Easy Christianity
One of the dangers of moving into a more free Christianity, it can become easy to fall for the “prosperity” gospel teachers out there. I was watching a program this morning while I ate my breakfast on, of course, the Inspiration Network, and sometime, somehow, some way, this program’s host has decided that 2007 is the year of blessing for Christians. That’s right! If you’ll simply go to the phone and give either $77, $777, $7,777 etc., then 2007 will be your year of blessing.
Now don’t get me wrong, God does bless those who give freely to him of their time, body, and yes even money. I’ve seen it happen in my life, so this (at least to me) is a verified practice. But if you somehow believe that because a cheesy religotainment host says that God gave them a “word” and is simply asking for a small donation, and 2007 will be a blessed year for you, then you need to have your bull crap filter checked! Kiss that money goodbye, and don’t make the same mistake again.
But this is all a product of Easy Christianty, the belief that Christians, of all people, should prosper on earth. Sure, some Christians are prosperous, some even are prosperous BECAUSE they employ Christian values in business, but to believe that all Christians should be healthy and wealthy is … well … bull crap.
Life isn’t always easy. Sometimes bills can’t be paid on time. Christians get cancer and don’t get miraculously healed.
There was this guy named Jesus, right, and He lived a long time ago. He was poor. He was hated. He died early, in fact, he was murdered. And although He is the best example, He is by no means the only example of GOOD Christians living VERY hard lives.
As Christians, our “prosperity” doesn’t come from our bank account or our titles. We “prosper” by being like Jesus, by understanding that success isn’t measured in what you have, but in who you are.
So as the weekend approaches, and the Lord’s day comes, be encouraged that a life lived for Jesus is worth it, even if there aren’t immeasurable riches involved. Be satisfied that you know Him, and He knows you.
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Rather be poor and written in the Lamb’s Book Of Life, than rich and awaiting Hell.
Dont’cha just love them and others! TBN, & Sky Angel, & Daystar!
I just can’t comment anymore, there is just no “fruit” to even judge them by! And I know I will get carried away, and exceed the character limit of the comments.
Anyone who preaches the prosperity message is either lying to get money (and therefore “prosper”) or is living a very self-deceived and insulated life.
The problem is that the people that often BUY into this message are the poor. It’s a message that taps into the same mentality that causes many poor people to spend what little money they do have on stacks of lottery tickets. They are so desperate for hope that they grasp at any promise thrown their way. It turns my stomach.
It’s certainly not the message Jesus taught! “Take up your cross…” “I come to bring a sword…” “It’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle…”
These guys must have missed those scriptures!
Ben said:
No it is not indeed! I and my family are those “poor people” and it even makes us sad. What good are all these earthly riches going to do for me when I stand before the Bema Judgement Seat Of Christ? Nothing!
Yes I would love to at least have some extra money, so that my family could eat better food, and we wouldn’t HAVE to shop from the thrift store for clothes, and that we could live in a place that has regular heat and AC, and not some broken down dump. But this is only for a short season, and we are all much happier living for the Lord, than being rich and living without him.
There are indeed some things that money can’t buy. Salvation from sin, peace with God, and love from a Heavenly Father that will watch over my children throughout the night while I sleep.