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Gideon300

Gideon300

Ancient Mariner
Mar 18, 2021
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Frankston, Victoria
christianlife.au
Giving is a subject fraught with suspicion and misunderstanding. We, and I mean me as well, have grave doubts about ministries that always have their hands out for more. I have experiences with prosperity preachers, none of it good. The prosperity gospel appeals to the basic desire in the human heart to have more.

Yet giving also has many benefits:
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"Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will produce thanksgiving to God. For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God."

"Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others. And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:10-15)

Can God trust you with money? Are you inclined to give or to hoard? I used to save for a rainy day. The "rain" never seemed to stop. Eventually, God changed my heart and I am free to give. We are not rich and we seek to give wisely. But also have been blessed and we have been able to help people in need. And somehow, God replenishes us financially.

Perhaps the greatest aspect of giving is the glory that God receives. When someone in need gets help, they are thankful to God and their faith is built up. It helps to remember that the brethren do not live in isolation. We are members of the body of Christ. If one suffers, so do we all.
 
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"Giving is a subject fraught with suspicion and misunderstanding. We, and I mean me as well, have grave doubts about ministries that always have their hands out for more. I have experiences with prosperity preachers, none of it good. The prosperity gospel appeals to the basic desire in the human heart to have more."

Not my first thought and I don't have doubts. As Word of Faith preachers have said for years.. there is no such thing as prosperity gospel in the word of GOD. So seems "Christians" that keep using those words do it to hurt them to make fun of them. Thought I do not always agree with them ...yet they will show you in Gods word why they believe in prosperity which is in GODs word.

So when I give.. its to GOD not any man/woman up there.
 
Blade said:
"Giving is a subject fraught with suspicion and misunderstanding. We, and I mean me as well, have grave doubts about ministries that always have their hands out for more. I have experiences with prosperity preachers, none of it good. The prosperity gospel appeals to the basic desire in the human heart to have more."

Not my first thought and I don't have doubts. As Word of Faith preachers have said for years.. there is no such thing as prosperity gospel in the word of GOD. So seems "Christians" that keep using those words do it to hurt them to make fun of them. Thought I do not always agree with them ...yet they will show you in Gods word why they believe in prosperity which is in GODs word.

So when I give.. its to GOD not any man/woman up there.
Click to expand...
I've been to a Copeland meeting and I was a supporter for a time. A mistake. The term "prosperity gospel" does not appear in God's word, I agree. And neither does the idea that every believer should be wealthy. Paul learned the secret of contentment, rich or poor.

I'll tell you what I've never heard from the likes of Copeland and Du Plantis:

"Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction." (1 Timothy 6:9)

"......but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful." Mark 4:19

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

"He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile." Ecclesiastes 5:10

I've never been better off than I am now. I've been through times where I could not pay my bills. God brought me through, without me funneling what little I had to already mega rich preachers.
 
Prosperity teaching or health and wealth teaching is often presented using verses that were intended for the nation of Israel. Taking verses out of context is irresponsible and those who do so (regardless if intentional) can harm those they attempt to instruct.
 
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God promises you prosperity, only his definition isn't yours.

Lacking nothing means lacking nothing.
 
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