I have never been able to understand how people are okay with the world’s (unsaved) getting wealthier but cry foul whenever the church (Christians) prosper. Why do you think that is? The culprit is false teaching. For years we have been taught that Jesus was poor, so all who follow Him need to be poor as well. We’ve also been told that pastors of old were content with chicken dinners and produce as payment for their service to God. Let me address the first myth. Jesus wasn’t poor. The Bible says; though He was rich, He became poor, so that by His poverty (giving up the glory and splendor of heaven) we might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9. And don’t forget the gifts He received as a toddler; gold, frankincense and myrrh. All very costly gifts. And the Bible doesn’t disclose how much of it He received. He may have been born earthly poor to poor parents, and that’s questionable at best, because Joseph owned his own carpentry business, but He certainly made their lives better by the gifts He received.
He had twelve full time staff with families of their own to support. We’ve never read where they had to beg for bread or that they collected government assistance from Rome. He owned the world He was born into. Everything was subject to His authority. When tax time came, He sent a skilled fisherman to catch the first fish, open its mouth and find the exact amount due. Matthew 17:27. He multiplied loaves and fish on multiple occasions, not to feed His disciples, because they had money to go shopping, but to feed a massive crowd. John 6; Matthew 15:29-39. People said well, He didn’t have a place to lay His head! Well, did you ever read that He slept outside? Of course not! He owned no earthly house, but He always had a place to stay. But this is the same Jesus who said, “ I go to prepare a place for you, where there are many mansions in My Father’s house.“ John 14.
So how poor was He? The real question is how rich is He? His Father said these words.
“Remember the Lord your God. He is the One who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant He confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.”
Deuteronomy 8:18 NLT
TO GET WHAT? I’ll let you answer that. We only have a problem with wealth when it belongs to someone else, especially Christians. God did not make that promise to the whole world, even though the world has amassed wealth. He said it to the heirs and joint heirs of the covenant. There’s the world’s success and then there’s good success. Good success is what comes from obeying the Lord and His Word. Joshua 1:8. What has created looting, killing and destruction of people’s property? Poverty and a poverty mentality infused with jealousy. If you have enough money to own multiple homes and cars, good for you! Why should I be jealous of you? That’s not my thing, one of each is enough for me, but do you, to the glory of God! He’s not mad at you and neither should I be. The Jews are hated for their ability to be successful at just about anything. It’s not their fault that they’re living under an unbreakable covenant! Neither will it be my fault if I live in obedience to His Word and He pours out blessings on me where there isn’t enough room to receive it. Malachi 3. Jealousy will block the flow of your own prosperity. If you’re not rejoicing in the prosperity of others when God blesses them, you will never receive prosperity of your own. First off, unless you know the individuals personally, you have no idea why they’re blessed.
Like I mentioned, this jealousy is only reserved for God’s people. And oftentimes it’s coming from so-called Christians. I had no idea I’d be writing this today September 1, 2021@11am. But God wants to correct us so that He can release what is being held back from our lives. We’re blessed to be a blessing. Tight isn’t right when it applies to being generous. We are to bless ourselves and others. God is the author of prosperity in every form. But He’s also very specific about financial wealth. Take a deep breath and rejoice with your brothers and sisters who are enjoying the good success the Lord has provided through their obedience.
Now to the pastors of old who lived off Sunday chicken dinners and ground provisions. Back in those days that’s what most people had to share. They also volunteered to build Houses of worship for God’s service. They gave of their gifts and time. Most of those pastors probably died from clogged arteries and high blood pressure due to high undiagnosed cholesterol and heart disease from being overweight. They would’ve been better off had the folks sold the chicken and eggs and gave them the proceeds. I’m not making light of the past for if the people had followed what the Word taught about providing for the priest, those pastors and their families would’ve been well provided for. The Law that the Lord gave Moses indicated that they were to receive the best of the offering given to the Lord. So relative to today, they’re to receive the best for their dedicated service to the Lord.
Today it isn’t meat but finances. We’re not living under a Levitical priesthood today because we now have Jesus as our High Priest, replacing the old order. To begrudge a pastor for the blessings of God is sin. He gets to spend his salary anyway he chooses just like you or I. God will judge the ones who misuse funds that aren’t theirs. And those who are in ministry simply as a career for what they can get were never called by God. They use their charisma and degrees from religious institutions to weasel their way into God’s pulpit, deceiving and being deceived by their own rhetoric. You have read the account I gave of one such hireling. But as we all know, He exposes those who dishonor His Name and His Church. When Jesus said the Church was built on the revelation of who He is, and that the gates of hell will not prevail against it, He meant anyone or anything that stood against His established Church order. It’s His Church, not man’s. Deuteronomy 18:3-8; Matthew 16:18; Galatians 6:6-10; 1 Corinthians 9
Before I understood the things I’ve shared, I used to criticize church leaders for their extravagant lifestyle, then I read God’s Word and found out that not only does He give the ability to get wealth, He promises wealth to all His children who will honor His Word. I also understood that I too will become the table talk as the Lord blesses me. As long as we’re Christians, the world and some ignorant Christians will question our prosperity. As long as I’m not stealing, deceiving and lying my way to prosperity I will not apologize for anything God does for me. And you shouldn’t either. I will not participate in the stymieing of the blessings of God to me by being jealous of others. How about you?
“The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” Proverbs 10:22 NLT
“Wealth and honor come from You alone, for You rule over everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and at Your discretion people are made great and given strength.”
1 Chronicles 29:12 NLT
Please read all of Proverbs 10 for great insight as well as 1 Chronicles 29 David’s prayer of thanksgiving, and Deuteronomy 8.
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
September 10, 2021