One of the most destructive and erroneous theologies crippling the church is that of financial moderation. It was okay for God to bless the Jews as part of the Old Covenant but as Christians, we should not want to prosper too much. Ours are only spiritual blessings…
Yes, the so-called Faith movement started to scratch at this heresy and took it in the neck. Mocked openly as those 'prosperity teachers,' satan made sure the status quo was maintained. Throw in a little 'it's not humble, or it's not godly,' and most respectable Christians won't touch it.
Then there’s the poverty lie. Think about poverty…babies dying with distended stomachs, girls selling themselves to feed their families…horrid, wretched poverty. Do we really think this is God’s will for His beloved children?
Mainstream denominations finally compromised a little by backpedalling to 'Okay, you can prosper a little, but not too much. It's not godly to prosper too much.'
As I am sick of these crippling lies, I have several comments on this topic. Take them or leave them, but remember…they’re all right from the Word.
1) Grafted In
First, we are grafted into Israel [Romans 11] and blessed with Abraham, the believer [Galatians 3:9]
We're redeemed from the curse of the Law [Galatians 3:13] but the promises—the blessings—are all ours in Christ!
2 Corinthians 1:20 says 'For as many as are the promises of God, IN HIM they are yes.' All of the promises, including the many promises of financial abundance, wealth and riches.
Look at the Patriarchs of the Old Covenant. Not poor, not even just moderately well-to-do. Rich. Really, really rich.
2) The Temple of God
When you've got nothing to do, read about the tabernacle built in the wilderness and later, the temple Solomon built in Jerusalem.
These were not little shacks, folks. They were the earthly dwelling places of the Most High God and they were glorious.
Guess what? We are now the temple of God. I don't think He wants to live in a shack here, either. [1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19]
3) Wise Men
When Jesus was born, God provided abundantly for Him and His family. Wise men came and gifted Him with gold, frankincense and myrrh—all costly, extravagant gifts.
While tradition says there were three, no number is actually given in the Biblical account. Instant, massive wealth, conferred in a moment.
4) Rich Women
We're told of only one officer among Jesus disciples—the treasurer. Obviously, a treasurer is not necessary unless the cash flow is significant. Significant enough for him to steal from and not be missed...
Where did this money come from? We're told that many women contributed to their support out of the private means. [Luke 8:3] Once again, God provided liberally.
5) Grace
'For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich (wealthy, abounding in material resources), yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich (to have abundance, of outward possessions, richly supplied).' [2 Corinthians 8:9; New Testament Greek Lexicon]
Usually explained away as spiritual wealth only—the original Greek words do not support this error.
6) All Things
All things is a pretty big theme in the Bible, but because of religious and cultural heresies, we just don’t see it, even when we read it. Jesus used the phrase many times…if you don’t believe me, do the homework.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” [Matthew 6:33]
Thank God we’ve already been transferred to His kingdom already and made the righteousness of God in Him! [Colossians 1:13, 2 Corinthians 5:21]
“With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” [Matthew 19:26]
“And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” [Matthew 21:22]
‘And Jesus said to him, “If You can? All things are possible to him who believes.”’ [Mark 9:23]
“Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.” [Mark 11:24]
‘He Who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all—how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? [Romans 8:32]
‘…for all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.” [1 Corinthians 3:21-23]
‘Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us EVERYTHING pertaining to LIFE and GODLINESS, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.’ [2 Peter 1:2-4]
And here’s one more that will really cramp your brain…
“Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and a glad heart, for the abundance of ALL THINGS, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in the lack of all things; and He will put an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you.’ [Deuteronomy 28: 47,48]
Thank God we’re redeemed from that particular curse of the Law [Galatians 3:13], but please note God’s original intention!
Anyway, the study of all things in the Word would need to be fairly exhaustive…I just picked out some of the really good parts for you to enjoy here.
7) The Lord's Prayer
Jesus prayed that God's will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Read descriptions of Heaven sometimes. Not a slum, and you're living in a mansion. And they pave their streets with gold. I wonder just how bright that is?
8) Ambassadors
2 Corinthians 5:20 says that we are ambassadors for Christ.
Think about the metaphor. An ambassador is not a citizen of the country he or she is living in...they are not subject to the laws of that country and are not supported by that country. They are fully and lavishly supported by their home country.
In fact, it is imperative that they represent the power and might of their home nation—even the poorest country's ambassadors live in beautiful mansions.
Why? To show the glory of the nation...to prove its substance and and wealth to other nations.
Romans 12:2 puts it like this: '...so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.'
An ambassador represents the will of his or her home and demonstrates the power and glory of that nation. We are citizens of heaven, of God's own household.
9) Overflow
Don't be fooled. God is not a God of moderation, He is a God of abundance, overflow, extravagance. If you don’t believe that, look what He showed Abraham, our father in the faith…children like grains of sand and stars in the sky. That’s a lot, people.
Read Psalm 23—He pours until the cup is running over. Don't you think He'd know enough to stop before it spilled over? Hmmm...
Hebrews 9:12 says that Jesus entered the holy place ONCE FOR ALL, having obtained ETERNAL redemption. He paid for every sin, every disease, every failure ONCE FOR ALL! Even the sins you haven’t thought about yet. Now that’s extravagance…
10) As He Is
1 John 4:17 tells us that ‘…as He is, so also are we in this world.’
I’ve saved the best for last—as He is, not as he was, walking on the earth, but as He is, present tense, seated at the right hand of God!
How is that possible? We’re in two places…on the earth, and seated IN HIM in heavenly places. [Ephesians 2:6]
But guess what: He’s in two places, as well! Seated at the Father’s right hand AND dwelling in a physical body on the earth—the church!
Consider these scriptures:
‘For of His fullness we have ALL received, and grace upon grace.’ [John 1:16]
‘For in Him ALL THE FULLNESS OF DEITY dwells in BODILY form, and in Him YOU HAVE BEEN MADE COMPLETE, and He is the head over all rule and authority…’ [Colossians 2:9,10]
The Greek word for complete in this verse is pleroo—to fill to the full, to the brim, to render perfect, to MAKE COMPLETE IN EVERY PARTICULAR!
Then of course there are these to consider:
‘…and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow [or joint] heirs with Christ…’ [Romans 8:17]
‘But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one Spirit with Him.’ 1 Corinthians 6:17
Hallelujah!! I feel like screaming and jumping up and down!!
As He is, so also are we IN THIS WORLD!! And that ain’t poor, my brothers and sisters! It’s not sick or depressed, either…
A Start
There's so much more, but this is a beginning, something to meditate on. Take the blinders off and see what the Word really says. And while you’re at it, consider Isaiah 60 & 61, in light of our dual status as kings and priests. That will really blow your mind!
Stingy is not His MO. Believe it—His will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.
Hallelujah!!
