The Prosperity Gospel

[SpiritLedEd]

this has been seen in countless churches across the world.

Shipwreck: What credible sources do you have for statistics or other data to support this "countless churches" claim? Do you have verifiable sources of information, i.e. websites, books, magazines, you can list for us to support what you are claiming here - that there are a huge number of churches making their pastors inordinately wealthy?

SLE

 

[shipwrecksoul]

Shipwreck: What credible sources do you have for statistics or other data to support this "countless churches" claim? Do you have verifiable sources of information, i.e. websites, books, magazines, you can list for us to support what you are claiming here - that there are a huge number of churches making their pastors inordinately wealthy?

SLE

If you own a computer you can google "list of prosperity gospel preachers".

U dont know when to quit huh?

 

[Boanerges]

Just my view:
It is okay to have stuff until your stuff has you. Selah.

God is not about riches but He is our great and exceeding reward.
He does however love to bless those with a right heart.
I cannot count the times I have given away my last $ and gotten it back before I even got home.
Some folks just try to turn God's generosity into either a formula or they get obsessive over it distorting it into something it is not.
I know plenty of Pastors myself. Hard working and dedicated.
One I know took his whole staff off of salary and worked tirelessly after Hurricane Katrina. While the gold coin and Cadillac crowd fled the city he and the local body he was part of became a hub of hope and help.

 

[shipwrecksoul]

Just my view:
It is okay to have stuff until your stuff has you. Selah.

God is not about riches but He is our great and exceeding reward.
He does however love to bless those with a right heart.
I cannot count the times I have given away my last $ and gotten it back before I even got home.
Some folks just try to turn God's generosity into either a formula or they get obsessive over it distorting it into something it is not.
I know plenty of Pastors myself. Hard working and dedicated.
One I know took his whole staff off of salary and worked tirelessly after Hurricane Katrina. While the gold coin and Cadillac crowd fled the city he and the local body he was part of became a hub of hope and help.

An encouraging post! Praise God! Thank you.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

If you own a computer you can google "list of prosperity gospel preachers".

U dont know when to quit huh?

Its about accountability, Shipwreck. Its about listing verifiable sources to support your claims..

SLE

 

[shipwrecksoul]

Its about accountability, Shipwreck. Its about listing verifiable sources to support your claims..

SLE

Yes its being opened to the truth already around you without one closing their eyes.

 

[Ophel]

Since when is the truth found in Googled lists? How reliable is that? To me, it smacks loudly of innuendo and hearsay, and not only that, but of gossip. Even listening to gossip is a sin, let alone repeating it. This topic borders on sedition.

Proverbs 18:18
Rumors are dainty morsels
that sink deep into one’s heart.

 

[shipwrecksoul]

Since when is the truth found in Googled lists? How reliable is that? To me, it snacks loudly of innuendo and hearsay, and not only that, but of gossip. Even listening to gossip is a sin, let alone repeating it. This topic borders on sedition.

Proverbs 18:18
Rumors are dainty morsels
that sink deep into one’s heart.

A grown man is aware of the world we live in. Anything else is someone who seeks not truth!

 

[Ophel]

A grown man is aware of the world we live in. Anything else is someone who seeks not truth!

Without Christ, "grown men" are fools. They are of the world and know not that it is fallen and lost heading for destruction. Many do not seek the truth at all, and in their lostness, they lack good common sense.

Proverbs 10:21
The words of the godly encourage many,
but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.


Can you explain your comment a bit more?

 

[shipwrecksoul]

Without Christ, "grown men" are fools. They are of the world and know not that it is fallen and lost heading for destruction. Many do not seek the truth at all, and in their lostness, they lack good common sense.

Proverbs 10:21
The words of the godly encourage many,
but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.


Can you explain your comment a bit more?

Yes, and sorry I did not go deeper. In either the secular world or the real saved world we are aware of the devil Schemes.

Because the secular man in a way knows it because he enjoys his sins, choice self, he ignores truth (Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men).

and the saved man knows the Lord.

2Co 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. (Some believe or not choose to be ignorant in the way the world views us.)

So the world knows the wrong decisions, the mud, some churches are making in way of the prosperity gospel knowing it, the world, clutches for riches while on this earth as the same.

Hey I hope I answered you. :shade:

 

[Ophel]

So, you don't believe that God favours His children, that he bestows wealth on those He trusts?

I love Psalm 112:
1 Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord
and delight in obeying his commands.
2 Their children will be successful everywhere;
an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
3 They themselves will be wealthy,
and their good deeds will last forever.
4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
5 Good comes to those who lend money generously
and conduct their business fairly.
6 Such people will not be overcome by evil.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
7 They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
8 They are confident and fearless
and can face their foes triumphantly.
9 They share freely and give generously to those in need.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.
They will have influence and honor.
10 The wicked will see this and be infuriated.
They will grind their teeth in anger;
they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

 

[spirit1st]

That is old testament , Where GOD was dealing with mankind in the flesh! Now HE is dealing with us in the eternal!
We are building up treasures in heaven . Which will LAST Forever more!

The flesh is only for a short time!

Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

 

[Ophel]

That is old testament , Where GOD was dealing with mankind in the flesh! Now HE is dealing with us in the eternal!
We are building up treasures in heaven . Which will LAST Forever more!

The flesh is only for a short time!

Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Haha! God hasn't changed the way He blesses His faithful servants. The law of sowing and reaping is current!

Malachi 3:10 is still in effect.
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!



God is the God of MORE THAN ENOUGH! Jesus demonstrated that by feeding a hungry crowd of over 5000 people and there was much food left over. He loves to bless with abundance--not just enough!

 

[spirit1st]

1Ti 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

3Jn 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

God does not want us being bums!
He wants to give us all our needs and more to be able to bless others with it!

We can clearly see all of GODS children are not millionaires!

I am a poor man , but rich in many ways! I own all i have .
But far from rich in this world!

Rev 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.



1Ti 6:10 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.


Nothing wrong with having a lot as long as we know its the LORDS !

 

[sister]

Agree..

Chad,good message!!I know of many of the prosperity preachers back in Il.I do not agree with most of what they preach too.I do believe in Gods promises..Plans to prosper us..not to harm us,plans for a future.And whether that future be in wealth or lack I still know he is faithful to take care of me..no matter what!!I myself in my christian walk have been afflicted in my physical,but he has healed me also of many things..but the fininacial struggles for a few yrs there seemed harder to go thru.It I know was a test also of my faith..and when I was down to nothing,he supplied in a way I didnt think would happen!!So...I dont doubt that he wants me taken care of and that he will suppy all my needs!!Whether he does it in a supernatural way..or thru people or certain situations!!Again I know his promise to never leave me or forsake me and that includes taking care of all my needs!!Thank you Father,Thank You sweet Jesus!!And Thank You Holy Spirit!!

 

[Ophel]

It is so true that God wants to take care of our needs and He does, but the whole point of us being His children is for us to be ministers of His care and provision to OTHERS. He uses His own people to bless the world.

If we are so busy being merely concerned with our own provision and how those needs are met, then how is God going to use us to meet the needs of others?

We need to get our lives in tune with Jesus Christ, allow the Holy Spirit to fill us up and empower us and set to work blessing others with the blessing God sends. He is a God of abundance and He is known as The God of More-Than-Enough! It is for a reason--so the world will know Him by His love through us, His kids!

 

[Boanerges]

The witness of every faithful servant in the New Testament was to seek and do God's will above all. God is a loving Father an does love to bless us. It is the fleshly mindset of some that causes confusion.
Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Php 4:20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
God shall supply you needs or wants? If wants, then for what purpose?

Some problems that lead to confusion are:

1. They think God is waiting for them to tell Him what to do instead of waiting expectantly in prayer for His will to be revealed.

2. They ask and believe (again according to their fleshly desires) for things that will not benefit them. Every dad knows giving his child everything he asks for would spoil and sometimes harm that child.

3. They are not taught the biblical Way of seeking first the Kingdom of God. Those that seek His will first find their heart's lining up with His will and are free to receive His blessing.

4. God owes them money because of a "biblical formula", etc- I have heard them all.

Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Make no mistake about it our God does bless His children. it however is often in different ways then they may look for. Put God first, seek His will, walk at the leading of and in the power of the Holy Spirit and you will not lack.

Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: