Prosperity – Godliness is Gain with Contentment

Prosperity in the Balance

” For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”

When it comes to prosperity there are generally two different mindsets that people have which are traps.

2 Prosperity Mindsets

    1. Poverty and Holiness are synonymous.
    2. Gain is Godliness.

Gain is Godliness.

True humility is, taking our responsibility, growing up and maturing, humbling yourselves to God’s plan to prosper us, to establish and fulfill God’s call and purpose for our lives.

The False Mindset of Gain is Godliness

Truth: Money without a God given purpose will destroy your life.

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. — 1 Timothy 6:3-5

Along with the long list of offences the church at Ephesus was committing was the thought that Great gain, Riches, made them godly and better than most.

But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing. For the love of money is a root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have been led astray and have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many acute [mental] pangs. — 1 Timothy 6:9-10 [AMP]

  • Many today, in the church, will get distracted by wealth and forget God.
  • Living to be rich will lead you astray.
  • Money is a tool with a purpose! Not the sum total of one’s life.
  • When you get wealth God’s way, it will not lead you away from Him, it draws you closer.
  • God’s way will not destroy your life, it will enhance it.

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. — 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Command those… Not ask… Command (this is vital to the stability of one’s life)

  • Our country is runaway with haughtiness and trusting in uncertain riches.
  • (Our country gives money to third world countries to control them.)
  • God has blessed America and she has walked away from him.
  • Rich is relevant, most of us are richer than most of the world.

Nor in uncertain riches…

  • Worldly riches cannot be trusted.
  • Our nation is trillions in the red…and bleeding badly.
  • Inherits tax_ Government takes 50% of value. Destituting farm families.
  • Dollar standard_ OPEC only takes US dollars to buy oil…But that could change.
  • If interest rates were to raise just 2% everyone including the US could lose it all.
  • Cyprus, EU bailout condition is “freeze banks and take 10% of everyone’s savings.
  • Investment brokers are not celebrating record stock market. They know it’s a bubble that will bust sometime soon.

…But put your trust in God who gives to us richly all things to enjoy.

Verse 18… the Key and answer to proper prosperity…

  • Let them do good…( HOW? )
  • That they be rich in good works
  • Ready to give
  • Willing to share

Verse 19…Storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come…

  • Time to come… The hereafter… Heaven…Matt 6:20 lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven…

The prayer of Agur

A prayer of Balance

Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches– Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God. — Proverbs 30:7-9

Listen

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Or if you prefer, you can download the MP3. (Right click on that link and save the file on your local computer.)

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