The greatest critiques concerning prosperity revolve around the concepts of equality, fairness, and spiritual condemnation. In other words, (say the critics), if it is God’s will to prosper His people then…
Why is there such a massive inequality of resources amongst believers?
Why do some people seem to prosper when equally righteous people are impoverished?
Can you really look at someone impoverished (especially a fellow believer) and really say they lack, “faith”?
Fair questions…
Lesson 6 is probably a good place to remind the reader that my personal pursuit of understanding prosperity accurately is not rooted in becoming a millionaire, so we have no more financial concerns. That pursuit would be so far beneath the calling and inheritance of a passionate, Jesus-follower. Our pursuit is rooted in how we might become conduits for Kingdom resources and not simply containers.
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.
Prosperity and poverty are not easily defined. If the definitions are restricted to simply net worth or income ranges, it will miss the totality of how God defines it. For example, the US government defines the poverty line to be $12,760 for a single person. Each additional person in a family would add $4,480, so the poverty line for a family of 4 (in America) would be $26,200. There is no argument from me that the income level identified would make it super challenging to navigate the current American economy, perhaps impossible, for a family to experience a quality of life we have come to expect as Americans. However, allow me to use those numbers for a moment and give a broader perspective.
As I am contemplating the order of these prosperity lessons, I am feeling rushed to get you, the reader, to the “nuts and bolts” of how God defines and works prosperity in the life of His people. I want you to understand rapidly how this works and is released in order that you can quickly position yourself for the bumpy days ahead. My motive is to help you thrive in the midst of, and not simply weather, the coming storm. And while I believe my motives and intents are sincere and righteous, I also know that unless you embrace some initial wisdom, the actual precepts will do you little good.
