Anti-prosperity, Anti-proverty????

I am not anti-proverty nor anti-prosperity but anti-selfish temptations to get wealthy by using God. I came from a wealthy family. I may not be rich like my parents, but I do make good money (25 years with the same place and have a great retirement package). I have GREAT benefits such as health, dental and vision insurance. I have learned to steward my money by saving additional money into another retirement fund. Regarding economic systems around the world. I have studied economics and I am an accountant by profession. Without money and capitalism personal computers would not here, Medical Technologies would not advance, automobile would not advance, most technologies would not advance, technologies & devices for the disable would not be here, and I can go on and on. I don't know if we can call this a blessing or thankful that it is a system that benefits everyone even though some will still live in poverty. In this country, people have equal opportunity to be successful but not everyone would be successful. Just as everyone have the equal opportunity to excel in sports and make millions but only 2% of the population have the talent and gifts to play. Quotes by: Benjamin Franklin “The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.” “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” “How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them” Wealth is permissionable as long as we gain wealth with honesty and without cheating and stealing. Throughout the Old Testament, there were lists of people who were wealthy and in fact the Book of Proverbs wrote who we use our wealth. We are to work hard for our wealth (Proverbs 10:4 Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.) , live in a simple life and share your wealth with those who are living in poverty. Government is not the problem. Its PEOPLE. Earn your money, pay all you owe, live in a simple life without getting too materlistic and share your wealth with those who are in need. I have said in the past:

Spiritually, true prosperity is not measured in dollars and cents, rather it is measured by progressing in the things that I am doing according to God's will. Everything belongs to God, who calls the Church (Christians) to live in faithful stewardship of all that God has entrusted to us. Spiritual stewardship is looking at my financial situation and to look at my life spiritually in from God's perspectives. My spiritual life of a Christian should be focusing on God and His purpose for me individually where He have put me. Jesus warned about greed (see Luke 12). Wealth that is earned for personal growth rather than spiritual growth is not being used to fulfill God’s purpose. God is the one who gave me the ability to make a good living and have a great job. The word steward means: manager, custodian, caretaker, administrator, or trustee of God's properties. The steward is the person that effectively and efficiently uses the money and resources that God has given to as Christian duty.

How do you manage the money that you receive from our paycheck or earn an income from personal business. God's main goal is for us to earn enough to live by. Money is used to meet our daily needs such as food, utility bills and other expenses. God would meet all of our needs (Matthew 6), however God will not meet our selfish desires. There is nothing wrong with having a desire for something as long as our motives are correct. It is important that we look from God's perspective in our stewardship so that we are not pursuing desires against God's will and purpose. Because if we are pursuiing our selfish desires rather than God's will and purpose, then our motives are wrong. Christians' view of money and material possessions is an effective barometer of our spirituality. As Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21). In Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." (NLT) In Proverbs 21:2, "People may think they are doing what is right, but the Lord examines the heart." (NLT) If we are seeking God for our own selfishness (self-interest) other than our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ is a form of idolatry. We all need to guard ourselves and be on the watch for any that takes away our true worship that belongs only to God. 1 Samuel 2:7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. Proverbs 10:4 Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. Proverbs 13:7 One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. Proverbs 22:4 Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life. Proverbs 28:8 He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. Free market capitalism produces long-term economic growth. Socialism by the state produce poverty and bureaucracy. If your goal is to keep poor people poor, generation after generation, you should promote socialism. Economic's chief purpose is to discover and refine just and loving means of creating, distributing, and consuming wealth to overcome poverty and to increase the material and spiritual prosperity of people. In a sin-filled world, economics—like all other activities of life in this world, cannot be perfect. 2 Timothy 2:6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. In the Old Testament, Joseph was a man of economic because he knew there will be bad days down the road and that Egypt must reserve wealth and food for the people. Economic is stewardship. Economic is a system rather than beliefs. All produce, commodities, and money are to follow just weights and measures as described in the Bible: Lev. 19:35-36; Ezek. 45:10-14. A just weight and balance are of God's work. Prov. 16:11 Those who use unjust and deceitful weights are wicked. Mic. 6:10-11 You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a heavy and light. You shall not have in your house differing measures, large and a small. You shall have a perfect and just weight and measure. Deut. 25:13-15. A false balance and diverse weights and measures are an abomination to the LORD; but a just weight is His delight. Prov. 11:1; Prov. 20:10, 23. So therefore, Ecclesiastes 5:10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Stewardship means when you are wealthy, do not love your wealth but use your wealth as God wanted you. Proverbs 22:9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. Romans 12:13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Ephesians 4:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.