The False Prosperity We Love

October 10th, 2008, 10:49 am

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth - 3 John 1:2

It seems that so many people focus on money. The lure of the world really has a tight grip on most American Christians. Many people recite this verse often when they are asking God for more money. However, I don’t think that a big house and a lot of money is what John is asking God to give Gaius.

While Prosperity can be financial prosperity - that isn’t the chief meaning of the word. (Just the meaning most money-minded people chose to use.)

prosperity - a successful, flourishing, or thriving condition, esp. in financial respects; good fortune.

Think about this verse when it says “even as thy soul prospereth”. Does your soul make a hefty income? Does your soul own a fine yacht? Is your soul going to buy a nicer house? Your soul doesn’t do anything that has to do with money. When this verse says “as thy soul prospereth” it means to succeed or thrive even as your soul does.

Joseph is another example of true prosperity. Although he was a slave - “he was a prosperous man”. Now does that mean he made a lot of money? No, slaves don’t make money (for themselves anyway). What is described here is Joseph succeeding at whatever he does.

And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. - Genesis 39:2-3 (KJV)

However, the bible does speak a lot on wealth - because we often look to it before God. We ask God for more money to solve our problems - rather than for God’s will. As a matter-of-fact, possessions and money are spoken of many times in the new testament. (I think more than any other topic) - Because sadly, that is where our focus lies.

Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.  - Proverbs 30:8-9
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. - 1 Timothy 6:10

Comments

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Sidharth

Well Done.

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Roger Ball- Pastor

I have been speaking on this passage in my church (FWC ) in the Bronx, NY.

What is clear to me is that there is a hierarchy of prosperity: -material prosperity

-body and mind prosperity

-Soul prosperity

With the last being the first in order of importance!

Material prosperity arches and bend towards the improvement of the lives of others as much as ours.

Body and mind prosperity is always a glimpse into the very nature of God and our own destiny! That being eternal health and clarity of mind- which are godlike qualities. This part of the sermon serves as an impetus to remind the church that in our prayer for each other the community is healed . In our prayer for each other we bear witness to the plight of the other- and are drawn to do something about it! We are healed, and renewed through our willingness to spend time calling someone else name before God. "Lord remember the pain, sicknesses and suffering that Peter is enduring this time. Please heal him!" When we pray for each other we are made stronger for it!

Finally Soul Prosperity- is communion with God himself! Its a state of being fed,watered and cultivated by God and his Spirit. This passage I feel when pulled apart and cross referenced with Other salient passages offers a wealth insights on issues:

1. Advocacy for the poor and the cry for equality - all deserve basic prosperity This includes food, shelter safety and need to reach our fullest human potential

2. Body and mind prosperity- from lack of proper health care access to poor mental health This single verse speaks to the need for care.

3. Soul prosperity is a giant when put up against "material prosperity! This passage as some would say is pregnant with meaning and is begging to be delivered

Roger Ball MSW MA

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