Christians: Is Financial Prosperity God's will for us, or a distortion?

Question

.

This is a BIG theological question that my friends and I have been batting around.

Nowadays, you have Televangelists like Creflo Dollar, and others saying that God wants Christians to be financially prosperous, which DOES make a degree of sense. Obviously, the more prosperous Christians as a people are, the more influence we would theoretically have towards helping people, and bringing people to God.

But there are STRONG EXAMPLES in the Word that point in the opposite direction. Jesus himself said, "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24 KJV)

When Jesus was talking to the young ruler he said, " Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me." (Mark 10:21 KJV)

Or, What about when Jesus said, "But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation." (Luke 6:24 KJV)


However, on the same token... we know that in the Word, there were of men of God, who God blessed with material wealth. Like, Abraham, King Solomon, Job, Joseph, and others.

Additionally, there are many who say Jesus was so wealthy... that he had to have a treasurer. That when Jesus was born, the wise men who came to see him brought him several lifetime's worth in money in the way of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Others, say that... THAT simply isn't true. Making the point that if indeed Jesus was SO WEALTHY why did he work as a carpenter?!?!?

In a commonsensical kind of way one might say, "Why wouldn't God, like any father... want his children to prosper." But, in another you might answer that saying, "Because our reward isn't on Earth, its in Heaven."

Many people think that what minister's like Creflo Dollar are doing is incredible work helping Christians get their finances in order, and getting them to prosper. Others think what Creflo Dollar is doing is primarily about making himself rich, and that he is distorting God's message in a dangerous way.

I see BOTH sides on the coin, but I'm not sure which is right. I think its a bit of a conundrum. What are your thoughts, comments, and opinions???


-

Answer 1

I firmly believe that we should not worry about money. If we are faithful servants and we're short on cash, God will provide. If our car breaks down and we can't afford a new one, God will provide. He might do this in ways such as helping us get a new job or helping us meet someone who can help us out, but He does provide.



If we are financially prosperous we need to share our wealth to help others who are in need. Have you read the Beatitudes? Those who are poor in spirit shall inherit the kingdom of God. The meek shall inherit the earth. The peacemakers shall be called the children of God. We don't need "things" to be good servants of God. Isn't it better that instead of buying a boat for ourselves we buy food for the starving? Heaven is not like America's democracy where we work for what we own. We need to humbly share what we have.

Answer 2

What Creflo Dollar (what a name!) is doing is incredible work helping HIMSELF to get rich!

I could argue many of your theological points, but let me just point to one scripture: Acts 9:15-16 "15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” "

Paul is the man most people credit with really expanding Christianity in the ancient world, even to the point where skeptics and scoffers say he "invented" the religion.

He suffered a great deal, everyone agrees,

Why would God want His chosen instrument to suffer?

I think you're smart enough to answer that one.

Answer 3

when Jesus said "it is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" he meant in the context of his conversation with the rich man. remember the rich man asked Jesus what he needed to inherent the kingdom of God. Jesus replied by telling him to keep the commandments. the rich man told Jesus that he has, than Jesus said "if you want to be perfect (which God commands us to be) then sell all of your belongings to the poor and follow me. in which the rich man denied. So, Jesus did not mean that being prosperous is some sort of sin. He meant that putting your prosperity before God is a sin. because it is idolatry. those who are prosperous but do not live in God truth (love), will be condemned by God.



so, in conclusion merely being rich is not a sin. it is what you do with your money that makes it a sin. God wants all people to prosper. the only way that can happen is if you do it in love. God does not want just one man to be prosperous. he does not have favorites. God wants all man to be prosper. people like Creflo Dollar (ironic name) teach this. one of his slogans are " we become blessed to become a blessing to others". so, a true prosperous man becomes prosperous not merely to fulfill his basic needs. but so that he can help fulfill others basic needs. is this not what christ did. no, Jesus was no rich but he laid aside glory so that we may partake in it with him. we should seek to be prosperous so that we may be like christ by giving it up to the poor. this can be called humbled prosperity.

Answer 4

There's a difference between being wealthy and being greedy.



Deuteronomy 8:8 And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, (why?)



that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Answer 5

God's will is to make us rich.



It is easier for a camel to enter the eye of the needle than a rich man means You cannot enter heaven through your money or good works.

Answer 6

Financial prosperity is a byproduct of being a good steward with the resources God gave you.

Answer 7

My thought is that any televangelist who says, send me your money and you will be blessed with more money is a scam artist.



Paul, the great apostle, said to God, please supply me with what I need, but not so much that I forget you are most important in my life (paraphrased). I think God's first wish for us is to love Him above all things and in all circumstances, not necessarily to always be materially comfortable.