Hot Ones: The Prosperity Gospel

Prosperity

We continue our HOT ONES series regarding hot button topics within the Church. Today, our Creative Pastor, Danny Lee, brought a word pertaining to the prosperity gospel. When we talk about generosity in our lives, there should be a portion that you earn that should be given back to the House of God. However, we don’t give to get, we give as a way of worshipping our God. We need to have a mindset that even if God doesn’t bless me, I am still going to give because of who God is and what He has done for me. This is referential worship.

"Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year." Deuteronomy 14:22 NIV

Pastor Danny talked about three different camps that people within the church reside in - where they place their tents and choose to stay there.

CAMP ONE: NAME IT, CLAIM IT

This camp has hints of biblical principles, however, the Word of God is twisted to benefit oneself. These people take scripture out of context to use for self-gain (Luke 6:38). People in this camp essentially have a self-entrusted investment. They give to get instead of investing into their future and trusting God in the process.

CAMP TWO: LACK

Lack is a mindset rooted in a spirit, and that is the spirit of mammon. It's always looking at what you don’t have and making excuses as to why you can’t give or be generous. It's half truths, full lies. It tries to control your every move and take hold of every part of your life. The spirit of mammon binds your faith with the chains of lack. But the way to break the spirit of mammon is simple generosity.

FINAL CAMP: PROSPERITY

The gospel of Jesus Christ is full of prosperity. Jesus is full of righteousness. Jesus didn’t just come to die for your sins, He came to fulfill the law as well. We became coheirs with God when we accept Jesus and turn away from our selfish ways. Only when we give with pure hearts, God says, “I can bless that." But we must open our hands and look at wealth and success as an opportunity to bless those around us.

How should we live our lives? By obeying the Word of God.

"If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God. [...] 12The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom." Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 12-13 (NIV)

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