GODLY PROSPERITY?/DOES GOD BLESS THE BELIEVER WITH MATERIAL THINGS TODAY 2
1Co 16:1 now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
1Co 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
As this world’s economic problems grow worse, there also comes the desire for most to find a divine intervention into their financial woes. Whether the person is Christian or not, there is a belief system that would lead the believers to assume that God will ‘find a way’ to make things financially right in their lives, this type of doctrine is preached with the understanding that God blesses His people financially when they call upon Him in their time of need. This type of blessing is what the world searches for with little emphasis being placed upon the spiritual blessings that we have “in Christ” which was accomplished at the cross and what we will possess in heavenly places. Satan’s main goal is to keep people ignorant concerning the blessings that we have in Christ, but have them to believe that the carnal things of this world are ‘God-sent.’
Gal 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Gal 2:10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Rom 15:25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
Rom 15:26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
Rom 15:27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
Act 11:27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
Act 11:28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
Act 11:29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
Act 11:30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Paul had given order to the Galatian church to take up a collection for “the poor saints which are at Jerusalem” this was due to “great dearth” caused because the saints had earlier “sold all” their possessions in accordance with “the gospel of the kingdom” preached by Jesus Christ and His apostles. Paul had given the churches the understanding that because the Gentiles have “been made partakers” of the spiritual blessing of the Lord (salvation and justification from the debt and penalty of our sins), it would be fitting that they should also give “unto them (the Jews) in carnal things.”
1Co 16:1 now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
1Co 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
When Paul asks the Corinthian church for “the collection for the saints,” he states the fact that just as “God hath prospered” these saints with the gift of salvation, they also should feel the necessity to give to the “poor saints” in need.
So where does the understanding come from that has millions believing that God will bless them ‘carnally’ or that they are ‘blessed’ because they have carnally benefited from what this world has to offer?
Deu 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
Deu 28:2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
Deu 28:3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
Deu 28:4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
Deu 28:5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
Deu 28:6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
God in “times past” gave Israel 613 commandments throughout the books of Exodus through Deuteronomy that they were to “observe” and “hearken unto,” and if they were to “observe and do all His commandments” they would receive blessings of the LORD that would set them apart from “all the nations of the earth.” This covenant that God made with Israel would only be fulfilled to and through Israel if they would do what the LORD required them to do at that time.
Deu 28:7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
Deu 28:8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Deu 28:9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
Deu 28:10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
Deu 28:11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
Deu 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
Deu 28:13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
The LORD did not make the same promises to “all the nations of the earth” in times past, nor do we have any scripture supporting the fact that God has made such promises to the Gentile world (all nations of the earth) today. Within the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy contain covenants and promises given by the LORD to His chosen nation which set them apart and “above” all nations of the earth. The Gentile nations would see the nation of Israel prosper in their land, despite the weather conditions, lack of rain, or enemy raids in their lands; and they would see Israel prospering and would come to realize that Israel is a nation that is “called by the name of the LORD” and be “afraid” of Israel.
Deu 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
Deu 28:16 Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.
Deu 28:17 Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store.
Deu 28:18 Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
Deu 28:19 Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
Deu 28:20 The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.
These blessings were, and still are Israel’s rightful possession IF they would “hearken unto the LORD,” but if they would not “hearken” and do all that the LORD commanded then will these curses come upon them, and eventually “overtake” them. Just as the LORD covenanted and made promises to bless Israel, the curses also belonged to Israel by covenant and promise, the LORD made this covenant with Israel and Israel alone, and He has not given any such promises to anyone in any nation outside of Israel, no matter what today’s church world says. However as much as most church-goers want the blessings promised to Israel, none will say that they want the curses that are associated along with this covenant, but what they fail to realize is that you have to do ALL that the LORD has commanded in the 613 laws to obtain these blessings from the LORD.
Act 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Act 8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
Act 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Act 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Act 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Act 8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Act 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Act 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Act 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Act 8:23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
There are millions that follow the prosperity gospel with the majority seeking to blessed with “carnal” things of this world, and the understanding is that the more you have, the more God has shown ‘favor’ your way. Moreover most feel what will ‘get the ball rolling’ in their prosperity life is that they must give to the church, of course it is the preacher himself proclaiming this message unto them. What he leads the followers to believe is that if you give money to God (the preacher’s bank account) then God will give you more money than you just gave away; common sense would tell anyone that if you need money, why would you give it away to try to get more? Well we see people do this at the casinos all the time. In the verse above Simon also wanted God to give him something, and we see what the apostle’s attitude was concerning this type of ‘give God money, to get a gift’ thinking.
2Co 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
2Co 9:9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
2Co 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
2Co 9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
Gal 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
In many churches around the world the preacher will say to his followers that ‘if you sow a seed you will reap a harvest,’ this is a misunderstood issue in churches today, what Paul says here again is; because of all you have been given of God (the gift of eternal life and our spiritual blessings when we get to heavenly places) that should motivate you to give and show charity to others. What Paul teaches the saints is to show charity to others out of godly love from our hearts, not so we can benefit from our well doing in any type of way.
1Co 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
The issue of ‘sowing and reaping’ is based upon the believer giving of himself (not always money), but only if he is reasonably able to do so, without trying to do something out of “necessity” or doing it to get something in return. And in our “well doing” we receive our reward in heavenly places, not here on the earth, that’s why Paul shows the distinction between the spiritual things and the carnal things of this earth.
1Ti 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
1Ti 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1Ti 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
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.
There are millions of people that are deceived into believing and giving their money away with the hope that God will ‘show favor’ their way, and when things are good in their life they will say that it must be a blessing from God, but when they face hard times they will say that it has to be a ‘test’ from God. There are no biblical verses that support this type of belief because it is Satan and his ministers who have corrupted God’s word of truth in leading people to believe that God will do something that He never promised He would do within His word of truth. The prosperity message today teaches that “gain is godliness,” when in fact it is an “ungodly” message and belief system being taught today by these “men of corrupt minds.”
Php 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Php 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Php 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Php 4:14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
Php 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
Php 4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
Php 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
Php 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
Godly contentment is found within God’s word of truth, and there is doctrine specifically designed for our souls, so that we as “sons” can let the word of God work “effectually” within us as members of the body of Christ.Today’s church should be established upon “the doctrine which is according to godliness,” but this is not the case, instead of finding godly “contentment” in their Christian lives, most will seek after “many foolish and hurtful lusts” (health, wealth, relationships) and continue to follow after “men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth.”
Rod Jones