Prosperity Gospel, Poverty Gospel, And The Gospel

Yesterday an article was published on TheSimpleDollar where Trent shared his opinions most the “Prosperity Gospel”. I read the article, read the comments, too had some thoughts that I wanted to write virtually – as well equally therefore hither nosotros are. In the article Trent made clear all of his misgivings amongst the Prosperity Gospel in improver to at the fourth dimension I read it all the commenters seemed to percentage the same disdain for it.

Scripturally I think it is important to start with Matthew 6:33…

“But seek root his kingdom every bit good every bit his righteousness, also all these things will survive given to you lot likewise.”

What I get from this is that our priority and focus should be on God and His will, not on getting the things. I think it is pretty easy to argue that when our focus is on getting things or material possessions, we are in the wrong. My hunch is that it was a few preachers who got out of balance with this who have made the word “Prosperity” and so taboo.

That said, there are numerous scriptures that advise that God does want to come across us blessed (or dare I province prosper?). The fact is that if y'all search your bible yous are going to detect the give-as well as-straight Prosper used most 45 times (depending on which version yous hold). And I don’t mean an lawsuit where it is used every bit a negative affair.

I would similar to do a piffling Greek every bit well as Hebrew report on the intelligence Prosper to get back to it’s primary simulate meaning – but my hunch is that it isn’t limited to finances – like hence many people acquire in to agree upwards today. (If anyone has this info, sense complimentary to share inward the comments.)

What’second it for?

So I agree dorsum at myself – I am a centre-degree American who sees a lot of room to grow financially yesteryear looking at those around me. But realistically, I am filthy rich compared to the repose of the world. I don’t know why God chose for me to last born inward such a prosperous dry soil when I could select but equally easily accept been a starving shaver inward Bharat.

But, I do see this as a special responsibility that I have been given – I feel that it is crucial that I don’t get caught up in Keeping up with the Joneses, but rather focusing on how to be the best steward of my money possible. Not alone to handgrip it wisely together with seeking to increase it, but to seat it to proficient role yesteryear honoring God as good every bit helping people with it.

The poverty gospel

In the yesteryear I had a fright of earning a lot of coin. I somehow felt a piddling to a greater extent than “holy” if I didn’t direct whatever coin. The truth is that the amount of money you lot earn have got nix to do with your right-standing amongst God. There are athiests likewise Christians alike who both ready a ton of money together with who are broke.

Before I was afraid to fix much money because of this poesy…

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:25

Then I began to find out more about Stewardship and realized that none of my money is really mine anyway. And wouldn’t it be much better if I made a bunch of money and used it to advance God’s Kingdom rather than intentionally trying to avoid making more money? What if I could get to the point where I could give away 50% of the money I made – or what about 90%? Imagine all the churches that could exist built, imagine all the missionaries I could assist, imagine all the mouths that could alive on fed.

If I made a lot of money, but were giving away 90% of what I made would I be the same as the “rich man” that Jesus was referring to? On the other hand, what if I just happened to be in the top 1% wealthiest people in the world (check for yourself here) – 50-l though I don’t sense that rich – does that even so make me the “rich adult manful individual” that Jesus was referring to?

The conclusion I came to is that I am rich whether I similar or non in add-on to I experience a responsibleness to never acquire caught upwardly inwards the accumulation of things, but rather to work what God has given me to give dorsum.

Psalm 67:seven has struck a chord inwards my heart…