Did I mention your taxes are [were] due today?!
The last time I spoke about being Happy, was regarding my experience of not graduating on time. Here today, mostly for kicks and giggles, we'll discuss another type of happiness. Many people, especially those with some understanding of Christianity are familiar with what is called, "The Prosperity Gospel". Essentially, what makes up this deviation from what the Bible actually teaches (in context) is an idea that you can be healed of any infirmity as well as be rich, usually put in the more colloquial term prosperous. I'm going to run through my thoughts and some quick research on this because I prefer not to waste my time on stuff that's already been resolved, but as you may have noticed from my entries on same-sex anything; you've got to do what needs to be done. Not everyone is hearing correct information from those with voices "louder" than mine.
Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV) #verseOfReflection
...by His stripes we are healed.
Just as some might argue with fervency against the Bible's support of same-sex anything, people will go to a great end to do the same on other topics or subjects up for debate. The possibilities are limitless really. Taking a look at Isaiah 53:5, we see that healing is mentioned in this verse. Some pastors (both past and present), will use this portion of the verse in conjunction (or sometimes singularly) with Matthew 8:16-17 to explain to parishioners that we ought to be healed of everything, as Jesus healed many people during his day. Throw in the verse where Jesus says we ought to do what he does and even "greater" things and it is no wonder people are walking around speaking their ______ (fill in the blank) into existence. This doesn't take away from what we've discussed regarding positive thinking and a healthy psychological outlook, yet understand just because Jesus did it, doesn't mean it will always happen, especially because we simply want it to. I mean, no one should desire to be or stay sick, but that is a part of life. This reminds me of my disgust when people use the phraseology, "Jesus was in the healthcare business." No, Jesus was in the business of doing his father's will, which was inclusive of healing people. The process by which someone is healed through God's grace and having actual health insurance in case something should happen are not one in the same. I get it though. You rouse up the crowd, get 'em all hype...and all that jazz. Some things are necessary "evils". I've witnessed firsthand the healing of someone with immediacy as suggested in the experiences with Jesus as a result of prayer and the individual(s) involved would not suggest that they're in the healthcare business.
3 John 1:2 (NKJV) #verseOfReflection
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things
and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
One thing to understand as a key part of this particular verse is to keep in mind what prosper means. According to Merriam-Webster prosper means to succeed, or become strong and flourishing. If you look at the etymology, prosper comes from words meaning "to cause to succeed" or "favorable". This is not explicitly tied to anything economic. It's only when you look at the examples given that money, and the like becomes involved. Synonyms include burgeon and thrive. Prosperity is all about growth. Period. It's only when we get caught up in the worldliness of greed and consumerism/capitalism that we believe it's about money and economics. Tell me something. Say you get prosperous from a monetary standpoint. What do you do with the money when you die? Pass it on to your descendants? Who's to say they'll actually know how to manage it wisely, let alone be good stewards of what they've been given. Beyond that, why does any one person need more than a set amount of money anyways? I once was in conversation with a good friend of mine, I'm sure I've mentioned this before. He asked my thoughts on us as Christians being well off from an economic standpoint given our Christian values AND our intelligence (both which are gifts from God). I encouraged him in thinking on retirement that regardless of how much we do or don't have we must remember that God will provide. And for me, anytime I come into more money I seem to give it away just as quickly. Remember what was said in the dreams entry; really in the Bible, "that which you sow you shall also reap". Greed serves no one purposefully, except death. It's often the hoarding of resources that causes the pervasive ills faced by our brothers and sisters in this world.
Phew...sound like I'm ranting. Ok...
Sometimes when it comes to these extracurricular theological pronouncements, underlying them is a hop or jump from one thing to another. In other words, they insert a "leap of faith" knowing that most people won't actually verify if what is being said is true.
I'll put it simply. God wants us to be rich. Rich how? That's the question. We already know that having more of something generally brings more problems. What we need to do is be good stewards with what we do have and maybe God will bless us with what we don't. Do I expect to be rich? To be honest, ya damn skippy; at the same time I know I already am! I don't seek after money but to do what God's called me to do. That will include coming into a bigger salary, more resources, my own staff, connecting and networking with people I'd never dream or imagine of being in the same room...this all starts with being faithful with the little I've been given. Even if the little doesn't change I have to continue to press on. If we're good at something we should expect to make a living from it. Period. If we're doing what God has called/created us to do, we should expect to make a living from it. Period. How you spend your money is your business and in addition to that church finances and how money is spent should be a high priority for any ministry/congregation. So long as a pastor is being the good shepherd that the sheep of his flock require and resources are being spent appropriately, I don't care what they spend their money on. If indeed a pastor is being overpaid that's an issue to be taken up with the leadership who are responsible for setting said pastor's salary. At the same time I'd be hard pressed to live in such an opulent situation knowing that my own church members, those which I am responsible for are having a hard time meeting their own needs. We all have our guilty pleasures or things we buy that we don't really need. The key is to not be excessive with it.
I'll close with this. Kenneth Hagin, who is tied to the Word of Faith movement wrote in one of his books that he knew of an investor who was a Christian man and would often receive insight (one of the functions of the Holy Spirit) with regard to certain investments. As the story is told, he'd know within 3 days whether or not to invest in a deal; a time frame he chose. Here's the key. Some deals he did not invest in even though the Holy Spirit said he should because it didn't look like a good deal. Even in having additional insight he still used his knowledge and understanding of what would be successful and what wouldn't. Granted that means he missed some opportunities, as a Christian he is seeking guidance and committing his way to the Lord. I mean, whether an investor is Christian or not, I want them to make wise decisions especially if they're investing my money. Whether this story is true or not, why would the Holy Spirit not help us to make better decisions/be successful in what we do? You can change the occupation from investor to anything, even if it doesn't involve money. What good is a life change like following Christ if it doesn't flow over to every aspect of your life!?
One other thing. just because someone has the Holy Spirit, or is Christian or even a good person doesn't mean their motivations will always be true/pure. Sometimes they may preach/teach correctly and every once in a while they may slip up whether intentional or otherwise. I've learned this from folks including those often pointed out to be "prosperity gospel" teachers.
And with that goes a set amount of time in my life I can't get back. BUT at least you know, now!
If all else fails just pray Jabez's prayer.
I'm kidding.
P.S. Creflo is a Jr. So, despite the last name being Dollar...yea.
P.S.S. If you've ever watched The WORD Network; reconsider. Actually if you've ever watched anything in your life, reconsider.
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) #verseOfReflection
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you.
You can check out the extended context of Matthew 6:24-34 here.
Sumthn2Ponder (s2p):
- Am I happy?
- Do I serve mammon?
Links for Consideration(L4C):
In case you need it
You already know...
