12th December 2016

Gospel Of Prosperity

The Gospel of ProsperityRomans 1:10

One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. (New Living Translation)

The same verse from the(King James Version)

“Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.” 

This mention of the word “prosperous” is the first of the only four occurrences of the Greek word enodoo (meaning literally “good journey,” but translated “prosper” or “prosperous”) in the New Testament.

Here it is actually rendered “prosperous journey.”

It is obvious that Paul was not praying for his journey to prosper financially, for the next verse indicates his long desire had been for;

Romans 1:11

For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord.

However, the word has come to include any kind of prospering, as when Paul urged Christians in Corinth to provide financial help for other Christians in need.

1 Corinthians 16:2

On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.

 The term can also refer to physical and spiritual health. Its two other occurrences are in

3 John 1:2

I am writing to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth.

Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. (New Living Translation)

The same verse from the(King James Version)The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Unfortunately, certain teachers of these latter days have taken the biblical teaching of spiritual prosperity to mean financial prosperity, which they teach is the right of every Christian.

But this “prosperity gospel” is so clearly unscriptural that it is merely a testimony to the cupidity of the Christians who believe it.

1 Timothy 6:9 Paul warns

“They that |desire to| be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,”

And to whatever extent God does prosper us financially, it is strictly for the purpose of helping others, not to indulge ourselves.

1 Timothy 6:17-18Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.

 

 

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