If you have ever watched a prosperity theology televangelist or if you are on the mailing list of a TV ministry that sends you their material, it seems like in every piece of marketing material they give testimonies from various people who have given money toward their building fund or any other fund. The testimonies are all very similar and state how after people gave to their ministry, they got a new house, a bigger house, a profit on an old house, a bigger salary, a new car, etc.etc.etc. They often base this outcome on Luke 6:38, "Give, and it will be given to you."
I am quite sure if you are a Believer we all believe that that the Lord is the One who blesses us. But, the question today is should we expect things in return? Should we look at it like a financial prospectus? Should we be playing: Let’s Make A Deal with our Lord - I give you this so that you give me that?
This thinking has been dubbed the "Prosperity Theology or Prosperity Doctrine" and honestly, it is something that comes from the pit of hell. These charlatans tend to take Scripture out of context and misapply it to meet their needs.
Satan himself used the same tactics when he tempted Jesus. Do you remember this passage found in Matthew 4:1-11: Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Satan used Scripture verses out of context! Throughout these verses we see that Jesus corrected this "out of context thinking". (Take a moment to read the whole account from Matthew 4:1-11)
Also note that the "Prosperity Theology or Prosperity Doctrine" tends to put the "giving" emphasis on temporal things instead of eternal blessings.
Regarding the "personal testimonies," the Bible teaches us to not "let our left hand know what our right hand is doing". This literally means that we are not to let anyone know how much or to whom we give.
Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them . . . When therefore you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do . . . But when you do give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. —Matthew 6:1-4
Regarding why you should give, it IS true that giving is good and it has tremendous rewards. But you are never to give to get something in return from God. That's like saying "God now owes me," and God never owes you anything!!!!!!!!!
Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine.
--Job 41:11 (all things belong to God).
The only reason we should give anything is because it's the right thing to do, from a willing heart. Just as scripture clearly tells us:
. . . do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may be well with you . . .
--Deuteronomy 6:18
. . . whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the Lord's contribution.
—Exodus 35:5
. . . do good . . . expecting nothing in return.
—Luke 6:35
Clearly, Prosperity Theology is not scriptural and the verses typically used are misapplied. Remember, GOD is not a "get-rich-quick-scheme", HE IS THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD! As we see in Romans 6:23, HE has given us the free gift of Salvation!
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
If you haven't already, accept HIS FREE GIFT TODAY. Focus not on what GOD will give you if you make a donation to some "ministry", but focus on obeying, loving and serving the ONE who gave HIS life freely for you!
I am quite sure if you are a Believer we all believe that that the Lord is the One who blesses us. But, the question today is should we expect things in return? Should we look at it like a financial prospectus? Should we be playing: Let’s Make A Deal with our Lord - I give you this so that you give me that?
This thinking has been dubbed the "Prosperity Theology or Prosperity Doctrine" and honestly, it is something that comes from the pit of hell. These charlatans tend to take Scripture out of context and misapply it to meet their needs.
Satan himself used the same tactics when he tempted Jesus. Do you remember this passage found in Matthew 4:1-11: Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Satan used Scripture verses out of context! Throughout these verses we see that Jesus corrected this "out of context thinking". (Take a moment to read the whole account from Matthew 4:1-11)
Also note that the "Prosperity Theology or Prosperity Doctrine" tends to put the "giving" emphasis on temporal things instead of eternal blessings.
Regarding the "personal testimonies," the Bible teaches us to not "let our left hand know what our right hand is doing". This literally means that we are not to let anyone know how much or to whom we give.
Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them . . . When therefore you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do . . . But when you do give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. —Matthew 6:1-4
Regarding why you should give, it IS true that giving is good and it has tremendous rewards. But you are never to give to get something in return from God. That's like saying "God now owes me," and God never owes you anything!!!!!!!!!
Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine.
--Job 41:11 (all things belong to God).
The only reason we should give anything is because it's the right thing to do, from a willing heart. Just as scripture clearly tells us:
. . . do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may be well with you . . .
--Deuteronomy 6:18
. . . whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the Lord's contribution.
—Exodus 35:5
. . . do good . . . expecting nothing in return.
—Luke 6:35
Clearly, Prosperity Theology is not scriptural and the verses typically used are misapplied. Remember, GOD is not a "get-rich-quick-scheme", HE IS THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD! As we see in Romans 6:23, HE has given us the free gift of Salvation!
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
If you haven't already, accept HIS FREE GIFT TODAY. Focus not on what GOD will give you if you make a donation to some "ministry", but focus on obeying, loving and serving the ONE who gave HIS life freely for you!
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