22 comments (Add your own)

1. Megs wrote:

I respectfully disagree.

Does God want His people to prosper? Absolutely.

Does prospering have anything to do with new cars and big houses? No.

My God promises that when He's first in my life- my needs will be met and I'll have enough to bless others.

When churches, whether it's on purpose or not, promote a "prosperous" life to be one full of expensive cars, big houses and designer clothes while people in their church go without- I believe that's wrong.

I think talking about Jesus' "accountant" is a stretch because it does not correlate to what we see as an accountant and paints a picture for the purpose of the argument instead of reality. Also, the church in the New Testament, which is our blueprint for today, shows that everything they had was shared and no one went without. If EVERYONE in your ability to influence has their needs met, let the prosperity flow. But today our influence stretches beyond our house, our church, our state boundaries and even across the oceans.

I think we lose Jesus in the version of the "prosperity gospel" that people are criticizing. We are so use to a capitalist mindset and selfishness that we don't our blind to our own biases.

God will meet my needs and allow me to be a blessing- YES YES YES YES!

We highlight the million dollar donations in church, but the Bible says clearly that it's the poor woman who gives a few cents that is praised in God's eyes. It's a heart issue. And when you're consumed with the goods, you have a heart issue in a negative sense. There's just no way around it.

Those are my thoughts. Love you and P. Wendy! Thanks for asking for our thoughts on the topic.

January 25, 2010 @ 6:11 PM

2. Al wrote:

I believe that there may be some confusion about prosperity & the fact that God simply honors his word. We know that only God knows the hearts of men & it will be revealed on that day, but the truth is that God will honor a person who gives. It is in His word time and time again. There is no way around it. I feel a deep desire to be a great communicator of this fact. I do not believe that God is an ATM machine, nor do I believe that we serve a blab it & grab it God. In fact there are instances where God may not bless us. (The Book of James) However, I do believe that the church must be financially positioned to meet the needs of a hurting world. The bigger the vision, the greater the provision. As God prospers His people, the more positioned we are to meet the particular needs He has called us to meet. This requires vision, faith, generosity & sacrifice. Often times, it is those who are touched the most by the needs they are trying to meet, yet they have the least amount of resources to do the job. Therefore we must teach them to give in order to understand that we serve a God who honors His word.

Keep reaching Vegas & the world.

January 25, 2010 @ 6:17 PM

3. Brian Stokes wrote:

Seek first the Kingdom and all these things will be added to you. What is promised to be added to us ... Jesus promises to meet are most necessary needs -- food, clothing, etc.

The problem with the prosperity gospel mindset is that it does not work in third world countries. No matter how much you preach it ... many of those people will probably never rise to the near a 10th of what a standard American lives.

If your belief doesn't work in the third world country, then it is not absolute and thus it is not a gospel truth.

The prosperity doctrine only works in first world countries and has only flourish in the last hundred years because as till now there had not existed such an elaborate demonstration of capitalism. Without capitalism we have no prosperity gospel.

A final point, it is not that God does not want us to prosper. It is that God's definition of prospering is different from ours.

January 25, 2010 @ 6:30 PM

4. T. M. wrote:

To those that believe that prosperity is not a sin God gives and they enjoy and share the riches. To those who believe that to be poor shows how good of a christian they are, God does not give riches cause they never ask or believe even though they want them. Both don't sin but both enjoy what they prayed for. God sees the heart. Being poor just for the shake of being poor does nothing to the world. Just shows that our God can not provide more than what you have. Why pray to God to give 100 million to a mission and not pray to God to give 100million to my family? Why one is acceptable and the other one seems prosperity gospel? It is because of how we think the individual will manage the 100million. We trust that the ministry will spend the money for the work of God but the individual not. So there is no doubt that we all believe that money are necessary if we use them according to God's heart and character. I have come to the conclusion that no one can change the mind of someone else. So there is no point of fighting who is right or wrong. Choose what you want your God to be and God will be the judge. Let's stop judging each other and pretend we are better Christians cause we are poor (especially) or rich.($$$)
Sorry for my poor English :)

January 25, 2010 @ 8:00 PM

5. Carlos Rodriguez wrote:

Hey Pastor Benny,

I wholeheartedly agree. Prosperity is a means to expand the kingdom. I am how
ever, against the gospel that stresses the body of Christ to give money without stressing the process of sanctification and maturity. They say if you give this amount you will receive this much. The Bible says if you have an offering but are offended with your brother, leave the offering and fix the broken relationships for example. I do want to be bless and expect God to bless my wife abundantly and I do minister prosperity but not without the process of God.

January 25, 2010 @ 9:29 PM

6. rosa santiago wrote:

amen pastor benny!! ive been at the church for 6 months already, & i thank God that i have a pastor that has compassion for people, & has a great vision for this city, thats why God is blessing our church, because u believe God for your people, & there is a spirit of generosity in our church, when my husband & i started going to the church, his business was going under, we had no hope, but we started applying the word of god that was going over the pulpit,(service, & the advocates)my husband was giving,believing & his business has grown at an unbelievable pace, the finances kept coming in & we kept giving back, & the more we gave the more it kept coming in it was almost scary!! weve been giving & giving & it keeps pouring in! we dont deserve anything, but we know hes giving it to us cuz there are needs & we have a pastor that believes in giving back to the hurting people of las vegas, the bible says it in malachi 3 "test me in this."

January 25, 2010 @ 10:12 PM

7. wow wrote:

I disagree with the term prosperity "gospel" message. there is only one gospel message and that is the Son of God laying His life down for lost humanity. I believe that we should be generous and sacrificial in our giving. After the ascension of Christ and the birthing of the church we see radical generosity. I believe that the prosperity message is dangerous and the money doesn't “flow” to all the givers the way it should. It's pretty sad to see preachers standing at their pulpits telling people they are “cursed” if they don't tithe and walk out the door jump in their fancy cars and head off into the sunset. Most of the prosperity preachers have gotten rich off of preaching the gospel. Hey, you wanna be rich go start a company..wait, most of them have its called the Church. If Judas was the accountant and then Jesus must have been the senior pastor, I guess I should go start a church, that way I can get rich. Except Judas was a thief. Shouldn't hire him.

January 25, 2010 @ 10:32 PM

8. S.G. wrote:

For the most part, those that do not prosper in all areas of life, do not believe in what has been labeled a "prosperity gospel", while those that have prospered or are partaking of prosperity in all areas of their lives, believe in the teachings of prosperity. These are two distinct camps within the church. However, we must be responsible for what the Scriptures have to say about it, since this is the final authority in all matters. We find in Scripture a God who prospers its people in all areas. Whether we want to accept it or not, it does not change the fact that the majority of those that sought after God, lived a life of prosperity. What do we do with all of those verses that mention prosperity, and God's desire to prosper His people? True prosperity is found in a life that is balanced and obedient between its giving and receiving. It is a life prepare to be of a blessing to others. It is one who's priority begins with the Lord and stands ready to be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit in meeting the needs of those that God has purposed for us to bless with the blessings that we ourselves have received. To a certain point, not believing in God's idea and desire to prosper our lives is not only self-defeating but can even be viewed as a selfish act. If we can be the instruments that God can use to bring relief and blessings upon others through our own God-given provisions, why stand in the way, in opposition to how God wants to use us in our lives? If our sole purpose for believing in prosperity is only the gather for ourselves, then whatever we have acquired is not God-given and will someday disappear. However, if we have received from God due to our balanced life of service and dedication to His principles, then you will be used by Him to carryout His mission with the abundance that has been placed in your hands. A balanced and prioritized life in Christ should be the foundation of your prosperity. Then you can experience the joy and blessing of being able to see the needs of others met through your ability to give. Unfortunately, you will also have to be added to the list of those that have been prospered by God and are being persecuted for their prosperity. It is God's desire to prosper us, is up to us to position ourselves to receive from Him. However, this may require from you a life of daily sacrifice and dedication to Him, in order to obtain the vision of what this prosperity thing is truly all about.

January 25, 2010 @ 11:14 PM

9. Willie Varela wrote:

Hi Pastor Benny,

How difficult for some and easy for others to talk about prosperity in the richest country in the world. Where recession means to change your car every three years instead of every two. To have vacations in Hawaii instead of Europe.

You know I'm in Colombia, working with a Christian organization who help the poor and the needy which is very difficult to do without money. Yes, we need the money! Because the lack of it, we just closed a Christian school with 800 kids. We had to let go about 50 Christian teachers. Yes, we need the resources, the means, the money.

However, in my learning process, poverty not always is solved with money and thousands of people use poverty as an excuse. Poverty is a spiritual stage due to a broken relationship with our Lord.

I'm proud to see what you and The Church are doing for the poor in Las Vegas. Helping hundreds of people every two weeks, encouraging the children of God to give as part of a commandment, working against human trafficking, it's just what prosperity means for me. To help others.

Prosperity or living in abundance is the will of God for us and it means more than just money. Some have the ability to make money and some don't. But we all can be prosperous and have an abundant life full of peace, joy, revelation, and the opportunity to give from our wallet or our heart.

When you are not in the States, prosperity has a new whole concept. Abundance gets a greater meaning. The Kingdom of God should be our first priority, with or without money but always in abundance. For years, before the earthquake, Haiti has been one of the main recipients of resources from the US, UN, UNICEF, UNESCO, etc. however, it continues to be one of the poorest countries in the world and then my question is, When someone dies, regardless of the "level" of prosperity, he/she will go to heaven only after accepting Jesus as the savior and Lord of his/her life.

Pastor Benny, you are right on. Preaching about prosperity and helping others with the blessings poured in your Ministry.

My prayers go for the continue flowing of the blessings in The Church.

January 26, 2010 @ 10:19 AM

10. Phillip Ortiz wrote:

Great Word Pastor Benny. To some He gives one talent, To some He Gives ten. I am responsible for mine not yours. The problem is so many people compare...we have been doing it since Adam ate from that Tree and decided to put himself in a position he was never intended to be in. We are all to be faithful with what we have! To give extravagantly because Christ gave extravagantly! I cannot be the Holy Spirit in anyones life and decide for them how they use there talents, but I can be an example. Thanks for being an example and for standing in such a dark place. It's hard to say prosperity is wrong when we continually see God Prospering His people...(King Solomon, Joseph, etc.) As a believers, we all have a different road to walk... and prosperity is not as much about quantity as it is about quality. Keep doing what your doing Pastor!

January 26, 2010 @ 11:51 AM

11. Interesting wrote:

Listening to Mark Driscoll's podcast as he is preaching thru the book of Luke.

Last week he was in Luke 4. Mark makes this comment "Satan is a prosperity preacher". Then I see this blog post. Way to go Benny posting such an interesting blog. I think people are just getting tired of the obvious disconnect between the people on the platform and the people in the pew regarding financial blessing.

It is obvious when that the "platform" people are going to get more "blessing" then the little widow who gives 15% of her money to the church. I have been a person that has given no less the 14% of our income to my local church. I have been raised in the "prosperity" type of church. I have watched for years the pastors and their “circle of buddies” get richer and richer and richer. Unfortunately the people who are giving all their money to the church, to offerings, to cd’s, DVD’s etc are not getting richer at the same pace.

There has to be a change in what is being communicated from our pulpits. The obvious and blatant out of context teaching regarding prosperity is getting to the point of cultic and heretical

I think some of our preachers and teachers need to study the bible more from Genesis-Revelations. Really learn what the old and new covenant means and what was going on. Please stop using Abraham as our reason to “tithe” because he tithed before the law. It’s really embarrassing and shows the lack of biblical education. You can’t just grab scriptures and declare it’s in the bible and it’s for me. Well, there are a lot of scriptures in the bible.

January 26, 2010 @ 6:04 PM

12. David wrote:

I believe that the Gospel works wherever it is preached and believed.
To think that it doesn't work in a Third-world country limits the power of God.
The poor womans gift was great because of the Portion she gave, not the Amount.
God has provided all we need for us to enjoy. Why do we reject money and possessions? You can have them as long as they don't have you.

January 26, 2010 @ 8:06 PM

13. Matt wrote:

Wow. What a convo. For those who know me, or those who go to my church, or those who listen to my sermons online, you know I rarely speak highly of what has come to be known as the "prosperity gospel." There are many reasons for this, but Pastor Justyn Smith has hit the main nail on the head when he wrote, "Have leaders abused the Bible and Christianity to get people to give to them? Yes! Have there been some who have guilted people into giving? Yes!" Because of this sort of abuse, I have found myself critical of an open approval of a so-called "prosperity gospel." However, this does not mean that we must group all people into the same category, nor does it mean that there is a simple, black & white answer to the question, "Is the prosperity gospel good or bad?" A couple thoughts:

1) I don't think the word "gospel" should be used in the term, "prosperity gospel." There is only one gospel. It is a person and a claim. The person is Jesus himself. The claim is what Jesus himself said, "The time is fulfilled; the Kingdom of God is at hand" (Mk 1:15). If anyone wants to know what the Kingdom of God is all about, what the "Gospel" is all about, I'd suggest the Sermon on the Mount as a the best treatise on the subject. If I were to say anything positive about using the term "gospel" when discussing this topic, it would only be to say that the prosperity gospel must be seen as "good news" not to those who are prosperous, but to those who are not. That is, because God blesses people in order that they might bless others (as Benny has rightly said in his discussions on the matter), prosperity is great news for those who are poor because others who are prosperous are eager to bless them financially! So perhaps prosperity is "good news" (gospel) to the poor...if funds are properly handled by those who have wealth. Just remember that there is only one Gospel and one Gospel only. As long as we remember this, then we can all have a valid conversation about how Christians ought to handle their finances.

2) Although I wish the term "prosperity gospel" would be changed to something else, I must also admit that there is a positive and biblical reason for God to give wealth to those in the Church. It is true, as some in this thread have made mention, that God may choose to bless some with physical health, mental health, spiritual health, friendships, marriages, and many things other than mere money. Yet let's not forget that God may actually want to bless someone with money when they are in need. I would suggest that God may actually want to use His Church as the avenue through which to bless these people. If the church has no money, it means God must choose another avenue. Of course He can easily do such a thing, but why should the Church not desire to be in a position to be used by God? I think a Church should desire to have the funds available for God to use and distribute as he pleases. The question then becomes, "Are the 'prosperity' churches actually using their money as a means to God's ends? Are they actually being used as an avenue for God's blessings to the needy in the Church and in the community in which the Church resides?" This makes all the difference in my mind as to whether a Church is abusing their financial wealth or being faithful with it. Here's where I will wholeheartedly stand up for Benny and for The Church @ South LasVegas. I have not seen many church services where people begin bringing their money up to the stage and then those monies are immediately redistributed to those who are in need right then and there in the very same service. But the Church @ South LasVegas did exactly that. I had to choke back my tears and check my critique of the "prosperity gospel" at the door when I saw that video. And what's more, TC@SLV does more than just help those "in" the church. I am deeply impressed with the store they have where people (Christians OR non-Christians) are welcome to come and pick up practical items that are used everyday, and they pay nothing for these products. It's literally a free store for those in need. This sort of thing is what the people of God ought to be about. Use what you have to help those who don't have...whether those people are saints or sinners. God help us all to find ways of displaying this kind of Christlike, outlandish love through the proper use of finances and products.

All that to say, yes, I am still quite slow to openly affirm a "prosperity gospel," and I find myself wanting to throw punches at Christians and churches that sell out proper biblical teaching and Christian theology for a weekly money-making speech from the pulpit. However, not everyone who uses the term "prosperity gospel," and not every wealthy church deserves to be put in the same category as all the others. I would be willing to bet that if Benny stopped using the word "prosperity" altogether and yet still sowed into the lives of those who are in need (as he and his church do), nobody would be on here ripping him or his church. Learn from my mistakes. Don't let the term taint the investigation. Look at what the wealth is actually going toward. See if the true Gospel is actually being preached. See if the lessons from the Sermon on the Mount are being practiced. And then ignore the lingo if you have to, because the fact is simply that God's will is being done and people are being used in their spirit of generosity.

Finally, the talks about opening the books of the church to investigate the finances. The Church (I assume) is a non-profit, which means it's books are always legally open to the public. So there is nothing to hide. And when there is nothing to hide, it speaks even more highly about the organization's integrity. Does anyone really think Benny or TC@SLV is hiding stuff? If so, learn what is required of non-profits before making such accusations.

January 26, 2010 @ 8:59 PM

14. Jamie wrote:

Benny,

I do not know what your teaching is on prosperity but I am a supporter of you and I wanted to address some of your comments.

I want to start off by adressing your comment on Pastor Jack Hayford. He does not drive in expensive vehicles, he has a modest home in Los Angeles area, and he has a balenced message on prosperity. I can say this because I know him.

Secondly, Jesus walked the earth during a time when there were more Romans than Jews living in what was called Biblical Palestine. There were only two social classes like in Guatemala and many Latin American cultures you had the rich and the poor. If you were a politician or owned land you had money but if you had a trade such as Jesus before He started the ministry you were poor. Most of the jews during the time of Jesus was also poor. The men wore tshirt type tunics that started from their shoulders and went to their knees. Most ministers that say Jesus clothes was unique because it was in one piece is incorrect. The Roman guards did not want to rip His tunic because it would be worthless so they casted lots for it. You can learn a lot about Biblical times from Seminary School. I believe that Judas held on to the money for the same reason Billy Graham stopped holding on to the money his first service when he was pictured in the newspapers so many years ago with money buckets in his hands. Integrity. The last question is if Jesus ministered to mainly Jews and they were poor how could He have been rich? I believe that they had money to help the poor like the New Testament church was doing but if they would have been rich Paul and the disciples would not have been struggling in their effort to collect funds for the church in Jerusalem which Paul wrote about.

I believe that God does want to bless His people but I also know that Jesus said to give up everything to reach the lost. Jesus taught that John the Baptist was the greatest prophet and Johns own word "He who has two tunics give up the one to the one that has none and he also said to do the same with the food." If we really look at the teaching of Jesus and John we would really see that God is telling us to live modest joyful lives while giving the rest into the Kingdom. I preach and teach a Biblical message on prosperity. The problem with many today is that they want to pervert the Word for their own gain.

God desires to bless the church and His people but He also allows us at times to go through times where we must be seasoned by fire and salt. Mark 9:49-50 God desires a people to be holy and on fire for Him before He desires to give them money. The sermon on the mount is all about a person that lives a life on fire for God, hungry for God, putting others first, and a person filled with joy. Seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.

Eleven out of the twelve disciples died giving their lives reaching the lost. Their heads were chopped off, they were hung on a cross, and other. There is a very big difference in the worlds success and Biblical success.

January 27, 2010 @ 11:54 PM

15. Jeff King wrote:

I believe the Prosperity Gospel twists and violates Scripture. I want to respond to a few of Justyn Smith's points:

JS: We believe that God wants to prosper people.

Me: Really? If you mean financially, where does the Bible teach that? It doesn't. Christ came to redeem people. Isn't that enough? It cost us nothing, but the Father everything. Messiah warns that man cannot serve both mammon and God, yet charismatics think they can have both. Solomon is the Prosperity Gospel poster boy but look how far he fell. Wealth did not set him free. He wrote in Ecclesiastes 5:10, "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity."

JS: I absolutely believe God wants to prosper everyone.

Me: Tell that to the poor in Africa, where accepting Christ usually means an Islamic death sentence or beating. Where's their Mercedes and six-figure income? Tell that to the apostle Paul, who was beaten, shipwrecked and imprisoned. Tell that to the early Bible translators who were burned at the stake. How did they miss this charismatic gravy train? This gospel of greed sells only in America.

JS: I pray someday I’ll have a nice house, new cars, send my kids to college and not have to worry about my future when I’m older.

Me: Don't worry, be happy. Matthew 6:25-34 expounds: "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? . . . seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things."

JS: It doesn’t mean that you can’t drive the newest Mercedes or live in—get ready for this—a multi-million dollar home. If Jesus didn’t believe in prosperity how did he support 12 disciples? Why did Jesus have what we would call today an accountant? He wasn’t poor and he wasn’t rubbing his money in faces either.

Me: Where does it say Jesus was rich? The Son of Man said He had nowhere to lay His head. By saying He had an accountant, I assume you're referring to Judas Iscariot. Nice fellow. He betrayed the Lord. The disciples left all to follow Christ. When they were hungry they plucked heads of grain in the field. They didn't dine at five-star restaurants. I would love to hear Matthew 6:19-20 quoted at the next prosperity conference: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures of earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven."

January 28, 2010 @ 1:19 AM

16. Jeff King wrote:

One last thought about Christians praying for homes and new cars. I'm not against having those things, but Proverbs 30:8-9 might be a more healthy, balanced model for prayer: "Give me neither poverty nor riches – feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God."

January 28, 2010 @ 11:55 AM

17. Emily Shade wrote:

Hi Pastor Benny,

I have copied this per your request to your blog, since I can't seem to post it to your facebook. Maybe you can?

"""
Pastor Benny,

I am new to your family in LV, Cherie brought me into the fold. However I am located in AZ, I do try to keep up with your ministry, lessons and sermons. I would certainly hope and pray that my words stated below would not be taken out of context and twisted into something that is dirty, and not of the Lord, as happens so many times to our leaders, and teachers in the community. I do not speak out on many things, very often, but when someone is so bent on proving a person is misleading their community, I have to step up. I mean, slap the other cheek and move on.

I just want to say thank you, for not being Hysterically Historical. Jimmeney, If someone wants to be that retentive about recalling times and dates when one person may have misstepped, I say, aren't their more important things to focus your energies on?

My understanding, is God gives us what HE feels we need. If HE decides to bless us with wealth, it is to our own testament of faith how we use that wealth to better our community. But I ask you, what is wealth and who determines the monetary value of what makes a person wealthy? Society determines what makes a person "RICH" not wealthy. Wealth can be found in those you surround yourself with, in your friends and family. You can be wealthy in love, wealthy in faith, wealthy in health, wealthy in gifts of the spirit, wealthy in fruits of the spirit, and still be poor. Humble is he who walks in the footsteps of the Lord. Let those who are without sin, cast the first stone. Since we are all born into original sin, because of Adam and Eve, and we are cleansed of our sins by Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross, whence no one should go to the Father except through HIM.

If it were not for Christ we would be soiled and dirty when standing before God. Please do not soil the good word by slandering and belittling, and nitpicking a lesson someone has tried to convey. If there is issue, allow that person to recant on their own after you have presented the issue to them , IF A WRONG HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO THE COMMUNITY.

In regards to the discount thing...People who are in service to the community receive discounts as an unspoken rule by the community in which they live. It is ok to make light of that simple fact, when looking at a sizable purchase, but to take it out of context as has been done, is truly a discussion that should be one on one, not for everyone to be involved with. After all, do we tell Veterans, no you can't use your military discount to receive a percentage off your purchase? Or Senior Citizens the same?

Truly, if someone has a problem with me, I would prefer that they come to me personally 1st rather than calling me out in front of my peers. However, If I did not respond and strive to seek to make it right, I would fully expect to be called on it in front of my peers. I would say to those who have created the turmoil, Please lay this to rest. We have enough turmoil in the world to be muckraking and red herring in our own church.

Love to all in Christ and Gods Blessings on your day,
Very Humbly yours.
"""

January 28, 2010 @ 1:02 PM

18. Pastor Justyn "PJ" wrote:

To All,

This has been quite a conversation. Reading from my blog, Pastor Benny's blog, Facebook accounts and Twitters it's quite obvioius that people are pasionate about the issue of "prosperity". I'm glad the one thing we can agree on is that we need to focus on loving God and reaching people.

In regards to the "prosperity gospel"...I do agree that "prosperity gospel" is perhaps not the correct term. To be honest, I'm not quite sure who first coined that phrase. In regards to talking about some of my heroes in the faith and using them as examples of prosperity. By no means am I attacking them. I'm simply pointing out that they probably live a pretty comfortable lifestyle with all the books, etc. they've produced. They should make no appologies and I pray God continues to prosper them as I know they continue to give to the Kingdom. :)

As Christians we absolutely have a responsibility to give to and help those in need. Not only is it morally right, but it's one more way where we can reach out to people to show Christ's love. As children of the King I blieve that He wants to prosper us, which doesn't mean only money. But, it also doesn't mean that it doesn't mean money. I think people can take two extremes views. We have some who believe it's only or mainly monetary prosperity and others who believe it has nothing to do with money. I ask, why can't it be both? Why can't it be joy, money, peace, happiness, etc?

To those who say it's only money...it is more than money. Think of all the countries who do not value money as much as ours. To those who say it's not money...Why can't it ALSO be money? Why can't PART of the prosperity be money?

Great thoughts...great conversation...let's continue to keep Jesus the focus!

PJ

February 1, 2010 @ 12:42 AM

19. MG wrote:

what I believe the Pastor are conveying is that "prosperity" is a powerful vehicle to help many people in less fortunate places. I am not sure how that is confusing. Christians should lead a blessed life with no limits, why should we be limited? Because it is socially unacceptable? Well, not properly tithing is also socially unacceptable to GOD :)

God didn't call us to a life of poverty or "less than" because we are Christ followers. We are all heirs of His Kingdom. Does He not say in His word, "you have not because you ask not?" I ask for Prosperity daily, I also give even in my greatest time of need. If all I can tithe is $10 (sometimes that is all I can tithe) I honestly get sad that I can't give more! I want the increase so that I can increase my tithing. Because I understand clearly what prosperity is for. Cars and nice houses? I want a nice home, I want a nice car, Our heavenly Father blesses us according to His Riches And Glory. We are His children! Do you not provide good things to your children? things they need, and things they want?

Wealth properly used? Well that is based on the individual.
God blesses us with prosperity so we can help reach souls. Where will they sit if we cannot house them? We support the church with our finances so that we can have a great church to continue the ministry of reaching souls. Our prosperity allows us to have greater resources to continue fighting against the devils kingdom.

Are souls not our ultimate goal? is that not the reason we are going to church? or is it for selfish gain? If we strengthen ourselves simply to be good Christians but don't share with others... well whom are we serving?(self).Prosperity allows greater capabilities to teach, strengthen, and reach lost souls.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you,plans to give you hope and a future.

Why is there so much judgment against wealthy people? instead, pray that God brings in more of them, or that He touches the hearts of those who have more so we can reach more people. :) I pray for prosperity on all of you!

February 4, 2010 @ 10:42 PM

20. David wrote:

I am a Charasmatic, so this is not an attack coming from a cessationist. I believe that all wealth comes from God (Ecclesiastes 5:19), but if someone is weathly it's also because they worked for it (Proverbs 10:4). If all Christians are supposed to be "propserous" than what about our brothers and sisters in Christ in thirld-world countries who would be considered "poor" by American standards.
My problem with the term "prosperity gospel" is that it's not the GOSPEL! When we call it that, it's completely blasphemous and unbiblical. It has connotations that "the good news: is that God saves you to prosper you not only spiritually, but materially as well." To quote you, you said; "...our church believes in the Prosperity Gospel...". Prosperity is not the gospel. The Apostle Paul said that the Gospel is; "...that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures..." (1 Cor.15:1-4). Once again, the Gospel of the Bible is the good news that Christ came to save sinners, nothing else is referred to as the gospel. When we call anything the "____________ gospel," we are in danger of being accursed (Galatians 1:6-9).
I think everyone needs to look to 1 Timothy 6 as a standard concerning this issue.
-Paul warns of false teachers who would infiltrate the church and says they "imagine that godliness is a means of gain" (vs5).
-He also encourages believers to be content with what they have (vs6-7)
-He also warns us that "those who desire to be rich fall into temptation" (vs9) and that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils" (vs10).
-Then he says to Christians that are "rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."
Lets stop using the term "prosperity gospel," people because it's not Biblical. Lets realize that there are poor Christians, poor unbelievers, rich Christians, and rich unbelievers. If one has wealth it's because they worked for it.
In Christ,
David

February 5, 2010 @ 9:19 PM

21. Jeff King wrote:

Wolves continue to prey on the LORD's sheep, largely because the sheep are asleep or blind or both. It took a secular TV station, WFAA in Dallas-Fort Worth, to do what the church failed to do: expose one of the wolves. WFAA takes issue with the lack of accountability and lavish lifestyle of prosperity preacher Ed Young:

http://www.wfaa.com/news/investigates/Prominent-Pastor-Linked-to-Luxury-83600192.html

Matthew 7:16 says "by their fruit you will recognize them." The fruit in Grapevine, Texas, stinketh.

February 6, 2010 @ 1:13 AM

22. adel tan wrote:

I believe prosperity is God's way to make His people as a blessing channel for other people.
I came from a country in Southeast Asia where I was rich, drove a Benz, own a big house, but I never reached out nor cared about the others.
When I came to USA, situation was totally different. I lived in an apartment, way more humble than what I had before. It's God's plan for me to went to a great church and met great believers. I started to learn to give, to bless other people. To my surprise, God always provide me in His miraculous ways.
And I really believe, we can never outgive our God. He's the provider regardless He gave you a new Benz or an old Honda. The more you want to be His blessing channel, God will prosper you, in His beautiful way.

February 18, 2010 @ 12:32 PM

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