I need to carefully lay some foundation. This may frustrate those who simply want to get to the “formula” for prospering or answer their one plaguing question. So be it. Prosperity and consecration go hand in hand. The Lord is cleaning and clearing the carnality and selfishness which has rooted itself in His Church. Be patient and teachable. These early lessons are important ones.
As Tracie and I started to dive again into the concept of prosperity, it started with a conviction to resource and fund several ministries we had come into contact. We have always been generous givers, but this time we were wanting to be able to conduit unusual sums of resources. We would be driving down the road and say to one another, “Wouldn’t it be great to have the means to stroke a check off to missionary “Jones” and just buy that truck they need for their mission assignment?” “Did you see that missionary who needed the building to teach those kids? I wish I could buy one for them.” “Did you hear that so and so is starting a church and they are needing money to renovate the space. Wouldn’t it be fun to be able to drop by anonymously and hand them a $40k check?” You may have noticed that ministry and Kingdom mandates need resources. Our desire for personal prosperity had a specific context. We desired to be conduits for the Kingdom mandate.
The starting place for prosperity is consecrating your desires. Are you looking to be a financial conduit or a container? I will have more to say later concerning those who simply have an eye for riches. The point for the moment is that God is looking for people who are a pipeline for disseminating finances. Many people, upon acquiring great wealth, simply build bigger barns and say, “Soul, take thine ease.” There is a judgment upon such motives. (Luke 12:19)
I will stipulate that the public teaching and demonstration of prosperity has been abused and misrepresented in more ways than can be illustrated. It is all too easy to search YouTube and find sermons which will make you groan and shake your head concerning prosperity, as well as stewardship lapses when it comes to God’s servants (and people in general). The avarice and greed of the 1980’s and 90’s set up the prosperity message for a very deserved critique. It was during this time of opulent expenditures and over the top spending that the phrase, “Prosperity Gospel” and “health, wealth, and prosperity” preacher became well established. I make no defense for such foolishness. When a concept is abused or misused, it deserves a hearty rebuke.
That said…
There needs to be some precision with regards to exactly what was wrong and what was right. I have never forgotten the aphorism I first heard from Bob Mumford who said (concerning any biblical precept), “Misuse plus abuse does not equal disuse.” People have and will continue to twist all sorts of biblical precepts into something unrecognizable to God. The protestant reformation (1517 AD) was arguably started by a Catholic Evangelist (John Tetzel) convoluting the concept of forgiveness, atonement, and salvation through the sale of indulgences. You have numerous Christological heresies being promoted through the first 4 centuries of the Christian Church. There have been grace heresies, faith heresies, holiness heresies, and the like. Any legitimate precept can be twisted for nefarious or selfish purposes.
And it hasn’t been strictly a professional, clergy problem. God’s people at large have been more than susceptible to the misuse and abuse of prosperity. People prosper through various means and unless they are consecrated to the will of God, almost invariably, lose their minds. How many people have you known which have prospered and upon receiving that great blessing suddenly purchased adult toys (jet skis, boats, multiple homes, etc.) and consequently slip out of church, avoid Christian fellowship, stumble into greed and into the worries of this world? I have personally seen God deliver people out of debilitating debt miraculously and then those same people turn in a month in disrespect to the Lord who helped them prosper and advance. I will say again, I stipulate that prosperity is a minefield to the unconsecrated. Acquiring and enjoying the blessings of God in this world is not evil or restricted, but the stewardship of our time, money, and service is the filter by which prosperity is handled.
If you prosper, will you be able to handle it righteously and steward it for the glory of God?
I have seen abuses, gimmicks, and manipulation in this area of prosperity teaching up close and personal. The 60 second clips from YouTube are only a small slice of the corruption. The key is not allowing the convolution or counterfeit teaching to drive you away from the legitimate, biblical reality. God prospers people for several reasons, but an important one is to resource His Kingdom purposes.
This is foundational concept number one…
Before you say your first “Amen” to prosperity…
Consecrate yourself to that end…
It’s not solely about your personal net worth…
It’s about your ability to conduit resources…
But let’s get back to the epithet…
Are you one of those “health, wealth and prosperity” ministers?
If you are asking, do I believe God can heal, favor, resource, and prosper His people? The answer is an unequivocable, “Yes.” I believe with all my heart that God is wanting His people to get this area right. He wants our hearts, motives, and perspectives positioned properly so we can experience His favor in what will be an unprecedented time of challenge for Americans.
Prosperity starts with believing that God wants to accomplish some things financially IN your life and THROUGH your life. You are not called solely to be a container for prosperity, but rather a conduit for it. In other words, if God can get it to you, can He get it through you? Could the Lord open up the heavens and release wealth to you and you be trusted to release that wealth where He directs? Would you be able to actually write the checks for Kingdom purpose and not only personal pleasure?
I know…
The answer is “yes” in this moment of anticipation…
But the consecration “contract” needs to be signed in advance…
No Comments