"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many
foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 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 6:9-10
The Bible tells us that the LORD is "magnified" to bless
His people with "prosperity" by providing their "needs." (Ps. 35:27; Phil. 4:19)
Jesus also instructed us to pray for that which we "desire." (Mk. 11:24) As we
"delight" ourselves in the LORD He promised to grant the desires of our hearts
which will naturally align with His will as we are truly given over to and
delighting in Him (Ps. 37:4).
"Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that
favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be
magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant." Psalms
35:27
The word "prosperity" appears in this passage, and yet we must
consider the whole of Holy Scripture - the full-counsel of God's Word - to
define true "prosperity." Left to deprave leaders who are wolves wearing sheep's
clothing, this word "prosperity" has been given a definition foreign to what
Scripture defines. The enemy uses this misrepresentation as a tool to draw men
away to idolatry, lust, and greed and away from the purpose for which God made
them - to know and love Him and not allow anything to come between their worship
and complete trust in Him. "Evil workers" who "mind earthly things" and are
"enemies of the cross of Christ," now call us to worship at the altar of self -
to lust after and pursue the fleeting wealth of this world. Yet, this path leads
to the forfeiting of eternal treasures in Heaven (Phil. 3:1-3, 17-19). Those who
love this world and the things in it are enemies of God and will not inherit
eternal life (James 4:4; 1 Jn. 2:15-17).
"But my God shall supply all
your NEED according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:19) The
believers at Philippi were givers. They gave until it hurt and these believers
are specifically to whom this promise is given. Note carefully the word "needs."
This would include food, clothing, and perhaps shelter (Matt.
6:24-35).
Though Jesus didn't come to die to make His people lavishly
wealthy in this life, it should be kept in mind that there are perhaps those who
are especially gifted by God to be givers and to do extensive funding of kingdom
works/ministries (Rom. 12:8).
What New Testament apostle was rich in this
world? Can you name even one? The New Testament records reveal not one hint of
any leader who was lavishly rich in material goods in his earthly life. The
apostle Peter declared "Silver and gold have I none." (Acts 3:6)
In His
earthly life, did the Son of God choose to be rich with material goods? No!
Biblically, how can we justify seeking to be rich in this fleeting world. Doing
such is rebellion and will cause the saint to forfeit eternal blessings - then,
in the afterlife of Heaven (Prov. 23:4; Matt. 6:19-20; 1 Tim.
6:6-11).
The Word informs us that "The earth is the LORD'S, and the
fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." (Ps. 24:1) He who
made all things owns the "cattle upon a thousand hills." - "For every beast of
the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills." (Ps. 50:10) Do you
like barbequed "beast"? God owns them all and He will provide them for His
own!
Though the LORD does take care of all of those that are His and
blesses them, Christ was not emphasizing the possession of an abundance of
material goods when He said He would give His own life for us and gives us life
"more abundantly." (Jn. 10:10) In another place He commanded His people to "Take
no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for
your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body
than raiment?" (Matt. 6:25) When Christ spoke of giving His beloved people life
"more abundantly", He was speaking of the spiritual life they would receive as
they followed Him, the "Great Shepherd of the sheep." (Jn. 10:1-21; Eph. 1:3;
Heb. 13:20)
John 10:10 is a verse commonly siphoned out of its context
and misused by word of faith teachers. In John 10:10 the Son of God was speaking
of knowing Him and His Father, being one of His sheep, hearing His voice, and
following Him (see John 10). He made us to know and commune with Him (Gen. 1-3;
Exod. 25:8; Jn. 17:3; Phil. 3:10). This is why we were created and redeemed and
this is the only thing we have to glory in (Jer. 9:23-24; Jn. 17:3). That's what
true riches are about - knowing and following Christ. We have no riches outside
of what we have in Christ the LORD who is our "exceeding great reward." (Gen.
15:1). While on earth, at times Jesus had no place to lay His head (Matt. 8:20).
The Son of God told us "My kingdom is not of this world." (Jn. 18:36)
We
need nothing more in this late hour than to draw nigh (close) to the LORD and He
promises to then draw nigh to us (James 4:8).
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