Few people, I suspect, would argue with the declaration that God is their source. American Christians are great when it comes to the pronouncement of their faith. The challenge arrives when they are faced with the practicality of their (stated) faith. To better understand the nature of giving (and in turn prosperity), it is important to understand a group of people Paul emphasizes in 2 Corinthians (8:1-4; 9:6-10), which in his mind illustrates the connection between giving and prosperity.
Prosperity
NO LONGER ASHAMED OF PROSPERITY #16: The Spiritual Side of Your Money
I have enjoyed fielding several questions about prosperity from those who have been reading these articles. Those questions have helped me refine and expand some thoughts about how money works in our lives as believers. One of the questions revolved around the concept of Mammon (see Luke 16:9-13) and why it was referenced as such rather than simply saying the word, “money”? I have personally come to the conclusion that there is more at work with our money than simply a tool of transacting business. Money has a unique and special authority in most people’s lives. It has the capacity to make us do both incredibly generous things as well criminal things. It controls us at various levels of existence. We worry about it and have anxieties concerning it. Money may be a tool for navigating an economy, but it’s power far exceeds a wrench.
NO LONGER ASHAMED OF PROSPERITY #15: Key Concepts Concerning the Tithe
This may be the most helpful post in the series…
As I mentioned in the last post, my wife and I have been practicing tithers for close to 40 years. I think it is important to tell you that through those years we have generally been a very middle-class, American couple. We have no personal jets, do not drive a Rolls Royce, or have a 15,000 square foot home on the ocean. Not that there is anything intrinsically wrong with any of those things. If you can afford it and God has genuinely released you to purchase it, then there is no condemnation from me. For us, we have determined that great prosperity entails even greater responsibility, and our resources should go to more Kingdom expanding projects and needs. I mention our middle-class existence because I want to underscore that prosperity has purpose and the keys we have learned to tithing are meant to lead us to greater obedience and in turn greater favor.
NO LONGER ASHAMED OF PROSPERITY #14: The Door to Prosperity
This blog excursion started by sharing that my wife and I have been on a journey exploring and searching the genuine biblical precepts of prosperity. It is our journey. It is not an apologetic or defense for those ministries or teachers who may over emphasize the doctrine or present it with lack of precision. My guess is that this blog post in particular, will begin challenge some people’s thoughts on the matter.
I understand that there will be people who for various reasons resist and reject any thought of biblical prosperity. I understand that by the very nature of sharing a journey into a topic like this that apologetic moments present themselves which appear to be a defense. I guess that is inevitable and unavoidable to some extent. My intent is to simply present a testimony and account of things which we have either been reminded or received an epiphany concerning. The reader is, of course, at liberty to accept or reject what we discovered. Again, life unfolds, and fruit is revealed by the thousands of decisions we make in a lifetime.
I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; (Deuteronomy 30:19)
This brings me to the “tithe”.
NO LONGER ASHAMED OF PROSPERITY #13: How Does God Release Prosperity – WONDERS
As I have mentioned previously, prosperity is not a one “stream” event in people’s lives, but rather a merging of at least five resource rivers which can enlarge and financially bless God’s people. Much of prosperity can actually look quite natural and reasonable. For example, you are offered a great job opportunity based on your skills that pays exceptionally well. Perhaps you work exceedingly hard and hit the sales goal which gives you a bonus. These can be (and are) used by God in His Providence to enlarge His people. The same could be said of healing when physicians and health professionals work with you through medicines and therapies. These things most certainly can be used by God to assist His people in establishing a prosperous life. That said, there is a supernatural aspect to prospering (as well as healing) that must not be discounted.