In case you haven't noticed, "contentment" is the theme that has been woven into this little series on prosperity. Just to make it clear - I'm not saying that an abundance of material possessions is wrong or bad. But I think that the words of Jesus and Paul are great reminders to us that Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.
Whether I’m rich or poor, I have Life and I have joy, peace, contentment... and that’s what life consists of. The happiness from my earthly possessions will end some day. It may be tomorrow, or it may be when I die. But my earthly possessions will go away. They’ll disappear; they’ll be burned up. But my joy comes from the Lord, and it’s eternal. Yes it’s fine to have plenty, and to be full, and to live in a mansion. But it’s also fine, and it’s not a sign of a lack of faith or a lack of the life of Christ in you if you’re hungry or if you don’t have many possessions. How much you have or don’t have is irrelevant!
I want something that's so much deeper as my source of prosperity. I don't just want temporary happiness. There's nothing wrong with temporary happiness, but if prosperity depends upon happiness that comes from earthly riches and circumstances, it's fleeting! No, I want something of more substance, that's everlasting. Whether full or hungry, with or without, naked or clothed, living in a mansion or on the streets - I want true prosperity. I want to be content no matter what my circumstances. As I said at the beginning (Part 1), I'm growing in this. Not fully arrived. But I'm growing more and more content as time goes on and my circumstances change day by day, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.
The pure gospel contains the message of true prosperity. The gospel is God’s righteousness revealed; it’s the good news of eternal life, of a spirit that was born dead to God and then made alive together with Him and is sitting together with Him in the heavenly places – whether the body that that spirit inhabits has many earthly possessions or not.
Prosperity - "a successful, flourishing, or thriving condition."
If I were to sum all this up, I would say that the secret to prosperity is to be content with whatever you have, and the secret to being content is daily appropriating Jesus' wise words that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions, and to daily appropriate the true riches that we do have in Christ, apart from our earthly riches or circumstances!
Now... live long and prosper!
(Sorry, couldn't resist!) ;)
The Secret of Prosperity Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4
Grace Roots Blog
Showing posts with label riches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label riches. Show all posts
Thursday, February 05, 2009
The Secret of Prosperity - Part 3 of 4
Being content with what you have doesn't mean that you can't ever have more possessions. It simply means that whether you have more or whether you have less, as far as your earthly riches are concerned, you’re content (happy, satisfied, filled, fulfilled, prospered). The secret to being content, as far as I've discovered it to be, is found in the fact that life does not consist in the wonderful things we have (or don't have). And also, that life does consist in joy and peace, love and other things that are found inwardly, not outwardly - things that can remain fully in tact no matter what our circumstances. I believe true abundant life and prosperity is found inwardly, no matter what our outward circumstances.
As we look at the lives of various people in the Bible, we find people of faith who had and abundance and people of faith who had very little. As far as God's blessings of abundant life go, earthly riches are irrelevant! Some say that Abraham, "the father of our faith," was a very rich man... so shouldn't we - people of faith - have the same blessings as Abraham? Well, what about the Person by whose faith we live? - Jesus. ("I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Gal 2:20 KJV). Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2) had nowhere to lay His head (Matt 8:20).
Look at the "great cloud of witnesses" in Hebrews 11. None of the people listed there were acclaimed for any worldly prosperity that came as a result of their faith! They sure did some wonderful things, but worldly prosperity, or lack thereof, had nothing to do with any of what they were recognized for doing. And lets look to some more words from the writer of Hebrews. He wrote: "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'" (Heb 13:5-6).
Paul wrote similar words of advice to Timothy: "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Tim 6:6-10).
I don't mean to imply that I think that everyone who thinks that the gospel of Christ includes worldly wealth and prosperity, believes so because they are greedy, covetous, or are falling into a snare with harmful lusts which drown them in destruction and perdition. However, that could very well be the case for some. But my main point is that earthly riches and blessings are not what the gospel of Christ is about.
The Secret of Prosperity Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4
As we look at the lives of various people in the Bible, we find people of faith who had and abundance and people of faith who had very little. As far as God's blessings of abundant life go, earthly riches are irrelevant! Some say that Abraham, "the father of our faith," was a very rich man... so shouldn't we - people of faith - have the same blessings as Abraham? Well, what about the Person by whose faith we live? - Jesus. ("I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Gal 2:20 KJV). Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2) had nowhere to lay His head (Matt 8:20).
Look at the "great cloud of witnesses" in Hebrews 11. None of the people listed there were acclaimed for any worldly prosperity that came as a result of their faith! They sure did some wonderful things, but worldly prosperity, or lack thereof, had nothing to do with any of what they were recognized for doing. And lets look to some more words from the writer of Hebrews. He wrote: "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'" (Heb 13:5-6).
Paul wrote similar words of advice to Timothy: "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Tim 6:6-10).
I don't mean to imply that I think that everyone who thinks that the gospel of Christ includes worldly wealth and prosperity, believes so because they are greedy, covetous, or are falling into a snare with harmful lusts which drown them in destruction and perdition. However, that could very well be the case for some. But my main point is that earthly riches and blessings are not what the gospel of Christ is about.
The Secret of Prosperity Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
The Secret of Prosperity - Part 2 of 4
I believe that through the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are meant to have prosperity and an abundant life. By prosperity I mean "a successful, flourishing or thriving condition." Let's look briefly at some of the true universal benefits of the gospel/abundant life (given liberally to all who believe). Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control (the fruit of the Spirit - Gal 5:22-23). "The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom 14:17). This list is really only the beginning, but is all of this not enough for some?! The true blessings of the gospel are all and everything that we need, for now and for eternity!
The secret of prosperity, as I've come to know it, is being content with what we have, whether we have an abundance of earthly possessions or not. Whether we have a lot of money or not. Whether we have a new car or an old beater. Whether we live in a mansion or an old shack. This is not "small thinking." To me, this is getting to the root of true prosperity! Am I the only one who feels this way? I know I'm not! The Apostle Paul's epistles are chock full of the truth of the gospel, and not once did he say that a benefit of the gospel is worldly prosperity! In fact, this great gospel expositor made a great case for being content (feeling happy, satisfied, filled, fulfilled, prospered) no matter what we have or don't have!
After showing how he was thankful to the Lord for providing for him through the Philippians, he said, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:11-13). This doesn't sound like a man who looked at earthly riches as a benefit of Christ's gospel and of being a beloved child of God.
I truly think that the secret to true prosperity in Christ is found in all of this. It's something that Paul had learned. As an apostle, and as God's messenger to so many places and so many people with the message of the gospel of grace and peace, Paul had been through a lot of stuff! He knew what he was talking about. The man knew the gospel! He didn't go around saying, "Through the gospel and through all my experiences, I have learned that because I'm God's child He wills to bless me abundantly with all kinds of wonderful things." What he had actually learned was that no matter what his circumstances, he was perfectly blessed and he could do all things through Christ who gave him strength.
Jesus Himself revealed the 'secret' of true prosperity. The very same Jesus who said, "I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly" (John 10:10) also said, "a man's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions" (Luke 12:15) and "do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves to not break in and steal." I don't take any of this to mean that a person can't have earthly possessions, or even an abundance of possessions. But when putting all of this together, it seems to me that true prosperity and abundant life does not consist of how much we have or don't have here on earth.
The secret is found in knowing all that we do have in Christ - and it's A LOT - and in being content (feeling happy, satisfied, filled, fulfilled, prospered) no matter what our earthly circumstances.
The Secret of Prosperity Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4
The secret of prosperity, as I've come to know it, is being content with what we have, whether we have an abundance of earthly possessions or not. Whether we have a lot of money or not. Whether we have a new car or an old beater. Whether we live in a mansion or an old shack. This is not "small thinking." To me, this is getting to the root of true prosperity! Am I the only one who feels this way? I know I'm not! The Apostle Paul's epistles are chock full of the truth of the gospel, and not once did he say that a benefit of the gospel is worldly prosperity! In fact, this great gospel expositor made a great case for being content (feeling happy, satisfied, filled, fulfilled, prospered) no matter what we have or don't have!
After showing how he was thankful to the Lord for providing for him through the Philippians, he said, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:11-13). This doesn't sound like a man who looked at earthly riches as a benefit of Christ's gospel and of being a beloved child of God.
I truly think that the secret to true prosperity in Christ is found in all of this. It's something that Paul had learned. As an apostle, and as God's messenger to so many places and so many people with the message of the gospel of grace and peace, Paul had been through a lot of stuff! He knew what he was talking about. The man knew the gospel! He didn't go around saying, "Through the gospel and through all my experiences, I have learned that because I'm God's child He wills to bless me abundantly with all kinds of wonderful things." What he had actually learned was that no matter what his circumstances, he was perfectly blessed and he could do all things through Christ who gave him strength.
Jesus Himself revealed the 'secret' of true prosperity. The very same Jesus who said, "I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly" (John 10:10) also said, "a man's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions" (Luke 12:15) and "do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves to not break in and steal." I don't take any of this to mean that a person can't have earthly possessions, or even an abundance of possessions. But when putting all of this together, it seems to me that true prosperity and abundant life does not consist of how much we have or don't have here on earth.
The secret is found in knowing all that we do have in Christ - and it's A LOT - and in being content (feeling happy, satisfied, filled, fulfilled, prospered) no matter what our earthly circumstances.
The Secret of Prosperity Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4
The Secret of Prosperity - Part 1 of 4
Prosperity - "a successful, flourishing, or thriving condition." Jesus said the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but that He came that people may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. This isn't just for some future time when we die and go to heaven. It's now. So who doesn't want this prosperous, abundant life! Everybody does!
I believe I've found the secret to prosperity, and while I've not yet fully "arrived," I've been growing in it for several years. To get to this place of growing in prosperity and the abundant life, I've gone through a gradual mindset change over a long period of time. I've learned who I am in Christ through God's grace and His gift of righteousness. I've studied the lives of others, including biblical characters and people I know, who seem to have this prosperity that I'm after.
I just heard the song "Woman" by John Lennon on the radio yesterday. In the song, John sings that he is thankful to his woman - Yoko Ono - for many things, including "for showing me the meaning of success." Lennon had great wealth and fame as a member of the Beatles. Do you think that's what Yoko had pointed out to him in order to show him the meaning of success in his life? Of course not. Perhaps through his relationship with her something shifted in his mind to show him that that's not what true prosperity ("a successful, flourishing, or thriving condition") was all about.
So what is it all about? (Especially in regards to our life in Christ). What is the abundant life and prosperity all about? Is it about earthly wealth? In other words, when Christ said He came to give us life to the full - even in this life on earth - was He talking about us getting a better car, a better paying job, a better house, and other material possessions such as those?
Like I said, I believe I've found the secret to true prosperity - but it's not really all that much of a secret! For many, I think it's simply a matter of a shifting from thinking one way to thinking another way. Isn't that really what "growing in grace" involves? In Christ, God has already given us everything we need - we are lacking in nothing - and we spend a lifetime of "growing" in understanding and appropriating the truth of what is already ours!
Since we already have all we need, I've found that the secret to prosperity in the Christian life is - are you ready for it?
Being content. Being content is a wonderful state of being. "Content" is a wonderful word. It means "satisfied." ("Satisfied" means happy, filled, gratified, fulfilled). A fuller meaning of "content" would be "satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else." God has already given us a lot! If you believe that in Christ you already have everything you need and that you need nothing more, then you are content - and I believe this is the secret of true prosperity.
The Secret of Prosperity Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4
I believe I've found the secret to prosperity, and while I've not yet fully "arrived," I've been growing in it for several years. To get to this place of growing in prosperity and the abundant life, I've gone through a gradual mindset change over a long period of time. I've learned who I am in Christ through God's grace and His gift of righteousness. I've studied the lives of others, including biblical characters and people I know, who seem to have this prosperity that I'm after.
I just heard the song "Woman" by John Lennon on the radio yesterday. In the song, John sings that he is thankful to his woman - Yoko Ono - for many things, including "for showing me the meaning of success." Lennon had great wealth and fame as a member of the Beatles. Do you think that's what Yoko had pointed out to him in order to show him the meaning of success in his life? Of course not. Perhaps through his relationship with her something shifted in his mind to show him that that's not what true prosperity ("a successful, flourishing, or thriving condition") was all about.
So what is it all about? (Especially in regards to our life in Christ). What is the abundant life and prosperity all about? Is it about earthly wealth? In other words, when Christ said He came to give us life to the full - even in this life on earth - was He talking about us getting a better car, a better paying job, a better house, and other material possessions such as those?
Like I said, I believe I've found the secret to true prosperity - but it's not really all that much of a secret! For many, I think it's simply a matter of a shifting from thinking one way to thinking another way. Isn't that really what "growing in grace" involves? In Christ, God has already given us everything we need - we are lacking in nothing - and we spend a lifetime of "growing" in understanding and appropriating the truth of what is already ours!
Since we already have all we need, I've found that the secret to prosperity in the Christian life is - are you ready for it?
Being content. Being content is a wonderful state of being. "Content" is a wonderful word. It means "satisfied." ("Satisfied" means happy, filled, gratified, fulfilled). A fuller meaning of "content" would be "satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else." God has already given us a lot! If you believe that in Christ you already have everything you need and that you need nothing more, then you are content - and I believe this is the secret of true prosperity.
The Secret of Prosperity Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The gift of God
Eph 2:4-10
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
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