Is Prosperity For The Present Church?

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emekrus

Senior Member
Jun 1, 2015
355
92
28
www.righteousfaith.wordpress.com
#81
His service IS to give it to the poor. How would it be foolish to help the poor?
Give ALL you have to them and trust that God will give you back way more than you have now.

God IS telling you to do that. You know you won't because you lack faith He will restore your wealth.
You want to hold onto and increase your wealth and deceive your own self.

Put your money where your mouth is.

If your prosperity gospel is true then you have nothing to fear.
Well My Brother,
You actually talking of what I do as a lifestyle. What you are advising me to do, is the key that have brought me where I am in all ramification of life.
I have had to give out all when the Lord asked me to. And of course, the Lord has always multiplied the seeds back to me in million folds.
But I am saying I won't just go about giving when I am convinced in my spirit the Lord would have me hold them for other purposes of his.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,555
13,320
113
#82
Dear Sister,

But am wondering why you are ignoring the keywords increase and multiply in your exegesis.

Everyone knows those two keywords refers to abundance not just adequacy. Or what do you say?
First, I'm not your sister, or anyone's sister. I've no idea where you got the idea that I'm female.

Second, it is your opinion that the two keywords refer to abundance. If someone only has a quarter of what they need, and God multiplies it by four, they have just enough, and the exact wording is satisfied.

Third, I would encourage you to ponder two specific miracles of "increase" and "multiplication": the feeding of the five thousand, and the feeding of the four thousand. Who, exactly, went away "wealthy" from those events?

Other contributors have addressed this issue squarely, so there is little need for me to repeat it at length. Your focus on worldly wealth does not align with Scripture. Faith in God is not a means to worldly gain.
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,370
113
#83
Wow! Brother,
Concerning the emboldened part of your comment You got me almost right. Actually for me, Jesus= Earthly and Eternal lottery win!

And of course that's actually my reality. And I don't mean I do not have the persecution and suffering that goes along with it sometime as the scripture says.

My Christianity is virtually a heaven on earth experience. And I can Announce it to anyone, with all holy boldness, to the glory of God.

Then as for your thinking its horrible and satanic doctrine. Do you have scriptures?

If you do, then let's start discussing them.
You say your christianity is heaven oN earth, is that mean you are billionaire or at least millionaire? A house in heaven worth billions, If you christianity is like heaven oN earth, mean you live in the palace, never sick and whatever heavenly fasilities.
 

emekrus

Senior Member
Jun 1, 2015
355
92
28
www.righteousfaith.wordpress.com
#84
You say your christianity is heaven oN earth, is that mean you are billionaire or at least millionaire? A house in heaven worth billions, If you christianity is like heaven oN earth, mean you live in the palace, never sick and whatever heavenly fasilities.
Well,
My life is a conglomeration of everything heaven represents. Such as God's presence, divine Power and authority (You know daring the undarables and getting away with it), living above sin, Divine Health (Hospital and medicine free life), Married to the wife of my dream (as at when I desired God for it), Graduated as one of the best students ( with the exact grade I asked God for), Enjoying a fulfilling career, Great fulfilment of ministry (with humongous impact in many lives), Gave birth to a lovely child in less than one year of marriage, etc... all to the glory of God.

That's exactly what I mean by a heaven on earth Christianity.
 
7

7seasrekeyed

Guest
#85
Now we come back to the same old question...

If you honestly believe that the promise is only for the Jews. How come you believe, believers already have their hearts changed and the Holy Spirit put in them as contained in the text under consideration? On what grounds should we accept some and leave some?
another false narrative

we don't need to go back 3000 years to obtain whatever Christ has for us in the here and now

now you mention the Holy Spirit. how about Him? didn't he fall on the believers on the day of Pentecost and infill EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM?

now Ezekiel lived way before them and he had a special calling from God. for one thing, he was not living in the Promised Land anymore...the one that the captives from Egypt forfeited because of their constant complaining etc...an entire generation, the Bible says, had passed before anyone entered across the Jordan.

Ezekiel, was in BABYLON. he was a captive of the Babylonians. try reading the entire book...learn about him...he was or is one of the MAJOR prophets of the OT and he does not represent Gentile believers in the 21stC although there are most definitely principals that can be applied today

in fact, God starts out the entire covenant with the Jews at the foot of Mt Sinai that way...if you do all these things, you are gonna be A ok. if you do not do the things I am instructing you in, you are gonna be cursed every which way you turn. That, is why (in a nutshell) the Israelites failed time after time.

now here you are, wanting to identify with Jewish people who were taken captive from the 'promised land' and had been drug off to Babylonia. maybe study up on ancient Babylonia and get a feel for what kind of world that was for Jews who had been given the commandments and ordinances of God and because of their constant drifting away, they found themselves living in a foreign land with people who were as far as you can get from what God had given them

you cannot go touting around scripture and go 'ooo I like this verse I shall add it to my doctrine of whatever and that verse over there looks good too...I can make that fit.' that is not how we exegete the Bible but it is how many so called modern teachers and popular preachers, put together their Sunday soup bowl and call it spiritual 'food'

listen....there is no promise there to begin with. God is not making promises or surprising them with anything He never said before.

in v 29 He says through the prophet Ezekiel 'I will save you from your uncleanliness. He is speaking to all the captives

how did you ever come up with a concept of 'cash flow' from that? I could go on and on and exegete it for you and really dig in, but I suspect you are so caught up in your 'preaching', that you will just wait for me to shut up so you can repeat yourself

on what grounds can you know what is and what is not for us or on what grounds are we on solid ground or thin ice?

stop doing topical studies using either word search or books written by the prosperity gang, and go before God with a humble heart and tell Him you need some help with your understanding. stop trying to emulate TV dudes who fly around in private jets emulating King Midas, and emulate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

one more thing. you say you are preaching. this is a DISCUSSION forum and ain't nobody got time for preaching here

we are all in it for something to say ;)

the OT is not a collective smorgasbord of verses destined to be plucked and 'used' at the whim of those who cannot bother to take the time to 'get the whole picture' and once you do get the whole picture, you begin to understand how much sense it makes and that study is ongoing and the more you study, the more you kind of go 'wow, God is so fantastic!'
 
7

7seasrekeyed

Guest
#86
Well,
My life is a conglomeration of everything heaven represents. Such as God's presence, divine Power and authority (You know daring the undarables and getting away with it), living above sin, Divine Health (Hospital and medicine free life), Married to the wife of my dream (as at when I desired God for it), Graduated as one of the best students ( with the exact grade I asked God for), Enjoying a fulfilling career, Great fulfilment of ministry (with humongous impact in many lives), Gave birth to a lovely child in less than one year of marriage, etc... all to the glory of God.

That's exactly what I mean by a heaven on earth Christianity.
huh

have you read Job?

just sayin'

how about Christians who are beheaded for their faith? or loose everything because they took a stand against lies and stood up for the truth?

honestly dude, you have a very lobsided view of the Christian life

you do know you are speaking to North Americans, right? how do you suppose we live over here

the miracle here is not how much we have because most of us have too much

and in no way am I making fun of you or trying to hurt you. I am trying to get you to see that you do not quite get the picture
 

emekrus

Senior Member
Jun 1, 2015
355
92
28
www.righteousfaith.wordpress.com
#87
another false narrative

we don't need to go back 3000 years to obtain whatever Christ has for us in the here and now

now you mention the Holy Spirit. how about Him? didn't he fall on the believers on the day of Pentecost and infill EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM?

now Ezekiel lived way before them and he had a special calling from God. for one thing, he was not living in the Promised Land anymore...the one that the captives from Egypt forfeited because of their constant complaining etc...an entire generation, the Bible says, had passed before anyone entered across the Jordan.

Ezekiel, was in BABYLON. he was a captive of the Babylonians. try reading the entire book...learn about him...he was or is one of the MAJOR prophets of the OT and he does not represent Gentile believers in the 21stC although there are most definitely principals that can be applied today

in fact, God starts out the entire covenant with the Jews at the foot of Mt Sinai that way...if you do all these things, you are gonna be A ok. if you do not do the things I am instructing you in, you are gonna be cursed every which way you turn. That, is why (in a nutshell) the Israelites failed time after time.

now here you are, wanting to identify with Jewish people who were taken captive from the 'promised land' and had been drug off to Babylonia. maybe study up on ancient Babylonia and get a feel for what kind of world that was for Jews who had been given the commandments and ordinances of God and because of their constant drifting away, they found themselves living in a foreign land with people who were as far as you can get from what God had given them

you cannot go touting around scripture and go 'ooo I like this verse I shall add it to my doctrine of whatever and that verse over there looks good too...I can make that fit.' that is not how we exegete the Bible but it is how many so called modern teachers and popular preachers, put together their Sunday soup bowl and call it spiritual 'food'

listen....there is no promise there to begin with. God is not making promises or surprising them with anything He never said before.

in v 29 He says through the prophet Ezekiel 'I will save you from your uncleanliness. He is speaking to all the captives

how did you ever come up with a concept of 'cash flow' from that? I could go on and on and exegete it for you and really dig in, but I suspect you are so caught up in your 'preaching', that you will just wait for me to shut up so you can repeat yourself

on what grounds can you know what is and what is not for us or on what grounds are we on solid ground or thin ice?

stop doing topical studies using either word search or books written by the prosperity gang, and go before God with a humble heart and tell Him you need some help with your understanding. stop trying to emulate TV dudes who fly around in private jets emulating King Midas, and emulate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

one more thing. you say you are preaching. this is a DISCUSSION forum and ain't nobody got time for preaching here

we are all in it for something to say ;)

the OT is not a collective smorgasbord of verses destined to be plucked and 'used' at the whim of those who cannot bother to take the time to 'get the whole picture' and once you do get the whole picture, you begin to understand how much sense it makes and that study is ongoing and the more you study, the more you kind of go 'wow, God is so fantastic!'
Well, I'll have to let you go with your opinion.
 
7

7seasrekeyed

Guest
#88
Well, I'll have to let you go with your opinion.
no

you CHOOSE to ignore the SOLID and proper understanding of scripture that has been provided for you by just about everyone who responded to your op and you CHOOSE to hold onto your WOF teaching which will not serve you when you need it most

you are looking pretty sad right now because there is no defence of YOUR opinion

I'll leave you to it since you reject the truth here and hold onto WOF teaching monetary rewards instead of gaining spiritual understanding
 

emekrus

Senior Member
Jun 1, 2015
355
92
28
www.righteousfaith.wordpress.com
#89
no

you CHOOSE to ignore the SOLID and proper understanding of scripture that has been provided for you by just about everyone who responded to your op and you CHOOSE to hold onto your WOF teaching which will not serve you when you need it most

you are looking pretty sad right now because there is no defence of YOUR opinion

I'll leave you to it since you reject the truth here and hold onto WOF teaching monetary rewards instead of gaining spiritual understanding
Pretty Sad? perhaps for many. Not for myself. I am presently discussing this topic in other forums with good number of supporters who have the same understanding as I do. And are bold enough to come out and defend their faith.

It is really sad that many folks are not bold enough to stand out for the truth amidst crowds of opposition.

And tell you what, I am having the best of time believing everything the Lord promised the Church.

And I'll continue to discuss, teach and preach prosperity till Jesus returns. And when he returns I am sanguine to fly down to paradise to continue my bliss with him forever.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,243
16,252
113
69
Tennessee
#90
Acts 3:6
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

I am not really following your church prosperity perception.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,555
13,320
113
#91
Pretty Sad? perhaps for many. Not for myself. I am presently discussing this topic in other forums with good number of supporters who have the same understanding as I do. And are bold enough to come out and defend their faith.

It is really sad that many folks are not bold enough to stand out for the truth amidst crowds of opposition.

And tell you what, I am having the best of time believing everything the Lord promised the Church.

And I'll continue to discuss, teach and preach prosperity till Jesus returns. And when he returns I am sanguine to fly down to paradise to continue my bliss with him forever.
Methinks you have your fingers stuck firmly in your ears.
 

emekrus

Senior Member
Jun 1, 2015
355
92
28
www.righteousfaith.wordpress.com
#92
Acts 3:6
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

I am not really following your church prosperity perception.
You are very welcome Brother.

And of course, I am not saying you have to.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
36,530
13,098
113
#94
what to do with this?
We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.
(2 Corinthians 6:3-11)
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,370
113
#95
Well,
My life is a conglomeration of everything heaven represents. Such as God's presence, divine Power and authority (You know daring the undarables and getting away with it), living above sin, Divine Health (Hospital and medicine free life), Married to the wife of my dream (as at when I desired God for it), Graduated as one of the best students ( with the exact grade I asked God for), Enjoying a fulfilling career, Great fulfilment of ministry (with humongous impact in many lives), Gave birth to a lovely child in less than one year of marriage, etc... all to the glory of God.

That's exactly what I mean by a heaven on earth Christianity.
Good for you friend, you live at a millions dollar house like your house in heaven, what is your comment about this verse

Acts 3:6 King James Version (KJV)

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
36,530
13,098
113
#96
what to do with this?

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation — since they will pass away like a wild flower
(James 1:9-10)
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
12,764
113
#97
And I'll continue to discuss, teach and preach prosperity till Jesus returns.
You know -- or should know -- that the prosperity Gospel is a BOGUS GOSPEL.

Why? It makes the preachers rich at the expense of poor, gullible Christians!

Neither Christ, nor His apostles, nor any faithful preachers of the true Gospel, ever preached a prosperity Gospel. But the ones who do so are generally false teachers and some are outright charlatans.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
12,764
113
#98
what to do with this?

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation — since they will pass away like a wild flower
(James 1:9-10)
That was addressed to Christians in general -- NOT prosperity preachers. There is no question that some Christians will be wealthy, others middle class, and many very poor. The ones who are wealthy are being addressed here. Indeed James has a few harsh things for them in his epistle.

JAMES 5
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
 
S

SpoonJuly

Guest
#99
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.” – Ezekiel 36:26-30 (emphasis mine)

It is commonly argued that prosperity is not for the New Testament Church. And that as a matter of fact, the entire prosperity doctrine is false…

But from the highlighted clauses of the opening text, it is obvious that such arguments are not true. The opening text is a copy of the New Covenant as prophesied by the Prophet Ezekiel. And it was fulfilled and ratified by the death of Christ on the cross. By the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, anyone who believes in him (Jesus) becomes an automatic partaker of the New Covenant, and all its tenets.

And as a result, anyone who believes in Christ receives a change of heart, and the Holy Spirit as stated in the Covenant…

And in much the same way, anyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, also becomes a partaker of the prosperity clauses of the same New Covenant (Ezekiel 36: 29-30).

It is also argued that this Covenant is actually directed at the Jews. That is true. But however, the scripture tells us that we are fellow-citizens with the saints through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. And that the wall of partition between us and the Jew was broken in his flesh. Hence, we—Gentiles—also have access to the Covenants of promise (Ephesians 2:11-19).

If we believe that every Christian under the New Covenant already has changed hearts. And the Holy Spirit indwelling in them, to enable them keep the statutes of God as it is contained in the New Covenant, we shouldn’t also have problem believing that every believer is also prosperous.

Here are the divine prosperity clauses of the New Covenant again from the book of Ezekiel 36: 29-30;

I also will save you from all your uncleanness: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen

In the above scripture, the Lord clearly promises us prosperity. And he assures us of not receiving anymore reproach of famine among the heathen.

Now a matter must be established in the mouth of two or three witnesses. So let us consider another scripture that guarantees that divine prosperity is for the present church;

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia; how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

I speak not by commandment but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor; that ye through his poverty might be rich.” –2Corinthians 8:1-9

I had to quote this particular scripture to this length so we can get the exact context. Because many say it is being interpreted out of context. The above scripture is clearly talking about the giving grace God bestowed upon the Macedonian churches. Verse 2 says in their great trial of affliction, the abundance of their Joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. So clearly, this scripture is talking about the giving grace.

Then in verse 7 the Apostle Paul admonishes the Corinthians that as they abound or increase in spiritual gifts such as faith, utterance, knowledge, diligence, and love, they should see to it that they also abound or increase in the giving grace also. Then in verse 9 he says;

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

Concerning the above verse (verse 9), many argue that the riches referred to here are spiritual riches. But saying that will imply that the Apostle Paul meant;

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was spiritually rich, yet for your sakes he became spiritually poor, that ye through his spiritual poverty might be spiritually rich.”

Of course, the above quotation can’t be farther from the truth. It is scripturally obvious that Jesus was never spiritually poor while he was here on earth. He couldn’t have been spiritually poor, after living a blameless, holy life… After healing all manners of sickness and diseases. And even after raising the dead. No. The true interpretation is;

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was materially rich, yet for your sakes he became materially poor, that ye through his material poverty might be materially rich”.

The above interpretation is in perfect harmony with scriptural truth. We all know that the only poverty the Lord suffered while he was here on earth was material poverty. Especially not having where to lay his head. Hence, he suffered material poverty so we can enjoy material riches.

I agree divine prosperity and the prosperity doctrine has been abused and pushed to some extremes by many folks. But like I always say, doctrinal and other abuses or extremism is not only the vice of the prosperity doctrine. Other doctrines such as grace, deliverance, faith, sanctification, etc…

have also been abused and pushed to the extreme. But the panacea or antidote is not to entirely reject these true and wholesome scriptural doctrines.

Because doing so will amount to throwing the tares along with the wheat. And it will thus, create loopholes for the devil to take advantage of. Instead, we should study our bibles carefully and pray more fervently so we will be able to receive the right spiritual insight to be able to separate the shafts from the wheats.

So here we have it. Divine prosperity is for the present Church. Firstly, because it is a part of the New Covenant; and secondly, our Lord Jesus Christ, substituted his earthly material poverty for it.

Remain Blessed!

Emeke Odili.
I see in your profile that you are a preacher and a teacher.
Is your wealth at the expense of those you teach and preach to?
Are all the members of your congregation as rich as you are?
Or is the wealth just for you and a few?
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,780
2,940
113
Concerning what is eternal.

One of the scriptures you just quoted speaks of laying treasures in heaven. Do you think if I lay enough financial or material treasures in heaven from the earth now, that it won't be eternal?

Of course, you will agree with me that I need to have the treasures here on earth first, before laying them in heaven.

Otherwise, if I don't have any treasures on earth now, which one will I lay in heaven from here?
Ok, this really made me laugh! You keep talking about earthly treasures, trying to justify your erroneous doctrine. You twist various verses to fit your narrative, to mean "rich right here and now" ignoring the multitude of verses that show how wrong your false doctrine is.

But then you do an about face, when confronted with your nonsense, and make it to say that we have to make our "treasures" now, so we will have them in heaven. As in material treasures! Like heaven would need such filthy things!

I don't know how anyone could be more mixed up. Either you take the heinous position of Word Faith and make it about everyone gets riches now, or you have to admit you were wrong and the purpose of our "treasures" is to store them in heaven. Which is certainly NOT in the text, the chapter, or the purpose of the Sermon on the Mount. (This passage is part of that sermon - perhaps read it all!)

Context! Context! Context!

"19 “Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matt 6:19-21

So far, we have established this text is part of the Sermon on the Mount. Someone already posted Matt 5, but let's review the first part.

"When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. After he sat down his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to teach them by saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way." Matt 5:1-11

I'm not seeing one reference to being rich, physically. I am seeing how God helps those who are spiritually poor, are persecuted and are peacemakers. There's a good topic! Why not develop a doctrine about peacemaking? Oh right, you aren't sure how it would mesh with Old Testaments commands to occupy the land. Again, a study of covenants would help you there! (Thanks 7seas!)

Back to Matt 6.

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Matt 6:24

So, which are you despising, with your focus on money? Just curious! Oh wait, I guess God just drops the money on your lap? Because making a lot of money usually takes a lot of focus. And, before you come back at me about my poverty, again, I am quite comfortable in this life. We spent 20 years being dirt poor, but honoring God and putting him first. One day we turned around, and we had enough money for the rest of our lives. Oh, not for mansions, but a nice home, and cars, boats all paid for. Comfortable, as I said.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? 27 And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? 28 Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! 30 And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith? 31 So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own." Matt 6:25-34

This is following right after the verse you mentioned, plus the verse on not serving God and money. And what does it say?

That in fact, we are NOT to worry about our needs! God will provide for our needs, but nowhere does it say anything about riches or money. I guess Jesus already dealt with that in verse 24. Don't serve money, serve God. Why any preacher of the gospel would get pulled into this ridiculous heresy is beyond me.

Anyway, back to the final passage in Matt 6! It says the unconverted pursue food, drink and clothing. But, as Christians, what are we to pursue?

"But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matt 6:33.

What you are encouraging is they very opposite of this verse! We are not to focus at all on material things, although, in my case, anyway, we did become comfortable, partly because we focused on God and his righteousness.

First, aren't you a preacher in Africa? It no longer says in the profile, as it did on the old format. Whether I am right or not doesn't matter. The point is, this disgusting North American Word Faith or prosperity gospel exists, and it has been exported to places like Africa.

My former Greek professor does a lot of teaching in Africa. He said the local churches are being obliterated, as people flock to these new prosperity gospels, and then give and give when they have so little, and get nothing in return. Of course, the tide will turn. Or maybe all those converts to Christianity will walk away, when they realize these false teachers have fleeced them of what little they have, for a false gospel.

My advice to you, is to study hermeneutics. Every single post you have had on this thread, has bad hermeneutics. You start with your faulty supposition, (God wants me to be materially rich) and then pull bits and pieces out of Scripture, heedless of context or whether it actually applies to New Testament Christians and then cobble together a bad, unsound doctrine to prove your point.

I would challenge you to read the whole chapter of Matthew 6. Then read the whole Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is not promising riches. The only one promising that is false prosperity gospel preachers, like you. Much more to say, but this post is already too long!