Many Christians hold the belief that God wants them to prosper. The Bible does mention prosperity, and even promises it. In the Old Testament, Abraham and Joseph were promised prosperity.The Jews were promised blessings for obedience in Deuteronomy 28. In the book of Joshua, the promise of prosperity is granted to those who meditate on the Book of Law day and night. Proverbs 28 in verse 25 says that those who trust the Lord will prosper. In Luke chapter 6 there is a favourite verse of many preachers that speaks of how through giving, you will get a much greater return.1 Tim 3:3, 2 Peter 2 14-22, Jude 1:11-15
God sometimes wants us to have thing that we need and more, so that we can bless other, like Cornelius the Roman centurion, Abraham he son Issac or his grand son Jacob, or Joseph in Egypt. The message that some ministries have portrayed seems to go beyond the Biblical perspective of prosperous living. Sometimes God also give us just enough so that we don't get lifted up, to help us to look to him and trust him by by faith more, to help us not to be wasteful, that we might condescend to men of low estate, also to help teach us not to be proud, heady or scornful. Has the heaven's are higher than the earth so are God's way's higher than ours. God can teach through many ways.
.
Proverb 30: 7-9
Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed with food convenient for me . Lest I be full and deny thee and say, who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal and take the name of the God in vain.
To prosper, by definition means to achieve economic success or well-being, and enjoying vigorous and healthy growth. There is nothing wrong with that, and I believe that some times God wants us to prosper so that help can flourish through the body of Chris, but some times God also allows hardship and difficulties as a trial of our faith and to help us to grow in grace maturity, knowledge wisdom experience and humility. I see evidence, however that many church goers and leaders have moved beyond managing and need into extravagance. Extravagance, by definition means exceeding the limits of reason or necessity or the lacking of moderation, balance and restraint. The Bible does not say that we should be extravagant, but that we should prosper even as our soul prospers (3 John 1:2) Psalms 49:16-20
Hardship and trials
Phil 4:12-13, Luke 16:19-31
There are many examples in scripture of people who fell into hardship and were not in sin. There was the prophets widow in the time of Elisha. 2 kings 4:1-7,The poor man Lazarus spoken of by Jesus in Luke 16:19-31 .Then there was Jesus though he was rich yet he became poor for our sakes. Born in a manger not a mansion, rode on a donkey through Jerusalem not a stallion or chariot, did not't have a caravan carried by slaves, The king of Heaven and earth had a crown of thorns for his honour on earth not a palace or rubies and diamond encrusted gold crown. Jesus even said to one man who wanted to follow him fowl's of the air have nest and foxes have hole's but the son of man have no where to lay his head. 2 Corinthian 8:9
Job 1
Job was a was rich man but God still allowed Satan to test his faith and remove all of his riches. Every thing he had including his children, and to make things worse even his wife tells him to curse God and die.
1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. 2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. 3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. 4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about , that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said , It may be that my sons have sinned , and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. 6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said , From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said , Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. 13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said , The oxen were plowing , and the asses feeding beside them: 15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away ; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 16 While he was yet speaking , there came also another, and said , The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 17 While he was yet speaking , there came also another, and said , The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away , yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 18 While he was yet speaking , there came also another, and said , Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead ; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 20 Then Job arose , and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped , 21 And said , Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave , and the LORD hath taken away ; blessed be the name of the LORD. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Job 31:24-25,
Job 42:10-17 (After God allowed Job to be tried He finally brought his trails to an end:)
And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. 12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. 13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch. 15 And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. 16 After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. 17 So Job died , being old and full of days.
Apostle Peter And John note how Peter and John said ''silver and gold have I none'' so they were not millionaires they were to busy laying down there lives, so that unsaved Jews and gentiles could be made rich through the preaching of the gospel. Not feeding themselves fat at the expense of dying soul's and the Church ministry.
Act 3:1-12
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried , whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said , Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6 Then Peter said , Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk . 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up : and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength . 8 And he leaping up stood , and walked , and entered with them into the temple, walking , and leaping , and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. 11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. 12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk ?
Part of the Apostles Paul suffering and self denial from his former position in Jewish religious life is a example to all minister or would be preachers
Philippians 3 Here Paul recounts his former statues before he became saved. Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law , blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained , either were already perfect : but I follow after , if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended : but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded : and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded , God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained , let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk , of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping , that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Note how Paul say's be follows of him which is recorded in the bible not lovers of money and executive, Directors status.
Apostle Paul Sufferings for the Gospel notice no mansions, no chariots, no out houses, no swimming pools, large hanging gardens, no orchards and no Hundreds of slaves waiting on him.
God sometimes wants us to have thing that we need and more, so that we can bless other, like Cornelius the Roman centurion, Abraham he son Issac or his grand son Jacob, or Joseph in Egypt. The message that some ministries have portrayed seems to go beyond the Biblical perspective of prosperous living. Sometimes God also give us just enough so that we don't get lifted up, to help us to look to him and trust him by by faith more, to help us not to be wasteful, that we might condescend to men of low estate, also to help teach us not to be proud, heady or scornful. Has the heaven's are higher than the earth so are God's way's higher than ours. God can teach through many ways.
.
Proverb 30: 7-9
Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed with food convenient for me . Lest I be full and deny thee and say, who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal and take the name of the God in vain.
To prosper, by definition means to achieve economic success or well-being, and enjoying vigorous and healthy growth. There is nothing wrong with that, and I believe that some times God wants us to prosper so that help can flourish through the body of Chris, but some times God also allows hardship and difficulties as a trial of our faith and to help us to grow in grace maturity, knowledge wisdom experience and humility. I see evidence, however that many church goers and leaders have moved beyond managing and need into extravagance. Extravagance, by definition means exceeding the limits of reason or necessity or the lacking of moderation, balance and restraint. The Bible does not say that we should be extravagant, but that we should prosper even as our soul prospers (3 John 1:2) Psalms 49:16-20
Hardship and trials
Phil 4:12-13, Luke 16:19-31
There are many examples in scripture of people who fell into hardship and were not in sin. There was the prophets widow in the time of Elisha. 2 kings 4:1-7,The poor man Lazarus spoken of by Jesus in Luke 16:19-31 .Then there was Jesus though he was rich yet he became poor for our sakes. Born in a manger not a mansion, rode on a donkey through Jerusalem not a stallion or chariot, did not't have a caravan carried by slaves, The king of Heaven and earth had a crown of thorns for his honour on earth not a palace or rubies and diamond encrusted gold crown. Jesus even said to one man who wanted to follow him fowl's of the air have nest and foxes have hole's but the son of man have no where to lay his head. 2 Corinthian 8:9
Job 1
Job was a was rich man but God still allowed Satan to test his faith and remove all of his riches. Every thing he had including his children, and to make things worse even his wife tells him to curse God and die.
1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. 2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. 3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. 4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about , that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said , It may be that my sons have sinned , and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. 6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said , From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said , Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. 13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said , The oxen were plowing , and the asses feeding beside them: 15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away ; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 16 While he was yet speaking , there came also another, and said , The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 17 While he was yet speaking , there came also another, and said , The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away , yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 18 While he was yet speaking , there came also another, and said , Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead ; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 20 Then Job arose , and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped , 21 And said , Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave , and the LORD hath taken away ; blessed be the name of the LORD. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Job 31:24-25,
Job 42:10-17 (After God allowed Job to be tried He finally brought his trails to an end:)
And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. 12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. 13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch. 15 And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. 16 After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. 17 So Job died , being old and full of days.
Apostle Peter And John note how Peter and John said ''silver and gold have I none'' so they were not millionaires they were to busy laying down there lives, so that unsaved Jews and gentiles could be made rich through the preaching of the gospel. Not feeding themselves fat at the expense of dying soul's and the Church ministry.
Act 3:1-12
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried , whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said , Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6 Then Peter said , Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk . 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up : and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength . 8 And he leaping up stood , and walked , and entered with them into the temple, walking , and leaping , and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. 11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. 12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk ?
Part of the Apostles Paul suffering and self denial from his former position in Jewish religious life is a example to all minister or would be preachers
Philippians 3 Here Paul recounts his former statues before he became saved. Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law , blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained , either were already perfect : but I follow after , if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended : but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded : and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded , God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained , let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk , of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping , that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Note how Paul say's be follows of him which is recorded in the bible not lovers of money and executive, Directors status.
Apostle Paul Sufferings for the Gospel notice no mansions, no chariots, no out houses, no swimming pools, large hanging gardens, no orchards and no Hundreds of slaves waiting on him.
2 Cor 11:14-33
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.(who are Satan's Minister's prosperity Gospel preachers who make them self rich off the back of the sheep of Christ when the money is so badly needed for the work of the ministry the needed in church and to reach out to the unsaved) 16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. 17 That which I speak , I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly , in this confidence of boasting. 18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. 19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. 20 For ye suffer , if a man bring you into bondage , if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself , if a man smite you on the face. 21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak . Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold , (I speak foolishly ,) I am bold also. 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool ) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods , once was I stoned , thrice I suffered shipwreck , a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily , the care of all the churches. 29 Who is weak , and I am not weak ? who is offended , and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory , I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. 32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison , desirous to apprehend me: 33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands. Now this is a real Good example for Ministers to follow
Jesus
Isaiah 53, Isa 53:3.He is despised and rejected of men ;(a poor man is not some one people like Proverbs the rich have many friends) a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (He made himself poor that we might become rich) Proverb 14:20
Recently, there was a major investigation of a list of mega-church leaders and their finances. This was due to complaints submitted about multi-million dollar purchases of homes and private jets, tens of thousands of dollars spent on a table and a toilet, and lavish automobiles. I will not get into the details of who was involved or what their responses were. I am sure that you can find out about it, if you haven't heard it already, and you can search for the mega-church investigation with obvious relevant results. The point that I want to make is that there is a corruption in the popularised prosperity message, and it is not good.1 Tim 6:5-9
In the book of Acts, chapter 4, the believers shared their belongings and money. They gave to each other so that none of them lacked what they needed. They had 'all things in common.' Many people sold their possessions to give to the apostles, not so that the Apostles could purchase huge properties or buy the most expensive caravan to preach the gospel to distant lands. They distributed the goods to all that had a need so no one in the community would suffer poverty and lack. That is truly what prosperity was meant for.
We as Christian believers should use our excess to help those in need. As long as there are people who are in need within our reach in church, we should not be wasteful and extravagant in our lifestyle. I am not saying that there is something wrong with living comfortably, but in my opinion, and based on what I see in the book of Acts, there is no justification for 20 million dollar jets and a 23 thousand dollar toilet. That is extravagant by definition, not Biblical prosperity. I am sure that God wants us to respect our church buildings and spend the necessary amount of money to see that the building is nice, and he wants us to live comfortably. Even so, I also believe that no matter how much giving these ministries do, until the entire world is fed, out of poverty and properly sheltered, there is no excuse to say 'that is enough giving to them, let's splurge on us...after all, it is for the ministry.'
What saddens me is that many people tithe and give to these ministries thinking that they will achieve lavish lifestyles as a result of their giving. The message easily becomes 'give and you will get something back', rather than 'give because you will help people'. It is also a poor reflection on the Christian faith, and it minimises the charitable giving that is done.
Isn't it easier to give millions to charity if you can keep a few million for yourself? Is it not more noble to give $100, when you will be left with only $5 to your name? The true givers are those who faithfully give in membership and tithe as a sacrifice, without the promise of return. The true givers are the ones who truly share what they have and are not wasteful or extravagant.
Ministries should have a more eternal mind. God is much more pleased with us believers reaching out to lost souls to heal and help them, than how lavish the church and our homes look. Our material gains should primarily be used for this purpose, there is too much attachment and pleasure taken in earthly treasure, but not enough heavenly treasure sort out for as Jesus talks about in Matthew 6:19-24.
Again, I am not against having nice things, but priority towards the church , believers, poor Christians, widows, fatherless and lost souls not extravagance is the Gospel of Christ . Our treasure should be in heaven, and our earthly goods should be enjoyed with the mindset that it will all be left behind. article from buzz.com edited by victor.s 2013
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