I was taught early in my Christian walk (over 40 years ago) that I should love what God loves and hate what God hates. This is another way of saying that I should never call good, evil; or evil, good (Isaiah 5:20). In fact, the prophet Isaiah declares a “Woe” upon those who would do such things. So, imagine my surprise when I started to see notable American preachers release videos and messages with titles like: “Why I hate the Prosperity Gospel”, or “Why the Prosperity Gospel is an abomination”. Strong rebukes and words for the prosperity theme. Interestingly, some of these preachers have made millions on their book sales criticizing wealth and prosperity all the while increasing their own net worth. I find no small sense of irony in that reality.
The question really isn’t what my favorite preacher thinks about prosperity, but rather what God thinks about prosperity. I have already stipulated that preachers and people have twisted and convoluted all kinds of biblical precept, including prosperity. The question is no longer should we rebuke such error, but rather what truth is there for us to eagerly embrace. Martin Luther didn’t reject the concept of salvation upon hearing John Tetzel’s counterfeit message. Rather, Luther went back to the Scriptures and embraced what God had said on the subject. In like manner, I don’t “hate” the prosperity message or call it an “abomination”, but rather search the Scriptures to make sure I understand completely what God has said about prosperity and abundance.
Money, resources, and material goods are mentioned quite frequently in Scripture. At times in cautionary ways. At other times in desirous ways. I can find verses which seems to indicate that I should flee riches and other verses which tend to suggest I can acquire riches. How do I balance such themes without simply defaulting into the theme of my own choice and emphasis? Paul apparently crossed such a bridge as he wrote,
“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:12-13)
Those words are certainly true of our household. There have been days of incredible blessing and prosperity as well as days of incredible need and lack. How should I parse such seasons in the light of God’s Word?
Dr. Seuss, in his famous kids Christmas story, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, concludes the tale by showing us that despite every Who down in Whoville losing their presents (material goods), resources, and food, the true meaning of Christmas has something to do with the heart as they hold hands, gather around the city square, and sing a silly song. I understand that the story is a secular portrayal of selflessness, but the point I want to make is well served by this well-known story. Biblical prosperity must be understood in the context of first love. The issue is not so much whether money is good or evil, but rather it’s place in your life. The Scripture never tells us that money is evil. On the contrary, it is the LOVE of money which is the root of ALL KINDS OF EVIL (I Timothy 6:10).
The facts are that the Bible is full of characters who have done quite well for themselves financially (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Lot, David, Solomon, to name but a few). We can see parables in the Gospels which Jesus teaches that clearly demonstrates people prospering in various ways. There is the interesting juxtaposition that Jesus presents in the Parable of the Prodigal Son as the prodigal finds himself impoverished in the pig pen and being reminded that his father’s house has abundance for all. Even more astounding was Jesus’ remarks to when asked by Peter what was the point of their sacrifice for this mission and Jesus responds:
“Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.” (Mark 10:29-30)
Fascinating response is it not?
Certainly, Jesus is communicating a theme that is easily found in the Old Testament. Notice just a few I have posted below…
Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” (Psalm 35:27)
“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (Deuteronomy 8:18)
Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. (Psalm 34:9-10)
I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread. (Psalm 37:25)
And what Scripture do we comfort people with at nearly every funeral?
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)
God obviously has no issue with prosperity.
The issue God has is not the amount of your net worth, but rather the direction and priority of your LOVE. If you LOVE your net worth and bank statement, then you have an open door in your life to all kinds of evil. If instead, your LOVE the Lord your God with everything you have inside of you, then God delights in seeing you prosper and in abundance. These two realities can exist at the same time and indeed should.
I love the Lord and my household has served Him in abundance and abasement for over 40 years. HE is my Shepherd. I shall not want.
Again, I am not ashamed of prosperity…
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