The silver and gold here on earth
Some religious folks think that God doesn't have anything good for us here on earth, but that's not what the Bible tells us. God wants to bless us right here on earth, and then in heaven too!
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed [rewarded] in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. Proverbs 11:31
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is
no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or
children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold [abundantly] more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. Luke 18:29-30
God's Word even talks about His people taking over and enjoying the WEALTH of the gentiles!
But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. Isaiah 61:6
Here again in Proverbs, we find the same thing - the wealth is laid up, or just waiting for the righteous to inherit it!
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Proverbs 13:22
Jesus' poverty to our benefit!
We all know that the forgiveness of our sins is included in the work that Christ has done for us, and you probably already know that healing and deliverance are also benefits that God has purchased for us. But did you know that Jesus also redeemed us from the financial curse that Adam brought upon himself? The Bible tells us that Christ redeemed us from the CURSE of the law.
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. Galatians 3:13
In Deuteronomy 28, we find that financial abundance is considered a blessing, and financial lack is considered a CURSE!
Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt
thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the
fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy
kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy
store.... The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to
give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of
thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. Deuteronomy 28:3-5,12
Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou
be in the field. Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store. Cursed shall
be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of
thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.... The stranger that is within
thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very
low. He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be
the head, and thou shalt be the tail. Deuteronomy 28:16-18,43-44
Now let's get to the point: as Jesus redeemed us from the CURSE of the law, He also redeemed us from financial LACK. Does the Bible stop there? No, it actually comes right out and tells us that Jesus was made poor and lived a life of poverty, so that we could be RICH!
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. 2 Corinthians 8:9
"To be (or become) wealthy (literally or figuratively): - be increased with goods, (be made, wax) rich."
To further prove my point, if you look up the word "poor" in the above verse, it refers to a BEGGER! Jesus became a poor begger, so that we could become wealthy and increase in goods. We can reason that away all we want, but if you want a literal interpretation of God's Word, that's what it tells us!
I think it's also interesting that over half the chapter of 2 Corinthians 8 speaks of financial giving, and verse 9 is right in context with finances.
I don't know about you, but I LOVE the prosperity gospel (when it is Biblically based), just like I LOVE health and healing, and I LOVE deliverance and freedom. I LOVE to receive the good things that my Savoir has so lovingly purchased for me!
How to be blessed
Now your question is, how do I enter into these blessings? While I won't go into all the details, I do want to leave you with a basic education on some Biblical principals that lead to financial blessing. The first key is to realize that it is the blessing of the Lord, not money, that makes us rich.
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?
or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after
all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father
knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:31-33
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that
getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the
merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more
precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be
compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Proverbs 3:13-16
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD,
that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty
upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. Psalms 112:1-3
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,
pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into
your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be
measured to you again. Luke 6:38
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap
also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also
bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove
me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the
windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be
room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your
sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall
your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD
of hosts. Malachi 3:10-11
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the
firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with
plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10
He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he
that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. He that trusteth
in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be
delivered. He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. Proverbs 28:25-27
Another key is through honoring God's ministers through our tithes. When we honor God's messengers, we honor God, and He will in turn honor us. In one teaching I remember telling how God takes it personally how His children are treated and His ministers are no exception. We are told to give double honor unto those who labor well, especially in Word and doctrine, and not to muzzle the ox that is laboring because they are worthy of their reward.
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of
double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For
the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the
corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 1 Timothy 5:17-18
Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Galatians 6:6
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. Isaiah 1:19
But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in his
Law doeth he meditate day and night. And he shalbe like a tree planted
by the riuers of water, that bringeth foorth his fruit in his season,
his leafe also shall not wither, and whatsoeuer he doeth, shall prosper. Psalms 1:2-3
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom
tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom
honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that
loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Romans 13:7-8
And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:4
The Duggar family is another amazing testimony of God's provision with this concept. I know that both Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, who are very much Bible believing ministers have applied this principal in their own lives and have seen some amazing supernatural provisions from God's hand in their lives. So with those few stories, I tend to believe that there's something very special in store for those who purpose to get out of debt and do their best to stay out of debt!
One day I felt like the Holy Spirit spoke to me about the "owe no man anything" concept, and as I thought about all these Christians being in debt, I felt this bubble up in my spirit, "What do you think that does for my reputation?" You know, it just makes sense, God Almighty, being our provider, carries a terrible reputation when His people are always in debt to others.
God's Word tells us that those who borrow are a servant to their lender, and those who lend are ruler over those who are borrowers:
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. Proverbs 22:7
And it shall be, as with the people, so with the
priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so
with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the
lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the
giver of usury to him. Isaiah 24:2
For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised
thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow;
and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over
thee. Deuteronomy 15:6
Righteousness or prosperity?
I have read this passage in Psalms many times, and always associated righteousness with holiness:
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalms 23:3
But I felt the Lord leading me to do a little bit of research on the Hebrew root word behind 'righteousness' in this passage. What did I find?
"From H6663; the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity: - X even, (X that which is altogether) just (-ice), ([un-]) right (-eous) (cause, -ly, -ness)."
Apparently, that word can mean more than holiness, but also prosperity. Now that makes more sense the way that the passage was worded. He forgives our sins for His sake, and He also causes us to walk in paths of prosperity for His sake as well. God's Word tells us that He takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant (see Psalms 35:27), so this should come to no surprise to us. This is just the nature of our God!
Now let's look at the context of this passage in Psalms 23. In verse 1 we read "I shall not want", while verse 2 speaks of green or lush pastures, then in verse 5 we read about how "out cup runneth over." Is this speaking of holiness, or prosperity? I think it's talking about prosperity!
To help add weight to this interpretation, the Lord also turned my attention to Psalms 112, where it speaks of financial prosperity that He desires that we walk in:
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the
LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be
mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness [or
prosperity?] endureth for ever. Psalms 112:1-3
The love of money is evil!
For the love of money is the root of all evil:
which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and
pierced themselves through with many sorrows.1 Timothy 6:10
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean
person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in
the kingdom of Christ and of God. Ephesians 5:5
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,
boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady,
highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. 2 Timothy 3:2-4
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if
any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an
idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an
one no not to eat.1 Corinthians 5:11
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is
certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be
therewith content. But they that will be rich [meaning, those who desire
to be rich] fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and
hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.1 Timothy 6:7-9
And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of
riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and
it becometh unfruitful. Mark 4:19
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where
moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For
where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.Matthew 6:19-21
In 1 Timothy, we are given the secret to keep ourselves from falling into these terrible snares; be thankful for what you have!
But godliness with contentment is great gain.1 Timothy 6:6
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?
or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after
all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father
knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:31-33
Matthew 6:31-33
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.Proverbs 10:22
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD,
that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty
upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.Psalms 112:1-3
Satan seeks to hinder the church!
Toiling the earth for a living was a result of the CURSE of sin. It was not a blessing or something God intended Adam and Eve to experience. God's heart was that Adam would not even have to work, but live a life of fellowship with Him, having his every need provided for.Poor people are unable to financially support ministries and missions, where lives are impacted and changed for the sake of the kingdom. Poor ministers cannot afford expensive tickets to go on mission trips and preach the gospel to those in other countries. Poor churches cannot do much in terms of outreach ministries, because everything in this world costs money. Poor church members make for poor churches. Do you see why it is important for God's people to have an abundance? So that they can be a blessing to the world around them, and sow into the kingdom to further the message of Christ and impact the lives of people around the world! We are told to go into all the world and share the gospel, but how is that going to happen if we're slaving just to put food on our own tables, say nothing about buying a $2,000 plane ticket to visit Africa and share the good news with precious souls over there? And $2,000 is just the plane ticket, say nothing about all the other expenses involved. I'm telling you, God's people are hindered for lack of money! If Satan can keep the church poor, then the church won't be able to do all that God has called them to do. Poor people are unable to help others who are in financial need, they are unable to afford the travel costs and such of delivering the gospel to other countries, and the list goes on. The Bible speaks of God's people giving generously, but that is just not possible when they don't have enough themselves.
My partner Jay Bartlett has ministered not too long ago to somebody in a poor area, and the demon in that person came right out and boasted about how it's intention was to keep the people in poverty in that city or area. This ought to come as no surprise to us because Jesus had made it clear that it is the enemy who came to steal, kill, and destroy. Might I add that Satan came to render the church ineffective and unable to reach and impact lives for the kingdom?
Some closing thoughts
It's a false humility that stands behind this whole idea of God calling His church to be poor. False humility, not faith in God's Word, is nothing more than dead religion and spiritual pride. You can drive a rust bucket and be proud of it ("hey folks, look at me, I'm giving up everything to serve Jesus!") or you can drive a spanking new Cadillac and be humble and thankful in your heart for what God has blessed you with.I make such a strong point of how God wants to prosper us, but I also want to clearly define true prosperity gospel before I close. Yes, God does want to prosper us, but He also doesn't want us to covet (longing to have the things of this world) or seeking God so that we can be rich.
True prosperity gospel is not about being rich, but seeking first the kingdom of God, and then experiencing the favor and blessings of the Lord. God's Word tells us that the blessing of the Lord makes us rich, and adds no sorrow to it (see Proverbs 10:22). The whole idea is to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then receive the blessings of God that He wants to bestow upon us.
http://www.greatbiblestudy.com/prosperity_gospel_biblical3.php
http://billyburke.org/PrayerMinistryRoom/JourneyofYourPrayerRequest/tabid/142/Default.aspx
Free Christian Ebooks http://walthope.tripod.com
http://walthope.wordpress.com
https://plus.google.com/u/0/100302133262254344211/posts
COMPLETE DELIVERANCE http://goo.gl/EYySIi
ALL IS YOURS http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-2Az
GOD’S WILL IS PROSPERITY http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-2Av
PROSPERITY 1,2 http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-2FI
PROSPERITY 3,4 http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-2FN
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