Those BLESSING teaching ministries!!

afaithfulone4u · Jan 13, 2013

It has always been taught that the church is supposed to be broke and in need in order to be walking properly with God. But is that TRUTH? Weren't the people of God blessed in every way? Isn't it the curse that keeps us poverty stricken, diseased, sick, in famine, in constand need but never enough? Doesn't the Word of God say that to give is better than to receive? How can one give if they don't even have enough for their needs? We are called to be the BLESSED Seed of Abraham not the cursed of Adam. This entire earth belongs of OUR FATHER and it was given to HIS Children to enjoy.
Many think if you have a lot of money that this proves you are greedy and in idolatry... but is this the case? Do you know that you can have just two mites to your name and if you hold on to it SAYING this is ALL I have to live on, I can't give that away then what will I do?.. that you have just proved that you do care more for yourself than others, it also proves that you do not put your faith in God but in your two cents worth, it also proves that you are in idolatry for you believe that your two cents is going to save your life because it is more important to you to walk by faith in what you see in your hand, over what God has promised in His Word to do for givers.
Many ministries are teaching that those who put their trust in God and in His Word shall be Blessed. They are ridiculed for this by the ungodly world and even those who call themselves believers. I understand why the ungodly say it, for they don't want to part with the things that they have back to their rightful owners which are the children of God whom the earth was given to have dominion. All the gold and silver are mine and the cattle are mine says God whom we in Christ are joint-heirs, right??

So, just what is this verse revealing to us?
Luke 13:34-35
34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
KJV

We have always thought it meant that Jesus will come back when the Jews say that blessed is their Messiah who comes in the name of the Lord. But is that what it really reveals to us?
Doesn't it say that we shall not see HIM again... Until the TIME COME WHEN they begin to teach blessed are those who come in the name of Jesus, meaning who adhere to the Word and abide in the Word and teach other's the Word.. that is who the he that will be blessed and we are in the day that they are teaching this.. that is when he shall return.The body of Christ is who we are, the One new man whom have been growing, formed in the womb of our mother heavenly Jerusalem to be in the image of Christ and since he is our head, that makes us male rather we are Jew or Gentile, male or female, the head of the body is Christ.

So we should be expecting his return for his holy body at any moment!
There is nothing wrong with believing that you are to be blessed, for God said it and I believe it because I take God at HIS WORD/CHRIST.
God is not a way to profit.... we must come through the Door by FAITH in God and learn the keys to God ways of righteousness if we plan to every see our heaven in this life and the life to come by entering the kingdom of God and sit at His table as a child of God feeding on the Bread of life, Word of life, Tree of life by the Spirit of life. The funny thing about this, is that the blessing which is really the gospel of the kingdom has been available All along, we just did not understand what Jesus meant by taking the GOOD NEWS to the poor,naked, hurting, and hungry and thirsty... we just kept feeding them the natural bread putting physical clothes on them and keeping them living in the carnal nature under the curse. But now the scriptures are being opened up to us for it is the last days before the womb is shut!
God's people are blessed first internally, then the outwardly appears.
Blessings

Axehead · Jan 13, 2013

afaithfulone4u said:
It has always been taught that the church is supposed to be broke and in need in order to be walking properly with God. But is that TRUTH? Weren't the people of God blessed in every way? Isn't it the curse that keeps us poverty stricken, diseased, sick, in famine, in constand need but never enough? Doesn't the Word of God say that to give is better than to receive? How can one give if they don't even have enough for their needs? We are called to be the BLESSED Seed of Abraham not the cursed of Adam. This entire earth belongs of OUR FATHER and it was given to HIS Children to enjoy.
Many think if you have a lot of money that this proves you are greedy and in idolatry... but is this the case? Do you know that you can have just two mites to your name and if you hold on to it SAYING this is ALL I have to live on, I can't give that away then what will I do?.. that you have just proved that you do care more for yourself than others, it also proves that you do not put your faith in God but in your two cents worth, it also proves that you are in idolatry for you believe that your two cents is going to save your life because it is more important to you to walk by faith in what you see in your hand, over what God has promised in His Word to do for givers.
Many ministries are teaching that those who put their trust in God and in His Word shall be Blessed. They are ridiculed for this by the ungodly world and even those who call themselves believers. I understand why the ungodly say it, for they don't want to part with the things that they have back to their rightful owners which are the children of God whom the earth was given to have dominion. All the gold and silver are mine and the cattle are mine says God whom we in Christ are joint-heirs, right??

So, just what is this verse revealing to us?
Luke 13:34-35
34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
KJV

We have always thought it meant that Jesus will come back when the Jews say that blessed is their Messiah who comes in the name of the Lord. But is that what it really reveals to us?
Doesn't it say that we shall not see HIM again... Until the TIME COME WHEN they begin to teach blessed are those who come in the name of Jesus, meaning who adhere to the Word and abide in the Word and teach other's the Word.. that is who the he that will be blessed and we are in the day that they are teaching this.. that is when he shall return.The body of Christ is who we are, the One new man whom have been growing, formed in the womb of our mother heavenly Jerusalem to be in the image of Christ and since he is our head, that makes us male rather we are Jew or Gentile, male or female, the head of the body is Christ.

So we should be expecting his return for his holy body at any moment!
There is nothing wrong with believing that you are to be blessed, for God said it and I believe it because I take God at HIS WORD/CHRIST.
God is not a way to profit.... we must come through the Door by FAITH in God and learn the keys to God ways of righteousness if we plan to every see our heaven in this life and the life to come by entering the kingdom of God and sit at His table as a child of God feeding on the Bread of life, Word of life, Tree of life by the Spirit of life. The funny thing about this, is that the blessing which is really the gospel of the kingdom has been available All along, we just did not understand what Jesus meant by taking the GOOD NEWS to the poor,naked, hurting, and hungry and thirsty... we just kept feeding them the natural bread putting physical clothes on them and keeping them living in the carnal nature under the curse. But now the scriptures are being opened up to us for it is the last days before the womb is shut!
God's people are blessed first internally, then the outwardly appears.
Blessings

that kind of thinking has led many to to judge other brethren who may be poor outwardly (yet rich inwardly towards God) as weak in faith. Do you think Christians who are poor are not blessed? Is your definition of blessing, one who has and abundance of money and possessions? Don't you think that is a superficial way to look at things. How do you gauge if someone else is "rich towards God?"

Luk_12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Giv

biggandyy · Jan 13, 2013

I am a poverty stricken SOB but would you consider me poor in spirit? You may disagree with my theology but do view me as poor in faith? Some of you will since you may equate disagreement with your POV as a destitute faith...

KingJ · Jan 13, 2013

Bad Christian: Hold God at gunpoint on scripture

. Jesus made me perfect, God is now my sugar-daddy.
Good Christian: Ask God the Father politely with no expectation. As Jesus His own Son, got on His knees and said, 'Not my will, but yours be done'. Jesus was not rich and His flesh suffered terribly when He was beaten and crucified.

Bad Christian: Jesus died with an expensive robe on Him, one fitting for a King.
Good Christian: They put a robe on Him to mock Him. Jesus rode into down on a donkey and was born in a manger. Hardly fitting for a King.

We are on earth to DO GOD'S WILL. Whatever it is for us. If we judge ourselves to be 'In Christ' He can take us to hell and back and we must like Job, hang in there.
When we are in heaven, then we can ''live for ourselves''. In HEAVEN we will all be RICH, perfectly HEALTHY and able to go on holiday to Israel / bahamas, Hawaii (in the millennium) for 6 months-year if we wish

. Our bodies are temporal and it may not be in God's plan for us to reach the rich. God keeps His church going. I don't believe churches should battle as we should give a decent percentage regularly for support.

If any Christian thinks they are living for themselves, they need to read the account of the rich man, Mark 10:17-25.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

IanLC · Jan 13, 2013

I believe that as we are blessed we are to bless. If the Lord Jesus has blessed you with wealth and vast riches be humble and freely give. For it is not a crime nor sin against God to have wealth. And we are to and should bless our leaders and those who labor above us and with us in the work of the Lord! If you are not where you would like to be in your finances give to where you are able. There is nothing wrong with not having wealth or wanting to grow financially. But in all things and socio-economic conditions seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). The greatest blessings in this life come from having a rich and wealthy spirit. We are wealthy because we are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ that is the greatest gift! Wealth, poverty and all will pass away and we will walk with Jesus and He will be our all in all!

afaithfulone4u · Jan 13, 2013

Axehead said:
that kind of thinking has led many to to judge other brethren who may be poor outwardly (yet rich inwardly towards God) as weak in faith. Do you think Christians who are poor are not blessed? Is your definition of blessing, one who has and abundance of money and possessions? Don't you think that is a superficial way to look at things. How do you gauge if someone else is "rich towards God?"

Luk_12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Giv

Oh, not at all, you do not become wealthy just by reading the Bible, I am not rich but I am never in need, yet I understand God's Word and I believe this:
Matt 6:31-33
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek

for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
KJV
3 John 2
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
KJV
Was Abraham become rich by walking by Faith in God? Yes he was very rich for God made him rich. Do you know of any king who's children are poverty stricken? The difference between God's way and the worlds ways is that God is a rewarder of those who seek Him and abide in His Word that teaches us to walk righteously, while the worlds way is to out do your competition no matter what it takes to make it to the top.
Jesus was rich, but became poor to be our example. And that example is that all son's must begin at the foundation and work UP, not start from the top just because they claim God as their Father. He is no respector of persons. As we prosper in our souls spiritually, then God is able to bless us physically. He does not reward us for evil as Satan does. Take a look at the only two times that Jesus every gave out physical needs to people. They first had to accept the spiritual meal to feed their soul, then they were asked to give up a physical thanksgiving offering from their treasures of all they had(two fish 5 loafs) and only THEN did God mulitply their little with more than enough
Forgive me if you misunderstood my post.
Blessings

BiggAndyy said:
I am a poverty stricken SOB but would you consider me poor in spirit? You may disagree with my theology but do view me as poor in faith? Some of you will since you may equate disagreement with you POV as a destitute faith...

Andy, I am not a wealthy person physically but I do want you to know that God does bless us according to our faith. Do you know that faith in God means to take Him at His Word/Christ? When God says that if you seek His kingdom and His righteousness that ALL OTHER THINGS shall be ADDED unto you.... Do you BELEIVE THIS AND RECEIVE THIS as Truth and for YOU? I do, but it does take a renewing of our minds to believe for something we can not see. But what did God say His people would be doing?
He said that the Just shall walk by faith and NOT BY SIGHT, meaning we may read God's promises to us, but untill you believe that they are FOR YOU just because God said it, even though you do not see a thing yet, you will not receive for they will not manifest with out FAITH that they are coming.
God says that Faith without works is dead, meaning if you say you believe God's Word's of promise.. then walk as if you do, step out in faith to take hold of your promises of God.
When God told the Israelites that HE WAS GIVING THEM THE PROMISED LAND, why did most of them not make it? Because they did not act on what God said, they could not take it because they believed what they saw(the giants) more that what God SAID"THAT HE WOULD BE WITH THEM AND GIVE IT TO THEM, all they needed to do is step out in FAITH and it would have been theirs. We are not going to see our promised land until we step out in faith and believe God's promises and they start by obedience to His Word.
If you read in the paper that there was a sale at Best Buy on Sunday for TV's at a 100.00, you would not even question it, you would just take THEIR WORD and be in line. Yet God has given us a Book full of His Promises for them who can believe, but we fail miserably at believng the One we claim to put our faith in. We really believe man's words over God's most of the time if we think about it. God said that Jesus took our infirmaties, but let a doctor say otherwise and we believe him over what God said, even though he is just a man with limited ability and we have seen NO PROOF of anything he is speaking over us.

Blessings

KingJ said:
Bad Christian: Hold God at gunpoint on scripture . Jesus made me perfect, God is now my sugar-daddy.
Good Christian: Ask God the Father politely with no expectation. As Jesus His own Son, got on His knees and said, 'Not my will, but yours be done'. Jesus was not rich and His flesh suffered terribly when He was beaten and crucified.

Bad Christian: Jesus died with an expensive robe on Him, one fitting for a King.
Good Christian: They put a robe on Him to mock Him. Jesus rode into down on a donkey and was born in a manger. Hardly fitting for a King.

We are on earth to DO GOD'S WILL. Whatever it is for us. If we judge ourselves to be 'In Christ' He can take us to hell and back and we must like Job, hang in there.
When we are in heaven, then we can ''live for ourselves''. In HEAVEN we will all be RICH, perfectly HEALTHY and able to go on holiday to Israel / bahamas, Hawaii (in the millennium) for 6 months-year if we wish . Our bodies are temporal and it may not be in God's plan for us to reach the rich. God keeps His church going. I don't believe churches should battle as we should give a decent percentage regularly for support.

If any Christian thinks they are living for themselves, they need to read the account of the rich man, Mark 10:17-25.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Let me just say that we are walking in our wilderness just a Jesus did, and the Hebrews did. We are being led there by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil just as Jesus was. We are in training, learning how to walk in the Word of God to find the keys to the kingdom. Heaven and hell begin on earth incase you have not noticed. God is allowing our testing because He is seeking children fit for His kingdom to be rulers. We are to be being transformed by the renewing of our minds through the Word and by the Spirit. Each person though they be a member of the body of Christ each grow spiritually in their own vessel. We pray for all the saints to come into unity into the fulness of Christ, but not all sad to say will be spiritually ready. If you are a child of the king, then you will be blessed as you grow in Christ aka The Word.
Luke 17:20-21
20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
KJV

UHCAIan said:
I believe that as we are blessed we are to bless. If the Lord Jesus has blessed you with wealth and vast riches be humble and freely give. For it is not a crime nor sin against God to have wealth. And we are to and should bless our leaders and those who labor above us and with us in the work of the Lord! If you are not where you would like to be in your finances give to where you are able. There is nothing wrong with not having wealth or wanting to grow financially. But in all things and socio-economic conditions seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). The greatest blessings in this life come from having a rich and wealthy spirit. We are wealthy because we are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ that is the greatest gift! Wealth, poverty and all will pass away and we will walk with Jesus and He will be our all in all!

I have read many of your resposes on other posts and I am in agreement with much of your understanding of things as with this one. But it most definetly is better to be spiritually rich NO arguement there. I would never exchange physical wealth for spiritual wealth... because I have found the pearl of wisdom which God says is greater than rubies or gold for God and His Word are everything!
Bless you my sister

Axehead · Jan 13, 2013

Many, if not most of the Servants of the Lord through the centuries were poor in material possessions but were blessed according to their faith in spiritual richness.

People always want to think that true blessings are riches.

Yes, UHCAlan, as we have been blessed we are to bless. Again, does not mean money, it means "as we have been blessed".

Have you been blessed with comfort, then comfort others. Have you been blessed with encouragement then encourage others. Have you been blessed with wisdom, then don't keep it to yourself. Can you exhort others in the word and just in practical matters, have you been shown mercy and if so can you show mercy to others.

If the Church would stop thinking that blessing means mammon, many more people would be edified. Did Paul have little faith? He certainly was poor!

Some of the richest people in faith and the love of Jesus that I have met have been poverty stricken.

Axehead

IanLC · Jan 13, 2013

Axhead, I agree with you. My point is that God uses all types of people wealthy and not. And having wealth itself is not evil and not having it is not a problem as well. My main goal is for people to seek the kingdom and righteousness first and let them know that other things shall come later and are of lesser value. Holiness is the standard! Yet God blesses with all things monetary and things of the Spirit. Our main desire should be for the things of the Spirit and if we are blessed with the natural things then we should bless as we are blessed!

biggandyy · Jan 13, 2013

af4u, you misread scripture. God will add exactly what to me if I am faithful? Do you mean this verse?

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

That tells me I should not be anxious for food or clothing, rather basic needs there. Surely I can trust the Lord for that! And even in times when our fridge was empty I was not anxious.

Or maybe it's this one?

"Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

No, I haven't seen any mountains walking about, so it musn't be a teaching for us to actively participate in.

How about this oldie but goodie?

And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

Again, no. The context is about pleasing God, not our wallets.

Oh, I got it. I forgot about this one, this one HAS to be the magic verse.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Rats, we have to ask according to HIS will, not our own. Shucks, I thought I was close.

Ok, here is the clincher, this one for sure!

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches by the Anointed Jesus.

Crap crap crap crap! God will meet my NEEDS, not my wants! But Gawwwwwd... I NEEEEEEED a 70 inch wide screen plasma TV!

No, the Prosperity Gospel, in my opinion, is a uniquely American invention to allow hucksters (and those playing in the shallow end of the theologic pool) to foist their wares on an equally scripturally low information Christian. I have no use for it because it is not of God but of our stomachs, eyes, and itching ears.

Axehead · Jan 14, 2013

UHCAIan said:
Axhead, I agree with you. My point is that God uses all types of people wealthy and not. And having wealth itself is not evil and not having it is not a problem as well. My main goal is for people to seek the kingdom and righteousness first and let them know that other things shall come later and are of lesser value. Holiness is the standard! Yet God blesses with all things monetary and things of the Spirit. Our main desire should be for the things of the Spirit and if we are blessed with the natural things then we should bless as we are blessed!

Yes, that is true, but I don't think the subject is regarding whether God uses poor or rich people. And I really don't like that word "use". Nothing personal to you because everyone has become use to characterizing our relationship with God as "God using us". But God is not so much interested in "using" people as He is in people "KNOWING" Him. It is then out of knowing Him that we are witnesses to the world of His love.

The religious system is all about programs and "using" people and we have to make sure we don't get caught up in that mindset. Any spirit-filled Christian abiding in Christ is going to be blessing others with what the Lord has blessed them. I don't even know why that would be a discussion.

In the Old Testament people used to equate riches with the blessing of the Lord, but Jesus set everyone straight on that.

Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Of course this shocked and amazed the disciples because their Jewish culture taught them that a man is extremely blessed of God if he is rich in material possessions. Jesus did go on to tell them that rich people could be saved. Poor people can be as covetous as rich people so rich people don't have a corner on that market. It's all about our heart and what we are trusting in.

Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

With God all things are possible. But, we should be careful because riches are a snare and it is easy for the heart to go after riches and even to be deceived into thinking that outward material riches are equated with God's blessings.

Great Sermon by David Wilkerson
The Dangers of the Gospel of Accomodation

Graceismine · Jan 14, 2013

Pro 22:16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.

I don't believe God is against Christians being wealthy. How they acquire their wealth could be a concern to Him.

Pro 22:22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;

I always see that wealth in the hands of Christians means that it is not being used in Satan's kingdom.

With God how we conduct our lives even stewardship of money must come down to a heart issue toward Him.

Axehead

We are 4 years on from Wilkerson's sermon and the church hasn't repented yet.

The Church Growth Movement spawned by the Emergent Church has taken root. Pastors are being deceived, even my own I hate to say. We love the programmes that are meant to appeal to the unbelievers to get them in to church under a non confrontational atmosphere .We can "Christianise" them once we have them under our roof.

The Church Growth Movement believes that our traditional faith and precious doctrines are out of touch with society and so they are moulding congregations into a new Christianity based on philosophical and psychological teachings..

Many Christians are unaware of what is happening under their noses because they haven't been properly grounded in the Word. Twenty years ago I was involved in the Word of Faith Movement (Prosperity Gospel). All it took was for Kenneth Copeland to use Scripture out of context and I bombed out quick. I am amazed that after all this time the prosperity movement has grown as fast and as far as it has.

There are many facets to what is happening in church movements these days and all I can say is we need to hold on tight to Jesus, pray for discernment and wisdom and do as the word I keep getting "STAND".

Jesus is our prosperity. Grace

KingJ · Jan 14, 2013

Col 2:8-10 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (We don’t need more faith! We are complete in faith when saved).

Afaithfulone4u, you keep going on about faith, but have you actually thought about what you are saying?

If faith of a mustard seed can move a mountain, how much faith for God to print paper money for us? I would say 1/1000th of a mustard seed. Now what takes more faith? Believing God can move a mountain or believing that God is. That God sent His Son to the cross some 2000 years ago. Believing that His death pays the price for all our sins and guarantees us an eternity in heaven. I CANNOT think of something that takes more faith then believing that we are eternally well off. When the Holy Spirit revealed Jesus to us, our faith went from a fraction of a mustard seed to a mountain. Christians live at an extremely HIGH level of faith.

You must realize that suggesting we must have more faith, apply scripture or whatever for His blessings, is extremely insulting!

God hears the prayers of His children. The only requirement to having your prayers heard is being a child. John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

You are not as bad as some, but you are still guilty of preaching positive thinking / confession, not Christianity.

afaithfulone4u said:
Let me just say that we are walking in our wilderness just a Jesus did, and the Hebrews did. We are being led there by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil just as Jesus was. We are in training, 1) learning how to walk in the Word of God to find the keys to the kingdom. 2) Heaven and hell begin on earth incase you have not noticed. God is allowing our testing because He is seeking children fit for His kingdom to be rulers. We are to be being transformed by the renewing of our minds through the Word and by the Spirit. 3) Each person though they be a member of the body of Christ each grow spiritually in their own vessel. 4) We pray for all the saints to come into unity into the fulness of Christ, but not all sad to say will be spiritually ready.5) If you are a child of the king, then you will be blessed as you grow in Christ aka The Word.
Luke 17:20-21
20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
KJV

I agree with italics and scripture, bot not the underlined.

1) We have found the only key to heaven and all God's blessing that we need in the grace of Jesus.
2) I have noticed hell, but heaven? :huh:.
3) True, but I think you are implying that we are not as qualified as another to get our prayers answered. God is a good parent. He answers the dumb, iliterate and nervous kids requests first.
4) You don't need to pray like that in light of Col 2:9,10. We should pray for saints to nurture their candles and carry their cross.
5) If you are a child of the king, then you will be 'looked after', full stop

.

Axehead · Jan 14, 2013

Graceismine said:
Pro 22:16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.

I don't believe God is against Christians being wealthy. How they acquire their wealth could be a concern to Him.

Pro 22:22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;

I always see that wealth in the hands of Christians means that it is not being used in Satan's kingdom.

With God how we conduct our lives even stewardship of money must come down to a heart issue toward Him.

Axehead

We are 4 years on from Wilkerson's sermon and the church hasn't repented yet.

The Church Growth Movement spawned by the Emergent Church has taken root. Pastors are being deceived, even my own I hate to say. We love the programmes that are meant to appeal to the unbelievers to get them in to church under a non confrontational atmosphere .We can "Christianise" them once we have them under our roof.

The Church Growth Movement believes that our traditional faith and precious doctrines are out of touch with society and so they are moulding congregations into a new Christianity based on philosophical and psychological teachings..

Many Christians are unaware of what is happening under their noses because they haven't been properly grounded in the Word. Twenty years ago I was involved in the Word of Faith Movement (Prosperity Gospel). All it took was for Kenneth Copeland to use Scripture out of context and I bombed out quick. I am amazed that after all this time the prosperity movement has grown as fast and as far as it has.

There are many facets to what is happening in church movements these days and all I can say is we need to hold on tight to Jesus, pray for discernment and wisdom and do as the word I keep getting "STAND".

Jesus is our prosperity. Grace

Hi Graceismine,

Unfortunately, many "churches" have become like a business and they are constantly developing programs in order to make the payers of the religious tax feel like they are getting good value for their money. They don't want to get fired so they are under pressure to "top" the church down the street. Too bad they don't just drop their labels and merge together with each other and also the 2 churches across the street.

Please take note, I said many churches. There are some churches that are not part of the religious system.

Axehead

afaithfulone4u · Jan 14, 2013

Axehead said:
Many, if not most of the Servants of the Lord through the centuries were poor in material possessions but were blessed according to their faith in spiritual richness.

People always want to think that true blessings are riches.

Yes, UHCAlan, as we have been blessed we are to bless. Again, does not mean money, it means "as we have been blessed".

Have you been blessed with comfort, then comfort others. Have you been blessed with encouragement then encourage others. Have you been blessed with wisdom, then don't keep it to yourself. Can you exhort others in the word and just in practical matters, have you been shown mercy and if so can you show mercy to others.

If the Church would stop thinking that blessing means mammon, many more people would be edified. Did Paul have little faith? He certainly was poor!

Some of the richest people in faith and the love of Jesus that I have met have been poverty stricken.

Axehead

Spiritual blessings means wholeness in all things, health, wealth, family, comfort, love, godly wisdom, good moral character, integrity etc... because it is the Spirit of God that gives us the wisdom of God so that we learn not to worship money nor seek the wealth that rots or theives can steal, but we have more than enough to cover all our needs and left overs to help others.
Do you believe that God wants His children to live sick, diseased, in famine, in DEBT to the devil or others to be held captive to them? NO, God wants us to live in peace, comfort, plenty to eat, nice clothes to wear, a nice home to cover our families.... BUT the problem with most of the world is that they do not depend on God for their needs, they do not seek His ways of justice and honesty and wisdom that teaches us how to treat others in life so that God is ABLE to bless us and not curse. They give all credit to themselves, their ability, their schooling, their contacts. But a child of God should be RESTING in the Lord for HIM to be their provider, for his favor in their life and His ability to make ways where there seems to be no way.
The Hebrews walked through their wilderness in the desert with nothing but the jewels and gold that God gave them FAVOR over their enemy to ask of them for these things so that they could BUILD UP the tabernacle. In a desert there is NOTHING TO BUY so the gold and silver are useless to our survival when there is no commidities available. They had to depend on God for food, water, clothing, shoes etc.... for 40 years.
That is what God is trying to get us to do... to have faith in HIM to be your provider, healer, protector not the hand of man, but the hand of God!
When I speak of blessings, I do not just mean God is going to dump money in our laps, but I do mean that when you truly have faith in His ability over man's, that you will never hunger, never thirst, will be healed and never die and depending on your spiritual growth.. you may be given wealth and riches in your house when you have grown up enough to understand the purpose of them.
When we first come to Christ we are as babes, knowing nothing of God but that we are a sinner in need of a new way of life and that Jesus died to save us from sin by making the Spirit of truth our helper available so that we can over come our animal nature of dog eat dog. At first as a babe who can only crawl on all fours, he carries us because we don't know how to walk UPRIGHT as a man in the Word yet. But as we begin to grow away from the milk of the Word to be able to chew MEAT, we begin to grow strong in the Spirit as son's of God and then is when our inheritance begins to become.
Gal 4:1-8
4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
KJV

Blessings

BiggAndyy said:
af4u, you misread scripture. God will add exactly what to me if I am faithful? Do you mean this verse?

That tells me I should not be anxious for food or clothing, rather basic needs there. Surely I can trust the Lord for that! And even in times when our fridge was empty I was not anxious.

Or maybe it's this one?

No, I haven't seen any mountains walking about, so it musn't be a teaching for us to actively participate in.

How about this oldie but goodie?

Again, no. The context is about pleasing God, not our wallets.

Oh, I got it. I forgot about this one, this one HAS to be the magic verse.

Rats, we have to ask according to HIS will, not our own. Shucks, I thought I was close.

Ok, here is the clincher, this one for sure!

Crap crap crap crap! God will meet my NEEDS, not my wants! But Gawwwwwd... I NEEEEEEED a 70 inch wide screen plasma TV!

No, the Prosperity Gospel, in my opinion, is a uniquely American invention to allow hucksters (and those playing in the shallow end of the theologic pool) to foist their wares on an equally scripturally low information Christian. I have no use for it because it is not of God but of our stomachs, eyes, and itching ears.

Do you know why Solomon was GIVEN wealth and riches by God? Because his first ambition was to judge men righteously. God seen that Solomon had already the right heart attitude and so He was free to give Solomon wealth. Yet we see that Solomon was defiled by woman in the end, for he put thier gods and desires before God who gave all things to Him.
Money will corrupt a man who does not have his priorities straight and God knows this. God and His Word must be first place. It is not money that is evil.. it is the LOVE of money that is!
Can I ask you, do you work? Do you seek raises? Do you look for ways to get money for yourself and your needs in life?
Now if you do, but you believe that God does not want you to have much money... do you consider seeking these things from a man's hand as going behind God's back to get your needs met?
You should, IF you claim God wants you poor and not to seek money or wealth which is what a better paying job, or posititon, or raise or extra income is. It is seeking money instead of the righteousness of God which is by FAITH IN HIS WORD.
Matt 4:4
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
KJV

Also I might add, that if you believe that money is against God, then God will not give you something that you believe He does not want you to have. As a man thinketh so is he.
God's will is His Word. The Bible is full of promises of prosperity for His children. See you consider that I am saying to seek wealth, but I am saying to seek God's way of doing things and THEN He will be able to bless you. Those who teach prosperity CORRECTLY are trying to renew our mindset that has been instilled in the body of Christ that we are to be struggling in life. But our struggles will be spiritual battles that we must fight within ourselves to overcome the strong man who keeps us walking in sin and the sooner you kill him off(shed that old man), the sooner you will begin to receive your inheritance for righteousness and the smoother your path becomes and your heaven of peace and joy will begin to manifest in your life.

Axehead said:
Yes, that is true, but I don't think the subject is regarding whether God uses poor or rich people. And I really don't like that word "use". Nothing personal to you because everyone has become use to characterizing our relationship with God as "God using us". But God is not so much interested in "using" people as He is in people "KNOWING" Him. It is then out of knowing Him that we are witnesses to the world of His love.

The religious system is all about programs and "using" people and we have to make sure we don't get caught up in that mindset. Any spirit-filled Christian abiding in Christ is going to be blessing others with what the Lord has blessed them. I don't even know why that would be a discussion.

In the Old Testament people used to equate riches with the blessing of the Lord, but Jesus set everyone straight on that.

Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Of course this shocked and amazed the disciples because their Jewish culture taught them that a man is extremely blessed of God if he is rich in material possessions. Jesus did go on to tell them that rich people could be saved. Poor people can be as covetous as rich people so rich people don't have a corner on that market. It's all about our heart and what we are trusting in.

Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

With God all things are possible. But, we should be careful because riches are a snare and it is easy for the heart to go after riches and even to be deceived into thinking that outward material riches are equated with God's blessings.

Great Sermon by David Wilkerson
The Dangers of the Gospel of Accomodation

Do you know why the rich man can hardly enter into the kingdom of God? Because they have built their trust upon their riches and the only way for them to prove otherwise is to sell all they have and give to the poor and put their trust in God.
God is not trying to take from you, but He will not let you enter in to His kingdom with the ill gotten gains that you have obtained by the worldly ways. You must turn it into kingdom wealth and THEN God can build you up in His ways.
Here is a little test How do you read this?
Ps 37:4
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
KJV

To the carnal man we see it say, be pleasing to God and He will give you everything your heart desires.
To the Spirit man it says desire to please God and He will GIVE YOU the right heart desires(spiritual wisdom) and THEN you will be worthy of the physical things.
Always seek God's will first and then He is able to reward you.
Many think that faith is just to say you believe Jesus is the Son of God.... but there is MUCH more to prove our faith that we must learn. And it means that we have faith that every Word that God has given us is TRUTH and for us to walk as if we believe it to be truth. Noah or Abraham never knew of Jesus yet they walked by faith pleasing unto God so faith is not just about Jesus... but having faith in God for all things. If faith that Jesus was the Son of God is what saves us, then the demons will be saved as well for they knew who Jesus was and trembled. They understood that the Word is not to be messed with, but to be OBEYED!
Heb 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
KJV

Rex · Jan 14, 2013

afaithfulone4u said:
Spiritual blessings means wholeness in all things, health, wealth, family, comfort, love, godly wisdom, good moral character, integrity etc... because it is the Spirit of God that gives us the wisdom of God so that we learn not to worship money nor seek the wealth that rots or theives can steal, but we have more than enough to cover all our needs and left overs to help others.

So lets take a look at most blessed "financially" I have listened to everyone of these teachers and I have seen how they live, By comparison the salaries they receive are modest in comparison to the 10 of millions of dollars they receive. They launder that wealth into multiple homes and investements under the shingle of protection as being extensions of the church. They ordain staff that is largly family or long time friends so they can bring them under the umbrella of financial security as well.

I'll quote one of the people that gathered this information which as you continue to look is only the tip of the money laundering iceberg.
The bulk of there money is invested in opulent life styles.

Conclusion
“There are bound to be some people who will read this article and say to themselves, "So the leadership live in nice houses or nice areas, so what? This is God's way of blessing them. They deserve this for leading God's people." I wonder if these people ever really stop to think about what they are saying? Do they really believe that God would bless those in leadership with lifestyles that totally contradict everything that Jesus taught. He and the men who led the first century church led by example. They were servant leaders. Ask yourself if any of the apostles would've chosen pricey homes or affluent areas for themselves. More to the point, would Jesus have done so? Ask yourself if the apostles would have used the contributions and tithes of the people in order to have done so? More to the point, would Jesus have done so?” (Timothy Greeson. Leadership Lifestyles of the International Churches of Christ.) [Also See The Prosperity Doctrine ..Does God Want Us To Be Rich?]
(Apparently the International Churches of Christ also has problems with extravagant lifestyles of some of the leadership. See
http://www.newcovpub.com/icc/icc_LeadershipLifestyles.htm. (Copy and paste into your browser) [TOP OF PAGE]

Here's a couple of links that you can gimps how these people live.
http://www.biblestudyspace.com/profiles/blogs/heresies-in-the-church-tbn
http://www.inplainsite.org/html/tele-evangelist_lifestyles.html

afaithfulone4u said:
Do you know why Solomon was GIVEN wealth and riches by God? Because his first ambition was to judge men righteously. God seen that Solomon had already the right heart attitude and so He was free to give Solomon wealth.

Did you also read that the end of the matter was vanity, a chasing ofter the wind?
The lesson that Solomon learned was its all useless, that was the reason God allowed Solomon to pursue to the bitter end, every desire of the flesh, he came to realize it was all emptiness.

He wrote
Money is a shelter just as wisdom is a shelter, the difference being that wisdom preserves the life of the beholder.
We see the same message in proverb's over and over, choose wisdom over gold and silver, fine riches.

afaithfulone4u · Jan 15, 2013

Rex said:
So lets take a look at most blessed "financially" I have listened to everyone of these teachers and I have seen how they live, By comparison the salaries they receive are modest in comparison to the 10 of millions of dollars they receive. They launder that wealth into multiple homes and investements under the shingle of protection as being extensions of the church. They ordain staff that is largly family or long time friends so they can bring them under the umbrella of financial security as well.

I'll quote one of the people that gathered this information which as you continue to look is only the tip of the money laundering iceberg.
The bulk of there money is invested in opulent life styles.

Here's a couple of links that you can gimps how these people live.
http://www.biblestudyspace.com/profiles/blogs/heresies-in-the-church-tbn
http://www.inplainsite.org/html/tele-evangelist_lifestyles.html

Did you also read that the end of the matter was vanity, a chasing ofter the wind?
The lesson that Solomon learned was its all useless, that was the reason God allowed Solomon to pursue to the bitter end, every desire of the flesh, he came to realize it was all emptiness.

He wrote
Money is a shelter just as wisdom is a shelter, the difference being that wisdom preserves the life of the beholder.
We see the same message in proverb's over and over, choose wisdom over gold and silver, fine riches.

You do understand that the wealth of the wicked is being stored up for God's people now and for future and that all of the nations shall bring their honor and wealth to the sons of God RIGHT? How is it that you would think that a son of the devil(ungodly men) should be able to use ill gotten gains to purchase private jets to do their evils deeds with haste.. Yet forsake a man of God, whom's God is the Holy One of Israel creator and owner of ALL THINGS in heaven and earth to have such a jet bought with kingdom wealth to go into all the world first class to take the gospel to save souls for God's kingdom?? Do you believe he needs to stand in line and sit in the back barely being able to afford a ticket being SERVANT of God's Word? And can I also ask you, do you seek raises, higher paid positions or other means to make ends meet each month as barely scrapping by? Why would you seek more money when you say God is against His children being able to pay their way or to live a comfortable lifestyle for their obedience to His Word?
Mark 10:28-31
28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. Those who seek self first, shall be last, those who seek other's first, shall be first.
KJV
Hag 2:6-9
6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
KJV
Rev 21:24-26
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
KJV

Here is the tiding of the GOOD NEWS that Jesus came to give to his followers who are trained up as priests of God and inherit the Bride being heavenly Jerusalem
Isa 61:1-62:1
61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,............{This next part will be at his return for Armageddon the Wedding supper of the Lamb}and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
KJV

Many do not realize this but to give offerings to the kingdom of God is gain and that is how God can prosper us. God does not need your money, but everything you own belongs to Him for He created it all.
Do you realize that the first account of God showing ones faith in Him was with Able and Cain and it was over their offerings? Cain did not see any reason to give a God that he could not see his best, so he just brought what he either didn't want or had left over. Where as Able who pleased God and had FAITH in God brought not only the FIRST of his flock, but the Best of them(fattest, healthiest) to his God whom he gave honor and trusted was real.
Yes, our offerings to the man of God who has left his earthly work force to prepare spiritual meals for your soul that we seem to be so interested in saving takes someones time to prepare. So how is it that we do not mind paying for our pizza to have it made just the way it tastes so good for our belly's(Esau).... yet we call those who prepare our spiritual meal charletains or swindlers and blaspheme them for receiving offerings for their needs and their families care? Is there something wrong with this picture people?
Are we serving our flesh and thinking little of our spirit man that we refuse to give to God's kingdom for the Word to go out or call names to those who use their time to take the Word of God to all the world, while we sit at home and enjoy ourselves?
Do you know that Jesus is the first in the new testament to take and praise a poor old widow women who put her last bit of funds in the treasure for God's kingdom? And he made sure we all heard about it by giving her a place in the Bible for us to see HIS JOY and acceptance of her last bit of money she had to live on... why would Jesus do this if we are not to sow into the kingdom of God? Why would Jesus reward her with praises if she had done such a foolish thing? Why didn't Jesus run after her and so NOW here is your money back, you need it more than the kingdom of God does??
It is because that God is a God of giving and to give is to gain. She had proven that she did not put her trust in the money in her hand, but her trust was in the God that she could not see, but had stepped out in FAITH KNOWING that He is her provider, protector and He is able to keep her.
That is the attitude we must have if we ever plan to see any prosperity from God. God is able to make all grace abound towards us so that we will have all suffefiency and plenty left over for others needs in our path.
By us in FALSE humility saying that God does not want His people to prosper, but to be poor and beggarly, YET we go about seeking pay raises, better paying jobs, working 2-3 jobs to buy all of our lustful things thinking that money is EVIL but we are going to have to go behind God's back to seek it is evil in it's self. But here is a news flash! God see's all and one in FAITH knows this. God is everywhere and nothing is hid from His eyes. I don't know about you, but it is a blessing to give to help an evangelist who is walking according to God's Word to take the gospel to the world where I am not able to go. Even Paul took offerings and thought it robbed the ministries who he had not asked for financial help from for they do not receive blessings when they are not supporting givers for God's work. Even Jacob promised God 1/10th of all that God gave him, as did Abraham give the tenth. God is a government kingdom and all men owe Him for using His earth for their good pleasure.
Blessings

BiggAndyy said:
af4u, you misread scripture. God will add exactly what to me if I am faithful? Do you mean this verse?

That tells me I should not be anxious for food or clothing, rather basic needs there. Surely I can trust the Lord for that! And even in times when our fridge was empty I was not anxious.

Or maybe it's this one?

No, I haven't seen any mountains walking about, so it musn't be a teaching for us to actively participate in.

How about this oldie but goodie?

Again, no. The context is about pleasing God, not our wallets.

Oh, I got it. I forgot about this one, this one HAS to be the magic verse.

Rats, we have to ask according to HIS will, not our own. Shucks, I thought I was close.

Ok, here is the clincher, this one for sure!

Crap crap crap crap! God will meet my NEEDS, not my wants! But Gawwwwwd... I NEEEEEEED a 70 inch wide screen plasma TV!

No, the Prosperity Gospel, in my opinion, is a uniquely American invention to allow hucksters (and those playing in the shallow end of the theologic pool) to foist their wares on an equally scripturally low information Christian. I have no use for it because it is not of God but of our stomachs, eyes, and itching ears.

I did want to mention so that you can consider what you are SAYING AND revealing here, that while you may not believe that God will give you a plasma TV for being a faithful worker in His fields to bring in souls that are valuable to HIm, did you think that you would take it upon yourself to buy such things not NEEDING God's help or input to gain them for yourself?
Do you consider a 70" Plasma TV of some BIG VALUE in your eyes? Pardone me for saying this, but so that we all can learn from it... That is idolatry! when we think of a large sum or a costly item as SUMPTHIN to big for God or SOO VALUABLE that God would never want YOU to have such a TREASURED THING.

And do you think it wise to be your own god and gain your things by the hand of man instead of trusting and asking God to give you something good?
I used to think like you. I used to say those greedy ministers don't need fancy suits and mansion homes to take the Word of God... But then God gave me understanding that if I am hoping for, or expecting to get something.. from where do I receive my BOOTY? from God's hand who owns it all and whom I am a servant and a servant is worth his wages or from Satan's kingdom giving him all the glory?
Or am I to be begging for food to perhaps leed me to have to steal and be unfaithful to Christ because I have a Father who cheats and mistreats His children who serve THE WORD for Him? If there is something in the world, then it is here by God's control. It may be used for evil intensions, but it is GOD'S none the same and who better to give it to than His obedient children to use for good and for their pleasure?.. Because the devils children are using it for evil, yet I do not. I use my things to either finance the kingdom of God(help in the building of the TEMPLE and raise it up) or to learn and listen to other brothers and sisters in Christ to help build me up for we feed upon one another as the body of Christ.
Please ask God for revelation on this. It is not things that make us an idolator, it is our perception of the things that cause us to be in sin! God and His Word must always come first in our life and He adds the things for our enjoyment as He sees we can handle them without harm of worshipping them. God is A GIVER!

biggandyy · Jan 15, 2013

[And do you think it wise to be your own god and gain your things by the hand of man instead of trusting and asking God to give you something good?
I used to think like you. I used to say those greedy ministers don't need fancy suits and mansion homes to take the Word of God... But then God gave me understanding that if I am hoping for, or expecting to get something...

God is not some celestial Pezz dispenser where one puts a quarter in the slot (in this instance a prayer) and then expect a toy surprise to pop out!

If God decides to give me more misery, sickness, strife, toil, poverty, and sadness I will still call attention to His glory and thank Him everyday for what He has given me, even it is all appears bad on the surface.

If God kicked you in the teeth and then demanded you say "Thank You Lord may I have another" would you? I somehow doubt it. But I have, and I have the missing teeth to prove it.

afaithfulone4u · Jan 15, 2013

BiggAndyy said:
God is not some celestial Pezz dispenser where one puts a quarter in the slot (in this instance a prayer) and then expect a toy surprise to pop out!

If God decides to give me more misery, sickness, strife, toil, poverty, and sadness I will still call attention to His glory and thank Him everyday for what He has given me, even it is all appears bad on the surface.

If God kicked you in the teeth and then demanded you say "Thank You Lord may I have another" would you? I somehow doubt it. But I have, and I have the missing teeth to prove it.

You are avoiding the questions and I don't mean to make you feel unloved by God. I am only trying to show you that our way of thinking is wrong. We think that someone has to have wealth in order to be considered in idolatry, but it is not the amount of money or the possessions that we have that prove idolatry, it is a matter of the value we place on these things and the unwillingness to part with even 2.00 when it is our last 2.00 thinking that is all we have to our name when in reality our Father owns it all and we are not to labor hard for these things... and to realize that God is a rewarder for those who diligently seek Him and His ways.
I have been a penny pincher all my life because I did not have oodles of money and I struggle with it still. When I try to find an item I want for .99, I am really showing that I trust in my money(idolatry, unbelief). I am also saying that I do not care if the other person makes any profit off of their wares as long as I get their item and hold on to most of my money(greed and I am not loving my neighbor as myself).
But God is trying break us from that and to get us to be givers for that is His system, a key to heaven. When we give freely to others to help them in time of need, we are showing that our things have no hold on us and we put others first. Then God sees that He can trust us to not put our trust in the things, but in Him to provide everything we need and bless us with good things.

One time I was selling an RV and I had a small ironing board that I really bought for the RV but I now use it for my work at home and really did not want to part with it needlessly. I asked the lady who was buying the RV if she would like the ironing board as she did not have one for the RV and they were going to live in it. She said sure, but her sure was not as if she really wanted it, it was more of a, I can find a use for it I guess. So when I thought about it, I decided I would not bring the ironing board up unless she asked me about it. Well after she did not ask me for it and a day or so had passed. I said to God, I am sorry that I did not give her the ironing board Lord, but she didn't seem to want it.
And I heard Him say... but you do! I understood that He was saying I was being greedy, selfish, self centered and not really willing to part with it.
I have MUCH practicing to do in this area, but I do believe God's Word when it says give, and IT(what ever it is) shall be given unto you in good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over shall MEN give unto your bosom. God gives us favor in the eyes of willing hearts when He wants to bless us.
God does not only reward us in the future to come, but it begins now.
Many ask, if there is a God why does He allow famine, killing, disease etc...? The answer is it is in our own ability to be blessed by God. God is a good God and He has given us the keys to health, prosperity, happiness and joy in His Word, but people just can't seem to take Him at His Word so they stay dead to God, their choice.
Just like when you preach of hell.. men say why do you always try to THREATEN me with hell? They see it as bothering them torment actually.. but God is meaning it in love as a WARNING so that they don't go. Yet since they don't believe in God, they just accuse us of harrassing them totally disregarding that it is for their good because we care.
Jesus says that a wise man will put his Words into practice, because he knows that this is knowledge that will bring you blessings. In this life, we reap what so ever we sow.
Luke 6:35-38
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
KJV
Take this to heart to be a doer of the Word and see if God does not KEEP HIS PROMISE as it is written. He is not a man that He should lie!

Blessings

biggandyy · Jan 16, 2013

He is not a man at all, He is God.

afaithfulone4u · Jan 16, 2013

BiggAndyy said:
He is not a man at all, He is God.

That is why He said it:
Num 23:19
19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
KJV

Those BLESSING teaching ministries!!

New Member

New Member

I am here to help...

New Member

Active Member

New Member

New Member

Active Member

I am here to help...

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

I am here to help...

New Member

I am here to help...

New Member

Similar threads