WE HAVE SEEN an extreme emphasis on material prosperity for Christians. Some believe it involves lavish lifestyles rather than being good stewards and efficiently harnessing abundant resources to minister God’s goodness to all who are in need.
GOD'S WORD PROVIDES BALANCE. Both the Old and New Testaments recognize God as the Creator and Possessor of all things (1 Chron. 29:11–14, 16; 1 Cor. 10:26, 28). Therefore, the PROPER ATTITUDE toward money, giving, and prosperity is one of WORSHIP and GRATITUDE.
The Epistles are letters written to the Church—to people trying to live their daily lives according to teachings of the Lord, just like you.
What the apostles have to say about money, giving, and prosperity is so obvious that it requires little commentary. The following 24 principles are clear and unmistakable.
You’ll want to read and study these over and over again!
- Believers are not able to give anything to God that did not originate with Him (Rom. 11:33–35).
- Some believers operate in a SPECIAL GRACE OF GIVING (Rom. 12:6–8).
- Believers are called upon to be DILIGENT IN BUSINESS (Rom. 12:11).
- Believers are called upon to be RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS (Rom. 13:6–8).
- Believers have a duty to MINISTER FINANCIALLY TO THOSE WHO HAVE SPIRITUALLY BLESSED THEM (Rom. 15:25–27; Gal. 6:6 PHILLIPS).
- MINISTERS have a right to be SUPPORTED FINANCIALLY by their work in the ministry (1 Cor. 9:4–15; 1 Tim. 5:17–18).
- LOVE MUST MOTIVATE the believer’s giving (1 Cor. 13:3).
- Christians should PRACTICE CONSISTENT AND SYSTEMATIC GIVING (1 Cor. 16:1–2).
- GIVING IS A "GRACE" that can be exercised in the midst of challenging circumstances (2 Cor. 8:1–9).
- God wants all of us to DO OUR PART and “carry our weight” in giving (2 Cor. 8:14–15).
- MINISTERS MUST BE ETHICAL AND ABOVE REPROACH in church finances (2 Cor. 8:20–21).
- Paul clearly teaches the LAW OF SOWING AND REAPING (2 Cor. 9:6–8; Gal. 6:7–9; Phil. 4:14–19).
- Paul SOUGHT PEOPLE'S HEARTS, not their money (2 Cor. 12:14–18).
- Paul was eager to GIVE TO THE POOR (Gal. 2:9–10).
- Paul and John encouraged CHRISTIAN CHARITY AMOUNG THE BRETHREN (Gal. 6:10; 1 John 3:17–18).
- Paul exemplified and taught a STRONG WORK ETHIC (Eph. 4:28, 6:5–8; Col. 3:22–24; 1 Thess. 2:9, 4:11–12; 2 Thess. 3:8–12).
- Paul ADVOCATED CONTENTMENT and DENOUNCED COVETOUSNESS (Phil. 4:11–13; Heb. 13:5; 1 Tim. 3:1–3, 8; Titus 1:7).
- Paul stressed the individual’s responsibility to PROVIDE FOR HIS FAMILY (1 Tim. 5:8).
- Believers are NOT TO LOVE OR TRUST IN MONEY (1 Tim 6:5–10, 17–19).
- Believers in the Early Church considered their MATERIAL POSSESSIONS OF MUCH LESS VALUE than their faith (Heb. 10:32–34).
- Believers were strongly warned AGAINST FAVORITISM AND PARTIALITY BASED ON WEALTH (James 2:1–7).
- EXPLOITATION of the poor by the rich IS CONDEMNED (James 5:1–6).
- "MAKING MERCHANDISE" of the saints by ministers is condemned (2 Peter 2:2–3, 12–16).
- GOD WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO PROSPER (3 John 1:2).
From these principles, it’s clear that God wants His children to prosper materially, physically, and spiritually. I pray these Bible principles selected from the Epistles will be helpful and encouraging.
Remember, the Epistles were written to you! Walking in the light of God’s Word will keep you balanced in the area of prosperity and every area of life.
Author
Kenneth E. Hagin
Share this Post