Biblical view of Prosperity! (Part 1)
Introduction:
Let's take a close look at scriptures concerning God's will for us to be blessed, and see what it really says about God's desire to bless us!
To say that God wants us poor, when His Word says otherwise, is a serious sin in the eyes of God. Why is it so serious? Because it gives Him a terrible name that He does not deserve among men. It paints an ugly picture of Him being a cruel distant taskmaster, as opposed to a loving Father who desires to heal, bless and restore us. No earthly father would want his children poor and miserable, so why do we paint such an ugly picture of our Heavenly Father, who takes pleasure in giving us good things?
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:9-11
Perhaps one of the greatest lies that Satan has fed the church, is that God is not a good God, and that our lives here on earth are just going to be poor, miserable, sick, and defeated.
To say that God wants us poor, when His Word says otherwise, is a serious sin in the eyes of God. Why is it so serious? Because it gives Him a terrible name that He does not deserve among men. It paints an ugly picture of Him being a cruel distant taskmaster, as opposed to a loving Father who desires to heal, bless and restore us. No earthly father would want his children poor and miserable, so why do we paint such an ugly picture of our Heavenly Father, who takes pleasure in giving us good things?
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:9-11
Perhaps one of the greatest lies that Satan has fed the church, is that God is not a good God, and that our lives here on earth are just going to be poor, miserable, sick, and defeated.
Money itself is not evil; the love of money is evil.
The first misunderstanding is that money is the root of all evil. The Bible does not say that! If we look carefully, it is the LOVE of money is the root of all evil; not the money itself.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10
Money is not evil in itself, or God wouldn't have blessed His people over and over again with it. Abraham, who is our father through faith, was filthy rich. To say that money is evil, is to say that God gave Abraham much evil. The streets in heaven are lined with gold; so if gold was evil, then heaven's streets are lined with an evil substance!
If we look in Deuteronomy 28, the famous blessing and curses chapter, we learn that having an abundance of money is considered a BLESSING or a GOOD THING! It is in no way evil for a child of God to be financially blessed.
The first misunderstanding is that money is the root of all evil. The Bible does not say that! If we look carefully, it is the LOVE of money is the root of all evil; not the money itself.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10
Money is not evil in itself, or God wouldn't have blessed His people over and over again with it. Abraham, who is our father through faith, was filthy rich. To say that money is evil, is to say that God gave Abraham much evil. The streets in heaven are lined with gold; so if gold was evil, then heaven's streets are lined with an evil substance!
If we look in Deuteronomy 28, the famous blessing and curses chapter, we learn that having an abundance of money is considered a BLESSING or a GOOD THING! It is in no way evil for a child of God to be financially blessed.
E.g..Mark 10:21-25
Seek ye first the kingdom of God
Let's get our priorities straight. If we want the blessings of God upon our lives, then we need to seek first His kingdom, and put His priorities above our own.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33
One of the keys to putting the kingdom of God first, is in our heart's attitudes and our obedience to what God commands of us. If God said to love those who hate you, and you hold bitterness in your heart, then you can forget about it. God's Word tells us that we need to be willing and obedient if we would like to eat of the good of the land:
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. Isaiah 1:19
Notice that in the above verse, both of those things are required. It's not enough to be obedient, but we must also be willing. Being willing pertains to our heart condition and attitude, and obedience pertains to our actions.
Let's get our priorities straight. If we want the blessings of God upon our lives, then we need to seek first His kingdom, and put His priorities above our own.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33
One of the keys to putting the kingdom of God first, is in our heart's attitudes and our obedience to what God commands of us. If God said to love those who hate you, and you hold bitterness in your heart, then you can forget about it. God's Word tells us that we need to be willing and obedient if we would like to eat of the good of the land:
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. Isaiah 1:19
Notice that in the above verse, both of those things are required. It's not enough to be obedient, but we must also be willing. Being willing pertains to our heart condition and attitude, and obedience pertains to our actions.
False humility versus true humility
The Bible tells us to be humble. Many believe that being humble means eating low quality food being in poor. They think that because they don't eat of the good of the land, that they are more spiritual than those who do. Poverty is poverty, and has nothing to do with humility! Some in the body of Christ are even proud of their poorness, and that is nothing more than religious pride. That is the exact opposite of true humility! Let's think, how they would treat Abraham if he lived in this day and age? Perhaps Job, who was extremely wealthy? Or Solomon? Or Lot, who was told to leave the country because of his great wealth?
True humility is not being poor, but being thankful. You can be wealthy and thankful to God for those blessings, and that is true humility.
The Bible tells us to be humble. Many believe that being humble means eating low quality food being in poor. They think that because they don't eat of the good of the land, that they are more spiritual than those who do. Poverty is poverty, and has nothing to do with humility! Some in the body of Christ are even proud of their poorness, and that is nothing more than religious pride. That is the exact opposite of true humility! Let's think, how they would treat Abraham if he lived in this day and age? Perhaps Job, who was extremely wealthy? Or Solomon? Or Lot, who was told to leave the country because of his great wealth?
True humility is not being poor, but being thankful. You can be wealthy and thankful to God for those blessings, and that is true humility.
Deut 8:13,14
God loves blessing His people
God's Word tells us clearly that the wealth of this earth belongs to those who fear the Lord!
He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Psalms 115:13-16
Did you know that God's Word tells us that it is Him who gives us the power to obtain WEALTH? God's Word actually speaks of making His people wealthy by multiplying their silver, gold and everything they had!
And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied... But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:13,18
Don't tell that they received spiritual wealth only, when it's speaking of silver, gold, flocks (their finances through their businesses) and everything they had. They are undeniable material and financial blessings that are talked about here. God gave His people the power to obtain financial wealth!
He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Psalms 115:13-16
Did you know that God's Word tells us that it is Him who gives us the power to obtain WEALTH? God's Word actually speaks of making His people wealthy by multiplying their silver, gold and everything they had!
And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied... But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:13,18
Don't tell that they received spiritual wealth only, when it's speaking of silver, gold, flocks (their finances through their businesses) and everything they had. They are undeniable material and financial blessings that are talked about here. God gave His people the power to obtain financial wealth!
Conclusion:
Some think that God no longer wants to have His children be abundantly provided for. Why not? Is not Jesus the same yesterday, today, and forever? Is not the new covenant based on BETTER promises? Since when did the new covenant do away with the idea that God wanted His children blessed? This is just the fruit of today's religious mindset and the teachings and doctrines of men.Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine.
Genesis 27:28
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