{"id":3369,"date":"2015-08-08T00:10:04","date_gmt":"2015-08-08T07:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/?p=3369"},"modified":"2015-08-09T07:17:00","modified_gmt":"2015-08-09T14:17:00","slug":"88-does-the-gospel-promise-prosperity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/2015\/08\/08\/88-does-the-gospel-promise-prosperity\/","title":{"rendered":"8\/8: Does the Gospel Promise Prosperity? (\u7bb419:13-22 \u6797\u524d4:1-21 \u4ee3\u4e0a26:20-27:34)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u8bfb\u7ecf\uff1a\u00a0\u7bb419:13-22 \u6797\u524d4:1-21 \u4ee3\u4e0a26:20-27:34<\/h2>\n

Does the Gospel Promise Prosperity?<\/h2>\n
\n

Laurence was in charge of the finances of the church. He was also a deacon. There was a great revival taking place all around him. It was said that, \u2018All of Rome were becoming Christians.\u2019<\/p>\n

As a result, persecution broke out under the Emperor Valerian in around the year 250 AD. Christians who owned property distributed all the church\u2019s money and treasures to the city\u2019s poor.<\/p>\n

Valerian ordered all bishops, priests and deacons to be arrested and executed. He offered Laurence a way out if he would show where all the church\u2019s treasures were located.<\/p>\n

Laurence asked for three days to gather it into one central place. He brought together the blind, poor, disabled, sick, elderly, widows and orphans. When Valerian arrived, Laurence flung open the doors and said, \u2018These are the treasures of the church\u2019!<\/p>\n

Valerian was so angry that he decided beheading was not terrifying enough for Laurence. He ordered that this courageous man be roasted on a gridiron. That is how Laurence died on 10 August 258 AD. Apparently, he even joked with his executioners, \u2018You may turn me over. I\u2019m done on this side.\u2019 His courage made such an impression that the revival in Rome only increased with many people becoming Christians including several senators who witnessed his execution.<\/p>\n

St Laurence had a profound understanding of the message of Jesus. He understood that the poor were the true treasures of the church<\/em>.<\/p>\n

What should our attitude be to the poor? What about the rich? Is poverty a blessing or a curse? Are riches a blessing or a curse? Does the gospel promise prosperity?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

1. Money is not everything<\/h2>\n

Proverbs 19:13-22<\/a>The book of Proverbs has a remarkably balanced understanding of wealth and poverty. Neither is seen as wholly good or wholly bad. They are understood as part of the wider fabric of life, and we are encouraged to use what we have wisely.<\/p>\n

\u2018Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord\u2019 (v.14). There is nothing wrong with houses or wealth; but there are more important things in life. Finding the right marriage partner is far more important than having lots of money.<\/p>\n

For those tempted to work too hard in pursuit of money or any other goal, it is important to remember the sovereignty of God: \u2018Many are the plans in a human heart, but it is the Lord\u2019s purpose that prevails\u2019 (v.21). Taking \u2018Sabbath rest\u2019 and holidays is a sign that we trust in God\u2019s sovereignty.<\/p>\n

Wealth is not the most important thing in life; nor is poverty the worst thing that can happen to us: \u2018What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar\u2019 (v.22). We need love far more than we need riches. Integrity of character is far more important than money.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, this passage does not exalt poverty as a virtue. Sometimes poverty can be self-inflicted: \u2018Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry\u2019 (v.15).<\/p>\n

Whatever the reason may be for a person\u2019s poverty, we should be kind to the poor: \u2018Those who are kind to the poor lend to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done\u2019 (v.17).<\/p>\n

This is an extraordinary and wonderful promise. God is no person\u2019s debtor. Every time you do something kind for a poor person, you are lending to the Lord and he will repay with interest: \u2018He will reward them for what they have done\u2019 (v.17b). There are not many things in life that are more rewarding than ministry with the poor. Often we see amazing blessings in the lives of those who spend their time ministering with the poor, the homeless and the prisoners.<\/p>\n

Lord, I entrust you with my finances and my future. Help me to live a life of generosity to all \u2013 especially the poor.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

\n

2. Poverty of the apostles<\/h2>\n

1 Corinthians 4:1-21<\/a>On the outside, people were rich, honoured and strong; but the church in Corinth was in a real mess. Paul points out that they were arrogant, proud and jealous. They tolerated sexual immorality, and they went to court against each other.<\/p>\n

In this passage, Paul starts to tackle some of these issues. Paul is an apostle. He sees in their lives the arrogance of the rich. They are proud of their material wealth. Paul puts in a nutshell why no one has any cause for pride: \u2018Isn\u2019t everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from God? So what\u2019s the point of all this comparing and competing? You already have all you need. You already have more access to God than you can handle\u2019 (vv.7b\u20138, MSG).<\/p>\n

They are rich like kings: \u2018Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign \u2013 and that without us!\u2019 (v.8a). There is a hint of sarcasm here. They are not really rulers at all, \u2018How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we might come to rule with you!\u2019 (v.8b)<\/p>\n

He contrasts their material wealth with the poverty of the apostles. \u2018You might be sure of yourselves, but we live in the midst of frailties and uncertainties. You might be well-thought-of by others, but we\u2019re mostly kicked around. Much of the time we don\u2019t have enough to eat, we wear patched and threadbare clothes, we get doors slammed in our faces, and we pick up odd jobs anywhere we can to eke out a living\u2019 (vv.11\u201312, MSG).<\/p>\n

Paul was one of the most influential Christians of all time. His ministry was one of the most \u2018successful\u2019 of all times. However, it did not lead to material prosperity. Quite the opposite. He was materially poor. He did not have enough food. He did not have nice clothes. He was homeless.<\/p>\n

His poverty did not come about as a result of laziness: \u2018We work hard with our own hands\u2019 (v.12a). But, like many poor people today, he was subject to abuse. He did not respond in kind: \u2018When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world\u2019 (vv.12b\u201313).<\/p>\n

Paul writes with great love \u2013 not to shame them but to warn them. He sees them as a father sees his own children (vv.14\u201315): \u2018I\u2019m writing as a father to you, my children. I love you and want you to grow up well, not spoiled. There are a lot of people around who can\u2019t wait to tell you what you\u2019ve done wrong, but there aren\u2019t many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up. It was as Jesus helped me proclaim God\u2019s Message to you that I became your father. I\u2019m not, you know, asking you to do anything I\u2019m not already doing myself\u2019 (vv.14\u201316, MSG).<\/p>\n

Paul had a father\u2019s heart. A father\u2019s heart is gentle, kind, nurturing, training, persevering and never gives up on people. This should be the attitude of a pastor. All human parents are less than perfect. But you are loved and nurtured by your perfect heavenly father and can seek to be a parent to others based on his heavenly model.<\/p>\n

Lord, thank you that I have received far more through Jesus than anything this world can offer. May I be willing to be a fool \u2018for Christ\u2019 (v.10). Help me to imitate Paul\u2019s example.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

\n

3. Riches of kings<\/h2>\n

1 Chronicles 26:20-27:34<\/a>When Paul wrote, \u2018Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign\u2019 (1 Corinthians 4:8), perhaps he had kings like King David in mind.<\/p>\n

David was rich. He had great \u2018treasuries\u2019 (1 Chronicles 26:22), he had \u2018royal storehouses\u2019 (27:25), he had \u2018vineyards\u2019, \u2018wine vats\u2019 (v.27), \u2018olive and sycamore-fig trees\u2019 (v.28), \u2018supplies of olive oil\u2019 (v.28b), \u2018herds\u2019 (v.29), \u2018camels\u2019 and \u2018donkeys\u2019 (v.30b), \u2018flocks\u2019 and \u2018property\u2019 (v.31).<\/p>\n

Finances are not \u2018unspiritual\u2019. For example, the worship of God usually takes place in buildings. Buildings cost money. Running the financial side of a church is an important role. The \u2018Levites were put in charge of the financial affairs of The Temple… They supervised the finances of the sanctuary of God\u2019 (26:20,22, MSG). Shubael was \u2018the chief financial officer\u2019 (v.24, MSG).<\/p>\n

Material wealth was often seen in the Old Testament as a sign of God\u2019s blessing. It is still true that godly character \u2013 hard work, reliability, integrity and honesty \u2013 are characteristics that often can lead to success and material prosperity. However, as we have seen in the New Testament passage for today, this is not the whole picture.<\/p>\n

Over the years I have come across a number of very rich Christians. Some of them are among the godliest and most committed believers I have known. As we have seen in the New Testament passage today, their riches are not necessarily a sign of God\u2019s blessing \u2013 but neither are they something bad. The key thing is how you see your money, and what you do with it.<\/p>\n

Lord, help us to get the balance right in our teaching and in our lifestyle. May we never be guilty of condemning or judging those whom you have blessed with material prosperity. May we be generous and give freely and be willing to go hungry and thirsty, in rags and homeless if necessary, in order to serve you.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Pippa Adds<\/h2>\n
\n

Proverbs 19:13b<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.\u2019<\/p>\n

Before pointing out the mess any of my family may have made, I do think about this verse. I don\u2019t want to be accused of being a dripping tap!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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