Current Time Magazines' Issue on......
Prosperity Teachings Does God Want You To Be Rich?
I am not anti-prosperity but anti-selfish temptations to get wealthy by using God. I am having a MAJOR problem with those who are teaching prosperity (mostly Word of Faith teachers). People around the world (mostly unbelievers) view TV Preachers as greedy preachers and that is NOT a good example of Christianity. They are using Christianity to gain wealth and take advantage of those who are looking for answers.
A Christian who witness to others must have a good reputation, especially to the outsiders who are watching. 1 Timothy 3:7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. Evangelism requires courtesy from a believer and be Christ-like. Many have accepted Christ by watching Christians more than talking. Those who are using Christianity to get rich are just not right. Watching, listening or reading the words of a person boasting their wealth tells me alot about a person more than their money. Integrity is a major problem for me. My dictionary defines integrity as 'consistency and sincerity, with no deception or pretense'. Integrity's overriding quality is wholeness. A spiritual leader ought to be humble, self-effacing, self-sacrificing, modest, clean living, free from the love of money, eager to promote the honor of God and just as eager to disclaim any credit or praise on self-promotion that inspection, ethical standards will be high and personal life is above reproach. Reproach: an expression of rebuke or disapproval; the act or action of reproaching or disapproving ; a cause or occasion of blame, discredit, or disgrace; to express disappointment in or displeasure with (a person) for conduct that is blameworthy.
Teachers are to have good reputation. In the book of Titus, the requirements are: Show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose they may be ashamed because those have nothing bad to say about them. That teachers are to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. In 2 Corinthians 7:2 says that we "make room for others in our hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one." This is where "accountability" comes in. In 1 Timothy 3:1-3: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
Colossians 4:5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 1 Thessalonians 4:12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders.
Pastors (teachers) are to "set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). One example is excessive longing for wealth and gaining money to live in luxury. We are not to covet with Faith. Jesus gave us wonderful examples and one of His great example is "By THEIR FRUITS you shall know them" Christians are too look at the WHOLE package of a Christian. Do not have a tunnel vision" based on their teachings alone. You need to look at their whole being. By THEIR fruits, you shall know them.
Titus 1:11 (NLT) They must be silenced. By their wrong teaching, they have already turned whole families away from the truth. Such teachers only want your money.
2 Peter 2:3 (NLT) In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction is on the way.
Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters. 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 both God and Money.
Luke 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters. 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 both God and Money."
The Bible does not forbid the possession of wealth & being prosperous. If I have multiple cars, boats, acres of land, houses, all kinds of investments and other possessions, it takes a lot of time to make sure everything is secure and well taken care of. No time is left for God. Are possessions first in my life or God? Does the possessions OWN me? Do my possessions control my life?
Your view of money and material possessions is an effective barometer of your spirituality. Wealth is neither good nor bad in itself. What we do with our money God gives us is a reflection of your thinking.
Quotes:
Pride meets covetousness, and compliments it as wise, thrifty, and prudent. Unknown
Jesus reserved his hardest words for the hidden sins of hypocrisy, pride, greed and legalism." Philip Yancey
A.W. Tozer’s Beatitudes
Instead of poverty of spirit we find the rankest kind of pride;
instead of mourners we find pleasure seekers;
instead of meekness, arrogance;
instead of hunger after righteousness we hear men saying, `I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing';
instead of mercy we find cruelty;
instead of purity of heart, corrupt imaginings;
instead of peacemakers we find men quarrelsome and resentful;
instead of rejoicing in mistreatment we find them fighting back with every weapon at their command. Of this kind of moral stuff civilized society is composed.
We can stand affliction better than we can prosperity, for in prosperity we forget God. D.L. Moody
A Christian and Money
Get to know two things about a man-
How he earns his money and how he spends it-
and you have the clue to his character, for you have a search light that shows up the inmost recesses of his soul. You know all you need to know about his standards, his motives, his driving desires, and his real religion. Robert J. McCracken
Is the modern day church growth movement biblical or unbiblical in its beliefs and practices?
James 5:1 (The Message): [ Destroying Your Life from Within ] And a final word to you arrogant rich: Take some lessons in lament. You'll need buckets for the tears when the crash comes upon you. Your money is corrupt and your fine clothes stink. Your greedy luxuries are a cancer in your gut, destroying your life from within. You thought you were piling up wealth. What you've piled up is judgment.
posted by Jim | 7:48 PM
