BIBLICAL PROSPERITY: GIVING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

"Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;  Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God." 2 Corinthians 8:1‭-‬5 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/2co.8.1-5.KJV

"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.  And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.  Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.  For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.  For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:  But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:  As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.  But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 2 Corinthians 8:9‭-‬16 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/2co.8.9-16.KJV

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:  (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

2 Corinthians 9:5‭-‬10 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/2co.9.5-10.KJV

God has a different perspective of prosperity. His ways differ from ours. The reason is simple: God is Spirit, human nature is not. 

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord .  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."Isaiah 55:8‭-‬9 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.55.8-9.KJV

(John 3:6)

In every thing He does, He reveals His nature. But no clearer was His nature revealed than in Jesus, the Only Begotten. (John 1:18; 14:9; Colosians 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:1-3.) This means that if God wanted us to know something about Him, He got Jesus Christ to tell/show us. (John 5:19, 14:10-11; Luke 10:22)

The implication of this is that we must rely on Christ’s teaching of prosperity as our benchmark. Any opinion of prosperity that deviates from what Christ taught or what He taught through the Apostles in their letters is ‘another gospel’ and thus, a false teaching, which must be treated as such, regardless of who is teaching it. (2 Corinthians 11:6; Galatians 1:6). What this means is, to understand prosperity, we must understand God, His nature and intents, as this will give us a proper perspective to what He would define as prosperity.

One reason why we would believe in the concept of prosperity is because we understand something about God: He is, by nature, an extravagant, above-and-beyond, non-discriminatory giver. (Matthew 5:45, 7:11; Romans 11:29; Ephesians 2:4-7; James 1:5-6, 17) However, since we have come to agree that God works different, we also have to look at His giving through His lens, in this case, the Word. And the gift of God is exemplified in His greatest gift. (John 3:15-18, 15:13; Romans 3:23-25; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 4:7-8)

In simple terms, ETERNAL LIFE IS GOD’S DEFINITION OF PROSPERITY! A man will therefore be considered as rich or poor to the extent that they have eternal life or not. Which is why Jesus would be cited in Isaiah (61:1-3) in outlining His mandate and the first group of people He says He’s sent to is ‘the poor’. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:18‭-‬19 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.4.18-19.KJV; (Matthew 5:4) 

The Gospel is therefore the vehicle through which God communicates His wealth. And it is available to all to receive by faith, independent of works. And when a man receives this Gift into His Spirit, they are considered blessed! "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."John 3:16 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.3.16.KJV; (Romans 8:32, 10:7-10) 

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" Ephesians 1:3 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/eph.1.3.KJV; Ephesians 2:8-10) Simply put, if we can get it by the arm of the flesh, then it is not the reason Jesus died. Indeed, this Gift is the manifestation of the ‘Abraham’s blessings’ that we have heard so much about. It was not in the physical, because even Isaac, the promised one, was but a figure of the True, which is Christ! (Genesis 12:2-3, 22:18; Acts 3:25-26; Galatians 3:8-9, 16-18)

It is therefore a deviation from the Gospel if we preach prosperity in God in material terms.

Where then did this understanding of material blessing being a part of salvation come? The Jews have read and interpreted Scriptures to mean this. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/deu.8.18.KJV; (Job 36:11; Psalm 35:27, 128:1-3; Matthew 19:24-25.) This tradition has continued even till today.

An expression of the Word of faith movement had interpreted the outcome of Christ’s work as having both spiritual (salvation) and material (physical health and wellbeing, wealth and possessions, etc implications. (Galatians 3:10-13.) This would sound logical....if the problems of the world started from Adam’s fall, then Christ’s finished work should cancel all those problems.

However, as benign as it sounded, they had played into the hands of one of satan’s most effective approach of subverting the gospel, which is not stopping people from preaching, but shifting the emphasis from preaching Jesus as the end; but rather, as a means to an end! Cue in MATERIALISM. The materialism gospel is attractive because it appeals to a vice (of the flesh) we all possess: covetousness (pleonexia - greed). (Mark. 7:22. Romans 1:29; Ephesians 4:29, 5:3.)

"Jesus spoke of money a lot, true. But this was to correct our unnatural obsession on it, none more strongly worded as this one: And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." Luke 12:15 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.12.15.KJV, 

"But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." Luke 12:31 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.12.31.KJV (See also Matthew 19:24; Luke 6:24-25, 9:33-34.)

Covetousness is idolatry. "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:" Colossians 3:5 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/col.3.5.KJV

It will exalt material possessions over God and His gospel, deceiving us into accepting a feel-good gospel where God is a means to an end, and not the end in Himself. (Matthew 6:24-34.) 

And it will breed a crop of wolves. "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.  For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil." Romans 16:17‭-‬19 KJVhttps://bible.com/bible/1/rom.16.17-19.KJV (Acts 20:29; Philippians 3:18-19; 2 Peter 2:1-3, 14) 

And it will lead to a shipwreck of the faith. "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 1 Timothy 1:19 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/1ti.1.19.KJV

"Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain.  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 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 6:5-‬10 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/1ti.6.6-10.KJV

One of the areas where this manifests is in our giving. We have been indoctrinated with the concept of ‘giving and receiving’, ‘sowing and reaping’. Which then begs the question: why are we giving? (Genesis 8:22; Luke 6:38)

WHY THEN DO WE GIVE?

1. We give because it is in our nature to do so, as children of our Heavenly Father. 

2. We give to recognize Jesus as Lord, and us as stewards of the resources in our hands.

3. We give to show that we have broken the hold of money/material possessions (and the greed and covetousness/selfishness that fuels the acquisition of same, aka mammon) in our lives.

4.We give because in our giving is the generosity of God manifest. We give because God meets the needs of needy saints through our giving. 

5. We give to promote the gospel and the kingdom of God.

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.5.45.KJV

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;  Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 2 Corinthians 8:1‭-‬5 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/2co.8.1-5.KJV

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.  And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.  Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.  For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.  For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:  But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:  As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.  But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 2 Corinthians 8:9‭-‬16 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/2co.8.9-16.KJV

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:  (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; 2 Corinthians 9:5‭-‬10 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/2co.9.5-10.KJV

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/php.4.9.KJV

Thank you.

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