Does the Bible condemn affluence?
After considering yesterday’s topic on SUCCESS, We were able to conclude that Success is not limited only to Financial, Status, Power and Position Prosperity. And that real success is as a result of fulfilling God’s plan for our life.We considered the following scriptures yesterday:
(1Tim 6:7-8 [KJV])
For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
(Matt 16:26 [KJV])
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
(Eccl 12:13 [KJV])
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.
Today, we would like to treat the topic which says
Is the bible against prosperity?
Or put it this way - does the bible condemn affluence?
The answer is NO and Our conclusion is derived from the following bible quotations
Scriptures on Affluence (Prosperity)
(2Cor 8:9 [KJV])For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
(3John 1:2 [KJV])
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest PROSPER AND BE IN HEALTH [physical prosperity], EVEN AS THY SOUL PROSPERETH.
(Deut 28:11-13 [KJV])
And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do [them]:
(Prov 15:6 [KJV])
In the house of the righteous [is] much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
(Prov 22:4 [KJV])
By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] riches, and honour, and life.
(Deut 30:9 [KJV])
And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:
(Isa 30:23 [KJV])
Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.
(Eccl 5:19 [KJV])
Every man also to whom GOD HATH GIVEN RICHES AND WEALTH, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this [is] the gift of God.
(Ps 112:1-3 [KJV])
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed [is] the man [that] feareth the LORD, [that] delighteth greatly in his commandments.
His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
WEALTH AND RICHES [shall be] in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
(Job 22:23-25 [KJV])
If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.
Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the [gold] of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.
Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.
God hates greed (covetousness)
(Luke 12:15 [KJV])
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.
(2Pet 2:14 [KJV])
Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
(Josh 7:20-21 [KJV])
And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:
When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they [are] hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
Conclusion
The Bible does not condemn prosperity. God want us to prosper materially but not to set our heart (make our goal) material possessions for there is far more to prosperity that gathering physical wealth.(Matt 6:33 [KJV])
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
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