prosperity

Are Believers Supposed To Be Prosperous? – Part 3

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Last week we looked at the two phases of the kingdom of God and problems with the prosperity gospel. One of the common elements of the prosperity message is the claim that God will bless us financially because of generous giving. Scripture does clearly teach that God will give us some blessing for our generosity. For example, we have the promise in 2 Corinthians 9:6: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (ESV). (See also Jesus’ words at Matthew 6:3-4.) But what type of blessings will God give? Paul makes his thinking on this clear in his letter to the Galatians. He teaches that when believers contribute financially to their ministers their reward is spiritual: Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

We Shall Inherit The Earth – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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But the meek shall inherit the landand delight themselves in abundant peace. Psalms 37:11 (ESV) Earlier in this Psalm the psalmist was encouraging readers not to fret over wrongdoers because they “will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb” (v. 2). Instead, if we are patient God will bless the righteous. It is not the violent or selfish who will eventually be in charge of the land but rather the meek, those who “trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness” (v. 3). This reminds us of Jesus’ words “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:4, ESV). He was saying that when God’s kingdom is fulfilled that the peaceful ones who followed God will rule over the earth; this is the promise of the kingdom of God. In other words, the words of this Psalm Continue Reading →

prosperity

Are Believers Supposed To Be Prosperous – Part 2

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Last week we looked at the contrast between Old Testament and New Testament teaching on prosperity for believers. We saw that there is no promise for prosperity for believers under the new covenant. You might be wondering why there is such a contrast between the old and new covenant in relation to material things. The answer lies in the two-phase nature of the kingdom of God. We are in phase one of the arrival of the kingdom of God, the time of the “already/not yet” or the time of “sowing and growing”. In phase two of the arrival we will have all the material blessings of the new Garden of Eden. We are material beings and God wants us to live richly in his new earth. But in phase one we embrace the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings (Phil. 3:10), we take up our Cross (Matt. 16:24), we live outside the Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

God Will Reveal Your Good Deeds – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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He will bring forth your righteousness as the lightAnd your judgment as the noonday. Psalms 37:6 (NASB) Our faithfulness to God and his way of virtue often goes unrewarded. At work we may swim against the current and choose honesty and integrity. We might go out of our way to do something extra for someone or help them in their work. But if our fellow workers are not followers of God we might be ignored or even pushed out to the margins. In general, our righteous actions may not be recognized because of the selfishness, resentment or suspicion of others. Humans are naturally self-centered so we need to accept this with grace. But God promises that one day, probably not until the next age, the truth about us will be revealed. The true judgment of our life will brightly shine for all to see. Then we have the satisfaction of Continue Reading →

prosperity

Are Believers Supposed To Be Prosperous? – Part 1

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Today there is much confusion about the relationship that believers should have to prosperity and wealth. In the Old Testament God promised material prosperity to his faithful followers. When he was bringing them to the promised land he promised prosperity if they followed his law. 12 “And because you listen to these rules and keep and do them, the Lord your God will keep with you the covenant and the steadfast love that he swore to your fathers. 13 He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you. 14 You shall be blessed above all peoples. Deuteronomy 7:12-14 (ESV) In Psalm 81:13, 16 God Continue Reading →