Biblical Position on Prosperity? What

¶ … Biblical Position on Prosperity?

What exactly are God's plans for our finances? What does the Bible say in regards to finances? When the Bible mentions finances, it refers to it as sowing and reaping. The words sowing and reaping are mentioned throughout the Bible 108 times in 95 different verses. There are many different kinds of sowing and reaping and if you do not sow, you will not reap. The parable of the sower and the seed found in Matthew 13:2-8 describes a 30, 60, or 100 fold increase. " But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold." Then verse 9 adds, "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." So, this is saying that if one plants a seed within a ministry in a church, the return will be thirtyfold or sixtyfold. However, God's plan for our prosperity is more than giving our finances to a particular ministry or church. Of course, there is a return on giving, but it also depends on the nature that the finances were given.

When one gives money to a church or ministry, it is called "Tithing." Tithing is the first step toward living under an open heaven, for God promises to open heaven over the tither. Because of this promise, we know the opposite is also true. Failing to tithe will close the windows of heaven. Some bible instructors teach that New Testament saints don't have to tithes. They assume that because the atonement lifted the curse of the law, God no longer requires tithing. The mistake these teachers make is in assuming that the curse spoken of in Malachi 3:9 is the curse of the law. This verse is not speaking of the curse of the law but of the self-imposed penalty for violating a God-ordained principle.

God requires his people to tithe. The bible says that 10% of one's total income should be offered to the Lord in tithes and offerings. God has always required tithing from His people. God expected even Adam and Eve to tithe. Adam and Eve had jobs and their job was to maintain the garden. "And the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and keep it.." God generously rewarded their efforts by allowing them to eat freely in the garden. It's true you have expended your time and labor to earn it. However, you must cheerfully return 10% of it to Him, for the Bible say that 10% of all your increase belongs to God. It is still the responsibility of every born again Christian to tithe. It doesn't cost God anything but it's the loss of the saints themselves. It doesn't matter how righteous your life may be or how much scripture you have committed to memory.

Is the money you earn yours to fund your lifestyle or does it belong to God to fund His end time harvest? You may ask questions like What about my need? If you operate as a faithful steward the Lord will take proper care of you. Jesus firmly established this truth when He spoke of the reward his faithful servants will receive. The Lord isn't looking for people who will fund the gospel out of their possessions. Instead, He wants to develop faithful stewards who will become mangers of His assets. The better these stewards manage His affairs, the better the quality of life He will provide for them.

Many people believe that preachers are out to get your money. Don't believe the lie "All Preachers Want is your Money, If you don't trust Gods prophets, you will not prosper. Lack of trust comes from the enemy for he knows if he can break your trust relationship with the man of God, he can block you from God's prosperity. Get behind him, encourage and submit to him. The obedient Christian is to trust and respect his God appointed leaders, for God gave them to the Church as a gift."

Preachers that are truly teaching God's word will encourage Christians to pay their tithes because they realize this is the way God's people can truly be blessed. We don't have to wait till the year of Jubilee if we would take heed to the word of God to cancel out our debt. Preachers also realize that God's church can come under a curse when members don't tithes.

God will still test our faith in the areas of money even when we tithe, it doesn't mean that we won't have money problems etc., and it definitely won't stop you from going thru different trials or tribulations in your life. If you can't afford to give 10% at first, start out with 5% then build your way toward giving more, Also you can give of your talents to the Lord and he blesses your effort, time, and commitment to Him.