how greed leads to evil and evil leads to judgment. Study Matthew 6:19-21, 19:16-30; Luke 12:16-34; James 5:1-6; Proverbs 3:9-10, 11:24-26, 13:7, 18:11, 19:17; Psalm 39:4-6; Philippians 4:4-20; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6*.

Matthew 19:16-30 (Mark 10:17-31), the 12 disciples left all of their possessions to follow Jesus and what did they get; eternal salvation and thrones from which to judge the 12 tribes of Israel, but in the rest of their natural lives they got persecution, imprisonment, and death. Not wealth or material gain of any kind. But, Jesus goes on to say that anybody else who gives up everything in this life to serve Him for His name’s sake will receive 100 fold of what he gives up and eternal life. This is not sowing a seed of faith or even a sacrificial offering this is giving all you are and all you have for GOD’s Kingdom on earth, so that you may gain true wealth in GOD’s eternal Heavenly Kingdom.

Matthew 20:1-16, the vineyard workers pay parable is about GOD rewarding His servants based on His determination not on our judgment of right or fair. Our reward is not based on what our calling is or how long we work at it, but on how we serve and obey as children and friends. The Father has made us His children through Christ Jesus and Jesus has called us His friend; but He also set the example of serving, of being a servant son doing only what He saw the Father do and saying only what the Father gave Him to say. This is how we build up treasure in Heaven, by how we live in obedience and faith-fullness to His calling for us. Works without faith earns no eternal reward and faith without works is dead. Study John 1:6-13, 5:16-30, 15:1-17

Sowing and Reaping

In the prosperity teachings of many sowing and reaping is a primary theme, so what does Jesus say about sowing and reaping?

Matthew 6:25-26; Luke 12:24 (birds [ravens] do not sow or reap but GOD provides)

Matthew 13:1-9 & 18-23; Mark 4:1-9 & 13-20; Luke 4:4-8 & 11-15 (Parable of the sower, seed equals Word of GOD)

Matthew 13:24-30 & 36-43(Parable of Wheat & Tares, Jesus is the sower of the good seed [wheat]which is the sons of the Kingdom, satan is the sower of the bad seed [tares]  which is the sons of the wicked one, the field is the world)

Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:19-23 (Parable of rich young ruler, sell all you have [riches] for Heavenly treasure)

Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of talents, lord who reaps where he did not sow)

Mark 4:26-29 (Parable of sown seed, grows unseen, produces full head)

Mark 4:30-32 (Parable of mustard seed, smallest seed to largest herb)

Luke 19:11-27 (Parable of minas, king who reaps what he does not sow)

John 4:27-38 (Fields are white to Harvest, eternal sowing & reaping)

John 12:20-26 (Jesus says a grain of wheat [seed] falls into the ground [sown] and produces much grain, He was talking about losing or gaining eternal life by serving Him)

Jesus never uses sowing and reaping in reference to finances for believers, only for the unsaved (unjust steward, lord, king)

Some other examples of sowing and reaping found in the scriptures?

Genesis 3:17-19, “…Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life.” The first sowing and reaping in history is hard work just to survive. They were expelled from the blessing to the curse for their sin of rebellion (lawlessness).

Job 4:8 Eliphaz said, “Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.”

Psalm 126:5-6 the Psalmist said, “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

Proverbs 22:8 Solomon said, “He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow (trouble) and the rod of his anger will fail.”

 Isaiah 32:20-33:1 The LORD says, “Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey. Woe to you who plunder, though you have not been plundered; and you who deal treacherously, though they have not dealt treacherously with you! When you cease plundering, you will be plundered; when you make an end of dealing treacherously, they will deal treacherously with you.” Study Isaiah 55.

Hosea 10:12-13 The LORD said, “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you. You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, because you trusted in your own way, in the multitude of your mighty men.”

Galatians 6:6-10 Paul said, “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, GOD is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

James says in 3:17-18, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Now the principle of sowing and reaping can easily be applied to finances naturally and spiritually but it is not a theme in the scriptures. Sowing and reaping is about natural life and Kingdom life, what you sow is what you get, either natural or Kingdom. Proverbs 11:4 & 24-26, “Riches do not prosper in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more that is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself. The people will curse him who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it,”

Prosperity Scriptures

All the scriptures used by those that teach prosperity for all can be applied to prosperity, the issue I have is that they are used out of the context in which they were spoken or written. There are very few scriptures that actually speak of believers prospering such as Malachi 3:8-12. The Hebrew word blessing used in verse 10 is berakah, see its definition in that section of this book. When you study these 5 verses in the context of the whole chapter and in the context of this whole book of prophesy; you see that while it can be applied to the individual it is actually written to the nation of Israel. Now we know that most of what was written to Israel can be applied to the Church and the individual believer. But that does not mean that it does! In fact in 1 Corinthians 10 and Hebrews 11 we are shown examples of what good and bad things happened with the admonition to avoid the bad. GOD has a plan for each and every one of us when He forms us in our mother’s womb and places His call for us in the core of our being. Not many of us will be called to be the financiers of His Kingdom, some of us will be called to give up all for His Kingdom.

3 John 2 is one of the most quoted verses on prosperity, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” The 2 words prosper in this verse are the Greek word euodoo (to have a good journey, go on well.) Yes, John wants his friend and fellow servant of Christ to prosper in all things and be healthy just as his soul prospers. Don’t we all want that for our family, fellow servants and our self? The question is what does GOD the Father want for us! This appears to be written before John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos since he stated he hoped to see Gaius. The introduction to 1 John in my Bible¹ states, “GOD is Light; GOD is Love; and GOD is Life. John is enjoying a delightful fellowship with the GOD of light, love, and life, and he desperately desires that his spiritual children enjoy the same fellowship.”^@ But sometime after that John is boiled in oil, he survives and is exiled to the Isle of Patmos where Jesus Christ came to him and gave him His Revelation. Is he still enjoying a delightful fellowship with the GOD of light, love, and life? Yes! John’s delightful enjoyment; his prosperity; of GOD was not based on his material possessions and comfort but on his personal relationship with GOD.

This is the prosperity that GOD calls us all to no matter our physical or emotional situation. Our personal relationship with the GOD of Light, Love, and Life is the prosperity of our spirit, soul, and body, study 3 John :1-4 & Joshua 1:5-9.

Matthew  7:7-12, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the law and the prophets.” Sometimes people only quote verses 7 & 8 and sometimes they quote the whole section. The main thing to understand is that Jesus was not talking about finances or material possessions at all. In the first 5 verses Jesus is talking about judging yourself so that you can help your brother without judging him. In verse 6 Jesus says to not give what is holy to dogs or to cast your pearls before swine because they may trample on them and then turn on you. Here Jesus is not speaking of pearls as a valuable possession but by linking it to something holy He is speaking of its eternal Kingdom value, like in Matthew 13:45-46. As Jesus continues His teaching He talks about the narrow verses the broad way, then He warns about false prophets, then about separating His true servants from lawless servants, then He says that those that hear and keep His sayings are wise builders and those that do not are foolish builders. Nowhere in Matthew chapter 7 does Jesus talk about wealth or material possessions or even comfort in life.

Matthew 10:8b, “Freely you have received, freely give.” The whole verse says, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” Verses 9 and 10 say, “Provide neither gold nor silver nor cooper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food,” This is when Jesus is commissioning the 12 disciples to go two by two and minister the Kingdom of GOD to the children of Israel. What they freely received was His authority over sickness, disease and demons; and He told them to freely share that with the people of Israel (Matthew 10:5-15).

Matthew 13:12a, “For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance;” Jesus has told the people the parable of the sower and the disciples asked Him why He spoke in parables to the people. Jesus explained it to them in verses 11-13, “He answered and said to them, ‘Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” Jesus was not talking about finances or rewards or riches, He was talking about the hidden truths of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:1-17). Paul reveals a couple of the mysteries as “Christ in you the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:24-29) The Body of Christ (the Church) being made up of Jew and Gentile believers and other mysteries. Study Matthew 13; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, 15:50-58; Ephesians 1:3-14; 1 Timothy 3:14-16; 2 Timothy 1:8-12.

Mark 4:10-20 covers Jesus explaining why He teaches the people in parables and the meaning of the sower to the disciples, then He teaches about being a light and that every hidden thing will be revealed. Then He says, “’If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.’ Then He said to them, ‘Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.’” verses 23-25. These are the same words He used in Matthew 7:1-2 and Luke 6:37-38 when He was teaching about judging self rather than others. Study Matthew 25:14-30; Mark 4:10-25; Luke 8:16-18, 19:11-27.

Ephesians 3:20, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” This is not about what we can ask or think unto our self, such as riches and possessions. Reading the whole section of verses 14-21 we see that Paul is talking about Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith; so that we being rooted and grounded in love are able to comprehend the width and length and depth and height of the love of Christ which passes all knowledge; so that we are filled with the fullness of GOD! Then we will be able to give Him glory who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think according to the power that works in us in the Church by Jesus Christ to all generations forever, Amen!

2 Corinthians 8:9, “For you know the grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” This whole chapter is about giving to the poor saints in Judea. Paul tells them of the Macedonian church’s generosity and reminds them that they had promised to make a contribution as well. He is putting the pressure on them to be prepared and generous. How are we to become rich through Christ’s poverty? Not financially or materially! Paul gives a fuller explanation of this concept to the Philippian church in Philippians 2:1-11. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of GOD, did not consider it robbery to be equal with GOD, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (verses 3-8)

More Scriptures

Remember to read these verses in their entire context.

GOD makes rich: 1 Samuel. 2:6-8; Psalm 19:7-11; 37:16; 104:24; 112:3; 119:14; Proverbs 3:16; 8:18; 10:22; 22:1, 4; Isaiah 45:3; 61:6; 1 Cor. 4:8; 2 Corinthians 6:1-10; 8:9; Ephesians 1:7, 18; 3:8, 16; Philippians 4:19; Colossians 1:27, 2:2; 1 Timothy 6:17; Hebrews 11:7, 23-26; Revelation 2:9                  GOD does not make all believers rich in wealth and material things. He wants all of us to be rich in His presence, blessings, gifts, kindness, mercy, gentleness, compassion, grace, love, truth, favor; His wisdom, knowledge, understanding, discernment; the gifts and fruit of His Spirit.

Rich men: 1 Chronicles 29:12, 28; 2 Chronicles 17:5; 18:1; 32:27; Esther 1:4; 5:11; Job 27:19; Psalm 49:6; 52:7; Proverbs 10:4, 15; 11:16; 13:7-8; 18:11; 19:14; 24:4; 28:6-11, 22; Jeremiah 9:23; 17:11; 48:36; Micah 6:12; Revelation 3:17-18                                                                                                                              Being rich can be good or bad it is up to us how we get rich, why we are rich and what we do with the riches.

Don’t strive to be rich: Job 34:19; 36:19; Psalm 62:10; 73:12; Proverbs 11:4, 28; 13:7; 14:24; 23:4; 27:4; 28:20; Ecclesiastes 4:8; 5:13-14, 19; 6:2; 9:11; Ezekiel 28:4-5; 1 Timothy 6:17; James 5:2                              If it is not GOD’s purpose for us to be rich it is not His will for us to be rich. Therefore striving to be rich is sin and will lead to bad things.

Pay for Service

The disciples were sent out with nothing, had they been with Him a few months or a year we do not know for sure but He commissioned them with authority and a charge to not to seek financial gain, study Matthew 9:35-10:42; Mark 3:13-19, 6:6-13, 30-31; Luke 9:1-6, 10; Luke 10:1-24

The scriptures are clear that those that do the work of GOD’s Kingdom should be supported by those that are served. A worker is worthy of his hire! Every society sets it own standards of recompense for service. The Church is the same. The economy and culture where believers live and minister has a direct influence on how servants of the Kingdom are recompensed, but the scriptures are clear that they should be compensated for their time and work while they live by faith. Study Deuteronomy 25:4; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18, 15:35-58; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Galatians 6:6-10; Philippians 4:10-20.

But should it be an 8 to 5 Sunday thru Friday job? Should it be for 20 or 30 years with a retirement package? In our western cultures fixed work hours and days, vacations and retirement are things that everyone expects and is encouraged to get. But in the Kingdom of GOD our rest is in Christ, our retire-ment and benefit package should be from GOD and not society. The first Church leaders did not retire they worked at GOD’s call for their life until their death, whether naturally or not. In the Old Testament it was the same, we have only two examples of GOD’s servants that did not work until they died, Enoch and Elijah. Study Genesis 5:18-24; 2 Kings 2:9-18; Matthew 6:33; Luke 22:35-38

Most missionaries and church planters start out living by faith, trusting GOD for everything, though some have to work a regular job in the early days to support their family and ministry. The examples we see in Acts are the Apostles being supported by those where they had ministered or they worked to support themselves and those with them. None of the traveling Apostles, Prophets or Evangelists received a regular pay check from the parent church. In Paul’s writings we see that some had started expecting or even demanding support from certain churches, but Paul is clear that this was not his practice and should not be the practice of GOD’s servants. In his second letter to the Church at Corinth Paul makes this statement, “For we are not peddlers of GOD’s Word like so many; but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from GOD and standing in His presence.” (2 Corinthians 2:17 NRSV¹) This is an issue that each minister, ministry, congregation and individual believer has to work out with GOD so that they are living in faith, for we know that without faith it is impossible to please GOD. “By faith Noah…became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” “By faith Abraham obeyed…dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is GOD.” “All these died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth.” Whether they were prosperous or not their hope was in GOD’s promise not material wealth. Study Matthew 10:10; Hebrews 11; Romans 14:23.

In Acts 4:32-5:11 & 6:1-7 we see the first believers becoming a Church. They are in agreement and each shares what he has so that all have something. Some even sell all they have and give it for the needs of all. Years later Paul writes to the Church in Rome that he is going to come there but first he must go to Jerusalem to deliver to the Church funds raised by the believers in Macedonia and Achaia for the poor believers in Judea (Romans 15:22-28). Study 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-11. There is no place where a request for finances is mentioned except for the Hellenist saying their widows were being neglected, Acts 6:1-7. That does not mean that no one ever asked for financial assistance for some need, there is just no record of it in the scriptures, it would be quite normal for those in need to make requests for assistance. In Acts 11:27-30 a prophet, Agabus, told of a coming famine and the disciples according to their own ability decided to send relief to the saints in Judea. GOD revealed and they obeyed without being asked.

Paul makes it clear in his letters to the Corinthian, Philippi and Thessalonica churches that while he did not need their support, it was greatly appreciated both for the purpose of the ministry and also because of the eternal reward they were building up for themselves. Study Acts 18:1-3 & 20:32-35; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18; 2 Corinthians 12:11-13; Philippians 4:10-20 and 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12.

In Romans 15:22-28 Paul tells the Romans that he wants to stop and visit with them on his way to Spain and to receive help from them for his journey. In 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 and 2 Corinthians 12:11-13 he reminds them that the Minister of the Gospel is worthy of respect and support but that he never demanded it, rather he did not want to burden them but for them to receive the Gospel unhindered. But he does say that some ministers have expected or even demanded the churches to support their needs.

That brings us to the question; is it Biblical to ask for financial support from people who are not a part of a ministry? To me the answer is straight out no. Over my 42 years of being a Christian I have heard of far too many testimonies of believers living and serving GOD by faith. Where new ministers or ministries just call out to GOD for their needs and He meets them; unsolicited checks came in the mail, people just walking up and giving what was needed at that moment, people told to go to the airport with no money for the trip GOD is telling them to take and someone buying their ticket, etc. Jesus tells us to make our requests made know to the LORD in the privacy of our closet and GOD will answer us publicly (Matthew 6:5-6). I believe that when GOD calls a person to a ministry He will provide all that the ministry needs when and where He sends it. That does not mean that their faith and obedience will not be tested. Our Father expects us to stay focused on Him so that we stay on His time table and do not venture into areas that He has not called us to. Study Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:40-46, John 5:19 & 30, 6:38, 12:27-28; Acts 10, 13:1-4, 16:6-10; Romans 1:8-15; 2 Timothy 4:9-22; James 1:12-18, 4:13-17, 5:7-12.

I have also seen far too many ministries pleading for support so they can keep doing what they say GOD has called them to do, preaching the Word, to meet some life saving need somewhere in the world, to complete some building project, etc. These are good causes and worthy of their home Church’s support, some are personal or even greedy. Pray first, seek GOD, does He want you to give and how much. Do not give in the emotional moment of the event unless you clearly know that you hear GOD telling you to give and what to give. This is the same advice that any good financial advisor will tell you about investing in anything. Remember Jesus gave us examples of how the world does it so we could avoid their traps, but we should also be aware that some who claim to be Christians doing the will of GOD are not! Sometimes ministries have gotten caught up in what GOD called them to do and go beyond the purpose and grace He has given for that. When a ministry finds itself in financial difficulties they need to pray, fast and seek GOD; is this an attack so that they need to buckle down and persevere; is this a loss of grace for some sin or over reaching? Seeking GOD rather than expecting believers to come to their rescue should be the norm.

Jude :4, 11, 24-25, “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our GOD into lewdness and deny the only LORD GOD and our LORD Jesus Christ….Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah….Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to GOD our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” This is a hard scripture, study the whole letter for we must be aware of our ability to be deceived and enter into error and therefore teach others error. But GOD is faithful and if we are honestly seeking Him He will deliver us.

What About Christians That Live in Poor Countries?

What about believers that live in third world nations, those who live in poverty stricken parts of the world? Is their faith just not enough? Many believers live in countries where they are persecuted, imprisoned and murdered for their faith while living in dirt poor conditions. Their businesses, jobs and possessions are routinely taken by the religious majority or the government where they live. Is this because they do not have enough faith? They stand up for the name of their LORD and savior, are persecuted even to death and yet they do not have enough faith to become prosperous enough to move to an area where they will not be persecuted? Like America?

It is a sacrilege to teach this prosperity doctrine in the western Church but not in the poorest nations where they are actually persecuted for their faith in Christ. It would be a greater sacrilege to teach this doctrine in the poorest nations where Christians are seldom allowed to prosper by their anti-Christian neighbors and government.

Believers in these nations are not trying to prosper they are trying to survive. Their faith is strong in the provision of GOD not just for their daily substance but for their very survival, knowing that what they get may be taken away and that they may be killed for their faith.

There are many Christian and non-christian organizations that seek to feed, house, provide medical care, train, dig water wells, etc. They all ask for the tender hearted and merciful to sow into their organizations, they seek corporate sponsors and big money givers to support their programs. This is more like what the Word says in 1 John 3:16-17, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of GOD abide in him? My little children let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

We have because we get, we get to give! I hear a few ministers teaching that we get to give rather than we give to get. Our priority must be correct before GOD. James tells us, “Pure and undefiled religion before GOD and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” James 1:27 & 4:17. “Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard.” Proverbs 21:13. Study James 2:8-13; Matthew 7:1-2; Psalm 41 and Proverbs 11 & 21.

Solomon’s Wealth, Works and Enslavement of His People

Solomon is known as the wisest and richest man in the Bible and many say in history. But all that wisdom and wealth caused him and Israel many problems. It led to idolatry and to the division of the nation and several wars between the two. This led to the two nations being carried off into captivity. This led to overly zealous religious enforcement of the Law and tradition which led to the people being hard hearted and unable for the most part to receive their long awaited Messiah. Study 1 Kings 1-14, especially chapters 11 & 12; 2 Chronicles 1-12 and Ecclesiastes (Compare what Solomon says about himself in Ecclesiastes to 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles)

What About New or Immature Christians

In Acts 8:9-25 Luke tells of a Samaritan named Simon who had been a sorcerer and had been saved through Philip’s ministry. When Peter and John went to minister to the new believers in Samaria the Holy Spirit was poured out on them and Simon not knowing any better offered money to Peter and John to give him the power to minister the Holy Spirit, Peter rebuked him and Simon repented. Here is a new believer who has money and only knows the ways of the world it is easy for him to misunderstand the ways of GOD’s Kingdom and to think he can buy the gifts of GOD. He needed to be discipled and grow in spiritual maturity. That kind of stuff still happens in the Church today, too many new believers are not properly discipled in the Word of GOD and the ways of GOD’s Kingdom and make mistakes and never grow in stewardship and never reach the fullness of GOD’s call for their life. This leads to Christians who never truly understand faith in GOD and struggle with entering into GOD’s plan and purpose for them. When they hear teachings on faith and prosperity and they fail to achieve their goal of financial freedom and the ability to be abundant givers they become discouraged and can lose faith and hope. Or if they are already financially well off like Simon and no one disciples them in the Word and Kingdom principals they may make bad investments and lose money and faith. When a person’s goal is focused on their finances rather than GOD’s Kingdom they will most often do poorly and begin to have faith and trust in GOD issues.

What Jesus (and others) said about:

Commissioned (12 , 70 & 11 Sent Out) –  Matthew 10:1-26; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6, 10:1-20, 22:35-38,

Poor (Poverty) – Matthew 26:6-13; John 12:1-8; Revelation 2:9 (Deuteronomy 15:11; Proverbs 19:17)

Pride – Matthew 6:1-6; Luke 12:13-21, 16:14-15, 18:9-14 (Proverbs 26:1-12)

Profit – Matthew 5:27-30, 16:24-27; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-26(Proverbs 11:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 12:9-11; James 2:14-17, 4:13-17)

Provision – Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-34; (Acts 18:1-4, 20:33-35; Romans 4; Philippians 4:10-20)

Tithes – Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42 (Malachi 3:8-12)

Wealth (Riches) – Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30; Revelation 3:14-18; (Luke 1:46-56; Proverbs 11:3-6; Jeremiah 15:11-14; Ezekiel 7:19; Hosea 12:7-10; Zephaniah 1:18; Romans 2:1-17, 9:20-24; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; James 5:1-6)

Widow’s mites (Offerings) – Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4 (Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8)

Conclusion

I’m highlighting verses from Philippians for my conclusion, 1 “Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,  4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. 17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. 25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life,

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose  glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

The Bible does not teach prosperity as riches and possessions but as righteousness, peace and joy. The New Testament is not about gaining financial and material gain but about giving up all for Christ, who gave up all for us. The teachings of Jesus and the Apostles are about gaining eternal rewards in Heaven not accumulating things of the world.

Some definitions:

²Faith = (fath), n. religious belief; a doctrine believed; trust and confidence in another; fidelity, loyalty; honesty, as in good faith. ³OT ‘emunah, The basic meaning of ‘emunah is “certainty” and “faithfulness,” 1 Samuel 26:23. But generally, the Person to whom one is “faithful” is the LORD Himself, 2 Chronicles 19:9. The LORD has manifested His “faithfulness” to His people, Deuteronomy 32:4. All His works reveal His “faithfulness,” Psalm 33:4. His commandments are an expression of His “faithfulness,” Psalm 119:86; those who seek them are found on the road of “faithfulness,” Psalm 119:30. The LORD looks for those who seek to do His will with all their hearts. Their ways are established and His blessing rests on them, Proverbs 28:20. Man’s acts, Proverbs 12:22, and speech, 12:1, must reflect his favored status with GOD. As in the marriage relationship, “faithfulness” is not optional. For the relation to be established, the two parties are required to respond to each other in “faithfulness,” Jeremiah 5:1; cf. Isaiah59:4; Jeremiah 7:28; 9:3. Hosea portrays GOD’s relation to Israel as a marriage and states GOD’s promise of “faithfulness” to Israel (where several Hebrew words describe faithfulness), Hosea 2:19-20. NT pistis, primarily, “firm persuasion,” a conviction based upon hearing (akin to peitho, “to Persuade”), is used in the NT always of “faith in GOD or Christ, or things spiritual.” The word is used of (a) trust, e.g., Romans 3:25; 1 Corinthians 2:5; 15:14, 17; 2 Corinthians 1:24; Galatians 3:23; Philippians 1:25; 2:17; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 3:2; (b) trust-worthiness, e.g., Matthew 23:23; Romans 3:3, RV, “the faithfulness of GOD”; Galatians 5:22 (RV, “faithfulness”); Titus 2:10, “fidelity”; (c) by metonymy, what is believed, the contents of belief, the “faith,” Acts 6:7; 14:22; Galatians 1:23; 3:25[contrast 3:32, under (a)]; 6:10; Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; Jude 3, 20 (and perhaps 2 Thessalonians 3:2); (d) a ground for “faith,” an assurance, Acts 17:31 (not as in KJV, marg., “offered faith”); (e) a pledge of fidelity, plighted “faith,” 1 Timothy 5:12. The main elements in “faith” in its relation to the invisible GOD, as distinct from “faith” in man, are especially brought out in the use of this noun and the corresponding verb, pisteuo; they are (1) a firm conviction, producing a full acknowledgement of GOD’s revelation or truth, e.g., 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12; (2) a personal surrender to Him, John 1:12; (3) a conduct inspired by such surrender; 2 Corinthians 5:7. Prominence is given to one or other of these elements according to the context. All this stands in contrast to belief in its purely natural exercise, which consists of an opinion held in good “faith” without necessary reference to its proof. The object of Abraham’s “faith” was not GOD’s promise (that was the occasion of its exercise); his “faith” rested on GOD Himself, Romans 4:17, 20-21. ³Faith, has both an active and a passive sense; in the former, meaning “fidelity,” “trustworthiness”; in the latter, “trust,” “reliance.” An example of the first is found in Romans 3:3, where “the faith of GOD” means His fidelity to promise. In the overwhelming majority of cases it has the meaning of reliance and trust. In the OT (KJV) the word “faith” occurs only twice (Deuteronomy 32:20; Habakkuk 2:4), and even the verb form, “to believe,” is far from common, appearing less than 30 times. What we find in the OT is not so much a doctrine of faith, as examples of it. In contrast with the extreme rarity with which the terms “faith” and “believe” are used in the OT, they occur with great frequency in the NT – almost 500 times. A principal reason for this is that the NT makes the claim that the promised Messiah had finally come, and to the bewilderment of many the form of the fulfillment did not obviously correspond to the Messianic promise. It required a real act of faith to believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah. It was not long before “to believe” meant to become a Christian. In the NT, faith therefore becomes supreme of all human acts and experiences. It is in Paul’s epistles that the meaning of faith is most clearly and fully set forth. Faith is trust in the person of Jesus, the truth of His teaching and the redemptive work He accomplished at Calvary. Faith is not to be confused with mere intellectual assent to the doctrinal teachings of Christianity, though that is obviously necessary. It includes a radical and total commitment to Him as the LORD of one’s life. Unbelief, or lack of faith in the Christian Gospel, appears everywhere in the NT as the supreme evil. Not to make a decisive response to GOD’s offer in Christ means that the individual remains in his sin and is eternally lost. Faith alone can save him.

²Faithful = (fath’ fool), adj. trusting; loyal; trustworthy; true, accurate, as a faithful story. ³1. ­pistos, a verbal adjective, akin to peitho, is used in two senses, (a) passive, “faithful, to be trusted, reliable,” said of GOD, e.g., 1 Corinthians 1:9; 10:13; 2 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV, “true”); 2 Timothy 2:13; Hebrews 10:23; 11:11; 1 Peter 4:19; 1 John 1:9; of Christ, e.g., 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Hebrews 2:17; 3:2; Revelation 1:5; 3:14; 19:11; of the words of GOD, e.g., Acts 13:34, “sure”; 1 Timothy 1:15; 3:1 (KJV, “true”); 4:9; 2 Timothy 2:11; Titus 1:9; 3:8; Revelation 21:5; 22:6; of servants of the LORD, Matthew 24:45; 25:21, 23; Acts 16:15; 1 Corinthians 4:2, 17; 7:25; Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 1:7; 4:7, 9; 1 Timothy 1:12; 3:11; 2 Timothy 2:2; Hebrew 3:5; 1 Peter 5:12; 3 John 5; Revelation 2:13; 17:14; of believers, Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:2; (b) active, signifying “believing, trusting, relying,” e.g., Acts 16:1 (feminine); 2 Corinthians 6:15; Galatians 3:9 seems best taken in this respect, as the context lays stress upon Abraham’s “faith” in GOD, rather than upon his “faithfulness.” In John 20:27 the context requires the active sense, as the LORD is reproaching Thomas for his want of “faith.” See No. 2. ⁴Faithfulness, an attribute both of GOD and man, implying loyalty, constancy, and freedom from arbitrariness or fickleness (2 Corinthians 1:18; Galatians 5:22; 2 Timothy 2:2).

²Faithless = (fath’ les), adj. lacking faith; given to breaking promises; untrustworthy. Syn. Inconstant. Faithless means deceitful and treacherous, inconstant merely means changeable. An inconstant friend may turn to other interests or friends; a faithless friend may betray and deceive one. Ant. Faithful, loyal.  2. apistos is used with meanings somewhat parallel to No. 1; (a) “untrustworthy” (a, negative, and No. 1), not worthy of confidence or belief, is said of things “incredible,” Acts 26:8 (b) “unbelieving, distrustful,” used as a noun, “unbeliever,” Luke 12:46; 1 Timothy 5:8 (RV, for KJV, “infidelJ; in Titus 1:15 and Revelation 21:8, “unbelieving”; “faithless” in Matthew 17:17; Mark 9:19; Luke 9:41; John 20:27. The word is most frequent in 1 and 2 Corinthians.

³Faith (of little) = oligopistos, til., “little faith” (oligos, “little,” pistis, “faith”), is used only by the LORD, and as a tender rebuke, for anxiety, Matthew 6:30 and Luke 12:28; for fear, Matthew 8:26; 14:31; 16:8.

²Mammon = (mam’um), n. wordly gain. ³mamonas, a common Aramaic word for “riches,” akin to a Hebrew word signifying “to be firm, steadfast” (whence “Amen”), hence, “that which is to be trusted,”; Gesenius regards it as derived from a Hebrew word signifying “treasure,” Genesis 43:23; it is personified in Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:9, 11, 13. ⁴(mam’un, riches), the Aramaic word for “riches.” Christ used it as a life-goal opposed to GOD (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). Jesus also employed the word in the phrase “mammon of unrighteousness” (meaning “money”) in His parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16:11, 13). (Matthew 6:19-21, 24; Luke 12:13-21, 16:1-13; Proverbs 13:7, 23:4-5)

²Prosperity = (pros per’ i ti) n. success; good fortune; state of thriving.

²Prosperous = (pros’ per us) adj. successful, thriving.

²Prosper = (pros’ per)v.i. and v.t. to succeed, as the business prospered; to flourish, as fruit prospers in the climate; to render successful, as GOD prospered His servant. ³OT tsaleach “to succeed, prosper.” This word generally expresses the idea of a successful venture, as contrasted with failure. The source of such success is GOD, 2 Chronicles 26:5. NT euodoo “to help on one’s way” (eu, “well,” hodos, “a way or journey”), is used in the passive voice signifying “to have a prosperous journey,” Romans 1:10; metaphorically, “to prosper, be prospered,” 1 Corinthians 16:2, RV, “(as) he may prosper,” KJV, “(as) GOD) hath prospered (him),” lit., “in whatever he may be prospered,” i.e., in material things; the continuous tense suggests the successive circumstances of varying prosperity as week follows week; in 3 John 2, of the “prosperity” of the physical and spiritual health.

²Riches = (rich’ ez), n. pl. valuable possessions, wealth; plenty.

²Rich = (rich), adj. having more than ordinary amounts of money or possessions; expensive and fine, as rich clothing; abundant, as a rich harvest; fertile and productive, as this is rich soil; having plenty of, as rich in memories; brilliant and strong, as rich colors or tones. ³ Rich, Riches, Richly, Rich man = A. Adjective. plousios, akin to B, C, No. 1. “rich, wealthy,” is used(I) literally, (a) adjectivally (with a noun expressed separately) in Matthew 27:57; Like 12:16; 14:12; 16:1, 19; (without a noun), 18:23; 19:2; (b) as a noun singular; a “rich” man (the noun not being expressed), Matthew 19:23, 24; Mark 10:25; 12:41; Luke 16:21, 22; 18:25; James 1:10, 11, “the rich,” “the rich(man)”; plural, Mark 12:21, lit., “rich (ones)”; Luke 6:24 (ditto); 21:1; 1 Timothy 6:17, “(them that are) rich,” lit., “(the) rich”; James 2:6, RV, “the rich” 5:1, RV, “ye rich”; Revelation 6:15 and 13:16, RV, “the rich”; (II), metaphorically, of GOD, Ephesians 2:4 (“in mercy”); of Christ, 2 Corinthians 8:9; of believers, James 2:5, RV, “(to be) rich (in faith)”; Revelation 2:9, of spiritual “enrichment” generally; 3:17, of a false sense of “enrichment.” B. Verbs. 1. Plouteo, “to be rich,” in the aorist or point tense, “to become rich,” is used (a) literally, Luke 1:53, “the rich,” present participle, lit., “(ones or those) being rich”; 1 Timothy 6:9, 18; Revelation 18:3, 15, 19 (all three in the aorist tense); (b) metaphorically, of Christ, Romans 10:12 (the passage stresses the fact that Christ is LORD; see v. 9, and the RV), of the “enrichment” of believers through His poverty, 2 Corinthians 8:9 (the aorist tense expressing completeness, with permanent results); so in Revelation 3:18, where the spiritual “enrichment” is conditional upon righteousness of life and conduct; of a false sense of “enrichment,” 1 Corinthians 4:8 (orist), RV, “ye are become rich” (KJV, “ye are rich”); Revelation 3:17 (perfect tense, RV, “I…have gotten riches,” KJV, “I am …increased with goods”); of not being “rich” toward GOD, Luke 12:21. 2. Ploutizo, “to make rich, enrich,” is rendered “making (many) rich” in 2 Corinthians 6:10 (metaphorical of “enriching” spiritually). C. Nouns. 1. Ploutos, is used in the singular (I) of material “riches,” used evilly, Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19; Luke 8:14; 1 Timothy 6:17; James 5:2; Revelation 18:17; (II) of spiritual and moral “riches,” (a) possessed by GOD and exercised towards men, Romans 2:4, “of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering”; 9:23 and Ephesians 3:16, “of His glory” (i.e., of its manifestation in grace towards believers); Romans 11:33, of His wisdom and knowledge; Ephesians 1:7 and 2:7; “of His grace”; 1:18, “of the glory of His inheritance in the saints”; 3:8, “of Christ”; Philippians 4:19, “in glory in Christ Jesus,” RV; Colossians 1:27, “of the glory of this mystery…Christ in you, the hope of glory”; (b) to be ascribed to Christ, Revelation 5:12; (c) of the effects of the gospel upon the Gentiles, Romans 11:12 (twice); (d) of the full assurance of understanding in regard to the mystery of GOD, even Christ, Colossians 2:2, RV; (e) of the liberality of the churches in Macedonia, 2 Corinthians8:2 (where “the riches” stands for the spiritual and moral value of their liberality); (f) of “the reproach of Christ” in contrast to this world’s treasures, Hebrews 11:26. 2. Chrema, “what one uses or needs”(chraomai, “to use”), “a matter, business,” hence denotes “riches,” Mark 10:23, 24; Luke 18:24. D. Adverb. Plousios, “richly, abundantly,” akin to A, is used in Colossians 3:16; 1 Tiothy 6:17; Titus 3:6, RV, “richly” (KJV, “abundantly”); 2 Peter 1:11 (ditto).

²Wealth = (welth), n. riches, affluence. ³OT, hon “wealth; substance; riches; possessions; enough.” Hon usually refers to movable goods considered as “wealth,” Proverbs 6:31; cf. Ezekiel 27:12. “Wealth” can be good and a sign of blessing, Psalm 112:3. The creation is GOD’s wealth, Psalm 119:14. In the Proverbs “wealth” is usually an indication of ungodliness, Proverbs 10:15. Finally, hon means “enough,” only in Proverbs 30:15-16. NT euporia, primarily “facility” (eu, “well,” poros, “a passage”), hence “plenty, wealth” occurs in Acts 19:25. ⁴Wealth = abundance of possessions whether material, social or spiritual. Among early Hebrews, wealth consisted largely of flocks and herds, silver and gold, brass, iron and clothing (Joshua 22:8). In the days of Job, his sons had houses, but their wealth consisted largely of camels, asses, flocks and herds and “a very great household” (Job 1:3), no doubt implying many servants. From the beginning of Israel, GOD taught His people that He was the giver of their wealth (Deuteronomy 8:16) and He taught them to be liberal (Proverbs 11:24). Jesus did not condemn wealth, but stressed the handicap of wealth to one wanting to enter the Kingdom of GOD (Matthew 19:24; Like 16:19-31).

²Wealthy = (wel’ tyi), adj. [comp. wealthier, superi. Wealthiest} rich, affluent.

² Bless = (bles), v.t., to make happy; to consecrate. ³ Bless, Blessed, Blessedness, Blessing  OT = A. Verb barak “to kneel, bless, be blessed, curse.” Barak occurs 330 times in the Bible, first in Genesis 1:22, when GOD blesses creation. barak is used again of man, Genesis 5:2; 9:1; 12:2-3. The covenant promise called the nations to seek the “blessing,” cf. Isaiah 2:2-4, but made it plain that the initiative in blessing rests with GOD, and that Abraham and his seed were the instruments of it, Numbers 6:23-27. The passive form of barak is used in pronouncing GOD’s “blessing on men,” Genesis 14:19, 9:26; 14:20. barak is also a common form of greeting, 1 Samuel 13:10. B. Nouns berakah ,”blessing,” used in conjunction with the verb barak, Genesis 12:2. When expressed by men, a “blessing” was a wish or prayer for favorable circumstance, Genesis 28:4. Patriarchs customarily extended this wish of prayer upon their children before they died; Jacob’s, Genesis 49; Moses’, Deuteronomy 33:1ff. Blessing was the opposite of a cursing (qelalah), Genesis 27:12; 33:11; Nehemiah 9:5. The LORD’s “blessing” rests on those who are faithful to Him, Deuteronomy 11:27. His blessing brings righteousness, psalm 24:5, life, Psalm 133:3, prosperity, 2 Samuel 7:29, and salvation, Psalm 3:8. The “blessing” is portrayed as a rain or dew, Ezekiel 34:26; cf. Psalm 84:6. In the fellowship of the saints, the LORD commands His “blessing,” Psalm 133:3. In a few cases, the LORD made people to be a blessing” to others. Abraham is a blessing to the nations, Genesis 12:2. His descendents are expected to become a blessing to the nations, Isaiah 19:24; Zechariah 8:13. asher, “blessed; happy,” mostly in Psalms and Proverbs. Basically, this word connotes the state of “prosperity” or “happiness” that comes when a superior bestows his favor (blessing) on one.  In most passages, the one bestowing favor is GOD Himself, Deuteronomy 33:29; Job 5:17-18; 5:22, A human can call another blessed, 1 Kings 10:8. NT A. Verbs 1. eulogeo, latterly “to speak well of,” signifies, (a) “to praise, to celebrate with praises,” of that which is addressed to GOD, acknowledging His goodness, with desire for His Glory, Luke 1:64; 2:28; 24:51, 53; James 3:9; (b) “to invoke blessings upon a person,” e.g., Luke 6:28; Romans 12:14. The present participle passive, “blessed, praised,” is especially used of Christ in Matthew 21:9; 23:39, and the parallel passages; also in John 12:13; (c) “to consecrate a thing with solemn prayers, to ask GOD’s blessing on a thing,” e.g., Luke 9:16; 1 Corinthians 10:16; (d) “to cause to prosper, to make happy, to bestow blessings on,” said of GOD, e.g., in Acts 3:26; Galatians 3:9; Ephesians 1:3. 2. eneulogeomai , “to bless,” is used in the passive voice, Acts 3:25, and Galatians 3:8. The prefix en apparently indicates the person on whom the blessing is conferred. 3. makarizo, from a root mak-, meaning “large lengthy,” found also in macros, “long,” mekos, “length,” hence denotes “to pronounce happy, blessed,” Luke 1:48 and James 5:11. B. Adjectives, 1. eulogetos, akin to A, 1, means “blessed, praised”; it is applied only to GOD, Mark 14:61; Luke 1:68; Romans 1:25; 9:5; 2 Corinthians 1:3; 11:31; Ephesians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3. 2. makarios, akin to A, NO. 3, is used in the beatitudes in Matthew 5 and Luke 6, is especially frequent in the Gospel of Luke, and is found seven times in Revelation, 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14. It is said of GOD twice, 1 Timothy 1:11; 6:15. In the beatitudes the LORD indicates not only the characters that are “blessed,” but the nature of that which is the highest good. C. Nouns, 1. eulogia, akin to A, 1 , literally, “good speaking, praise,” is used of (a) GOD and Christ, Revelation 5:12-13; 17:12; (b) the invocation of blessings, benediction, Hebrews 12:17; James 3:10; (c) the giving of thanks, 1 Corinthians 10:16; (d) a blessing, a benefit bestowed, Romans 15:29; Galatians 3:14; Ephesians 1:3; Hebrews 6:7; of a monetary gift sent to needy believers, 2 Corinthians 9:5-6; (e) in a bad sense, of fair speech, Romans 16:18, RV, where it is joined with chrestologia, “smooth speech,” the latter relating to the substance, eulogia to the expression. 2. makarismos, akin to A, 3, “blessedness,” indicates an ascription of blessing rather than a state; hence in Romans 4:6, where the KJV renders it as a noun, “(describeth) the blessedness”; the RV rightly puts “(pronounceth) blessing.” So v. 9. In Galations 4:15 the KJV has “blessedness,” RV, “gratulation.” The Galatian believers had counted themselves happy when they heard and received the Gospel. Had they lost that opinion? ³ Bless, Blessing. 1. GOD blesses nature (Genesis 1:22), mankind (Genesis 1:28), the Sabbath (Genesis 2:3), nations (Psalm 33:12), classes of men (Psalm 1:1-3) and individuals (Genesis 24:1, etc.). 2. Godly men should “bless” GOD; i.e. they should adore Him, worship Him and praise Him (Psalm 103:1, 2, etc.). 3. Godly men can bestow blessings on others Matthew 5:44; 1 Peter 3:9). 4. In Bible times, godly men under inspiration bestowed prophetic blessings on their progeny, e.g. (Genesis 9:26, 27; 27:27-29, 39, 40, 49; Deuteronomy 33). 5. We can bless things when we set them apart for sacred use (1 Corinthians 10:16).

² Blessing = (bles’ ing), n, an invocation of happiness; a benediction.

Notes:

All scripture quotes are from ¹ The New King James Version of the Holy Bible except as noted.

*Examples of 1 Timothy 6:6-10: Balaam and Balak (Numbers 22-24, 31:8); Naaman and Gehazi (2 Kings 5:1-27); Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)

^@ In Mark and Luke it is translated “the Kingdom of GOD.” Do not be confused by the terms Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of GOD. In most instances they mean the same place, the place where GOD resides. The fact is the Bible references 3 heavens, the natural sky, the spiritual realm, and the 3^rd Heaven where GOD’s throne is. But all of them as well as all things that exist are in GOD.  Here are some scriptures about heaven and kingdom: Genesis 1:8; Psalms 14:2, 19:2, 22:28, 45:6, 103:11, 119:89, 145:13; Ecclesiastes 5:2; Deuteronomy 10:14; 1 Kings 8:4; 1 Chronicles 29:11; Isaiah 65:17, 66:1; Romans 14:7; 2 Corinthians 12:1-4; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 1:3, 4:9-10; Colossians 1:5; Hebrews 1:8&10, 4:14, 7:26, 11:16, 12:22&28; 2 Peter 3:10;  Revelation 8:1, 21:1.

¹ The Holy Bible, The New King James Version, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Copyright 1994

The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version with Apocrypha, Oxford University Press, Copyright 1989

² New Concise Webster’s Dictionary, Modern Promotions/Publishers, 1984 edition.

³ Vine’s Concise Dictionary of the Bible, Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005

⁴ The New Compact Bible Dictionary, Zondervan Publishing House, 1967