Prosperity 2019

Prosperity?

There is a lot said about prosperity and the prosperity doctrine.

Here is what I believe and every believer should have an opinion and know why they have it.

When I first became a believer in December of 1974 I did not know anything about GOD or the Bible. I soon got married and we attended a small church in a semi-rural area of San Diego County. In September 1975 I started Bible College and went for two years, besides being involved in the Church we attended.

Not long after I became a Christian I heard about the prosperity doctrine, that GOD wanted all Christians to be healthy and wealthy and if you gave enough money to the right ministries that would happen. It did not sound right to me as a young Christian and it still sounds wrong to me 44 years later.

THE GOSPEL IN NOT FOR SALE!

Not just prosperity doctrine teachers make a profit from the Gospel, many ministers sell their teachings and books and charge speaking fees. I believe this is wrong!

Jesus told the disciples the first time He sent them out to minister in His Name, the 12 and the 70, “Do not take a purse (wallet, billfold, money belt, bank card, etc.) accept what is offered, a workman is worthy of His hire.” (my paraphrase) Jesus also told them that freely they had received and freely they were to give in regards to the ministry gifts He gave them. This did not change when He gave them the Great Commission and it did not change when the Father gave them the Holy spirit, nor has it ever changed, there is nowhere in the scripture where we are told or allowed to make a profit from the Gospel. Study Matthew 10:5-15 and Luke 10:1-20.

In the epistles and in Proverbs we are told to watch out for those who are drawing people to themselves and for those who seek after fame and wealth.

I believe that the works of the Kingdom are works of faith (trust), if we believe that GOD is GOD and that JESUS is the savior of humanity and LORD of All then we should also believe that the Bible is the Word of GOD and is to be used for teaching, training, correction, direction and life. Our trust has to be like Peter’s when JESUS told him to step out of the boat and walk on water, so we must believe GOD then when He tells us to do something and there is an expense or materials required or anything that we do not already have then we have to wait for GOD to supply, we have all heard of testimonies where GOD told someone to go somewhere or do something and without asking or telling anyone GOD miraculously supplied what was needed when it was needed; like being told to go on a trip and going to the airport without the money do get a ticket and someone shows up and said GOD told them to bring the money for their ticket.

This is what happened after the day of Pentecost, the Apostles did not tell the new believes to sell their property and homes and bring the money to them, but the new believes did. This is what happened to the Israelites when GOD delivered them out of Egypt. GOD put it on the hearts of the Egyptians (in fear) to give of their wealth to the Israelites as they were leaving. Then in the wilderness when GOD showed Moses the plans for the Tabernacle He told Moses to tell the people to give and they gave so much that Moses had to tell them to stop giving. Paul was living and ministering in one region and receiving unasked for support from another region; and he used that to teach the Church not to just tithe but to give to the needs of the Church in other regions; and none of those funds went to administrative costs and salaries.

JESUS did not take a collection or offering when He traveled and ministered, the Father put it on the heart of women (who were not allowed to be part of the ministry) to support Him and the disciples out of their allowances.

This is the way the Kingdom of GOD works if we trust Him to do as He asks or tells us to do He will supply everything we need when we need it. If He does not supply it, it is either not the time or not for you.

GOD Is Not A For Profit GOD!

Until late in the Twentieth Century traveling ministries received faith offerings from wherever they were ministering, they usually traveled at their own expense and stayed with and took their meals with the pastor’s family or an elder’s family. Now many ministries expect and demand travel and hotel accommodations as well as a specific payment for their ministry, some even charge admittance and for materials provided; it’s not that there are no costs involved but are they doing it at cost or making a profit?

JESUS told us to lay down our life and take up our cross daily, JESUS told us to lay down out life for the brethren. Prosperity is not a doctrine it is the result of GOD’s blessing on people and prosperity is not about money but about our whole life. GOD only calls those to be rich whom He has gifted to be rich in their mother’s womb and who have proved to Him their trustworthiness throughout their life time. There are many who get rich on their own but are actually missing the call GOD has for them.

The teachers of prosperity actually make many Christians unhappy with the call GOD has gifted them for. Also if financial prosperity was GOD’s goal for all Christians than why do so many who try to follow the prosperity doctrine and give by faith to the prosperity ministries and sow seeds of faith into the prosperity ministries never get rich?

The prosperity doctrine can only be taught in wealthy nations, it does not sell in nations where 90% or more of the population lives in abject poverty. The prosperity doctrine does not sell in

third world nations or nations under totalitarian or communist government.

If a doctrine is not for the whole Church then it is not a Biblical doctrine!