Money based Faith

Just Yesterday, a ‘many years Christian’ told me:

‘I may even give up Jesus…’ (he may have said it jestingly but the ‘mouth speaks what the heart is full of…’ – Luke 6:45).

Why?

He was complaining about not being ‘financially prosperous as he desired’.

Me: ‘So, where there is no money, your faith is over is it?’

Best is, do you know by ‘blaming God’ or ‘not blaming God’, your situation of ‘no prosperity’ doesn’t change?

Also, whether you ‘turn atheist’ or ‘change to another religion’, your situation of ‘no prosperity’ doesn’t change either?

Faith has NEVER been Linked to Financial Prosperity or Money in the Bible. If somebody says otherwise, where is the Verse please?

*The Jabez prayer was so that he be ‘relieved of his unfair pain’ (a different reason than ‘desiring prosperity’).

Also, in John 10:10’s definition of ‘Abundant Life’, NOT one Verse in that chapter speaks of Money or Material Wealth but rather ‘spiritual analogies ONLY’ (Please read John 10 carefully).

Also Christ’s OWN DEFINITION of ‘Abundant Life’ does NOT include ‘Material/Money Promises’ as the Verse below Proves Irrefutably (please note the words ABUNDANT and LIFE carefully to realize this ONLY Biblical Definition):

“Then He [Lord Jesus Christ] said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for NOT even when one has an ABUNDANCE does his LIFE consist of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15, NASB)

[Emphasis Mine]

Christ ONLY Promised SPIRITUAL ABUNDANCE (e.g. Gifts of the Spirit – 1 Corinthians 12:1) and TREASURE in HEAVEN (not on earth too – Matthew 6:19 – 20). Hence, let’s NOT make up ‘false’ Promises lest we become ‘liars’ (Proverbs 30:6).

“Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.” (Proverbs 30:6, NASB)

Did the Bible ever teach that ‘desiring to be rich’ is wrong?

Yes, Verse below:

“But THOSE who WANT to get RICH fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.” – apostle Paul (1 Timothy 6:9, NASB)

Here’s another Verse from the Old Testament Speaking this SAME TRUTH but is almost ‘unpreached from the Pulpits’:

“Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.” (Proverbs 23:4, KJV)

I repeat, with emphasis:

“LABOUR NOT to be RICH: CEASE from THINE OWN WISDOM.” (Proverbs 23:4, KJV)

If we don’t obey, we will be “pierced with sorrows” and “err from the True Faith” (an automatic ‘curse’), Verse:

“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.” – apostle Paul (1 Timothy 6:10, KJV)

Please note the phrase ‘LOVE of MONEY is the root of all evil’ and NOT ‘MONEY is the root of all evil’. Yes, ‘roots’ are hidden and cannot be seen but they are there in a person’s heart.

Being rich is NOT wrong but wanting to be rich is. The True Christian Way is ‘Contentment’ (as described next) where we don’t desire being rich but if it happens as we live our daily lives in Contentment, so be it. Only then one does NOT love money (1 Timothy 6:10).

Indeed, True Faith is Independent of being “rich or poor” materialistically as the Verse below says:

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” – apostle Paul (Philippians 4:12, NIV)

That same Christian encourages me to ‘attend his church’, sometimes sending invites through ‘his friends too’.

I’m like, seriously?