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.

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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”.

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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.

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This is the aspect of prosperity and the area that receives the most criticism. Pastors who preach and teach against the “prosperity message” will often times play the 3-minute YouTube clip of a television fundraising event of a ministry which illustrates an abuse or misuse of the Word to solicit donations. It smacks of manipulation, gimmickry, and scheming. I cannot defend it, nor will I try. That said, we can all dislike charlatans who twist Scripture to selfish ends, however one must still come to terms with the truth of God’s Word. Implementing His Word is the fourth prosperity “stream” that God uses to enlarge His people.

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