|
|
 |
|
Choose a blog and leave comment here
|
|
|
|
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Subject: Christianity and Wealth
Ed Hampton wrote:
This is Ed. Veronica's brother-in-law who lives in Charlotte. I really like
the newsletter and the subject matter as well. Here's what I know and understand:"...remember the LORD your
God,for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth" (Deut.8:18) If God gives one the ability to
become wealthy, why question God's plan for that person? As it is written," Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or
who has been his counselor?"(Romans 11:34) As for shopping, one would do well to "have the wisdom to show
restraint" (Prov. 23:4). Overall, one should remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33.
11:56 am
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Below are responses from some of our readers:
Subject: Christianity and Wealth
Diane Turner wrote:
Dear Sisters,
Thank you for an encouraging news letter, I truly believe that a christian
can be wealthy, I believe God has put us here to enjoy our lives in him, and by doing this he will bless us with
whatever he ask along with what we need, keep on doing a awesome job with your singing ministry, God is in the mix!
Love much
Diane
Subject: Christianity and Wealth
Reynaldo Craig wrote:
“I came so that they might have life
and have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10 And
my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil.
4:19). "I am Almighty God; walk before Me
and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly." Genesis 17:1-2 There are many people and
pastors giving misconceptions about God’s true intention regarding wealth. Having wealth is not sinful,
as there were many people in the Bible who were very wealthy, such as David, Solomon, Abraham and Job. The
problem why many believers are having trouble getting wealth is because they chasing wealth instead of God. They
should instead seek The Kingdom, and then riches will follow. Jeremiah 29:11 says “I know the plans
I have for you says The Lord, plans not to harm but to prosper you, plans that will give you a
hope and a future”. There is a saying going around that is believed to be a bible verse. It says
that money is the root of all evil. This is an error. The actual verse is “The
love of money is the root of all evil.” 1 Timothy 6:10. I can go on about this, but when it comes to the bottom-line, it is ok with God
to have money, but just as long that money does not have you…
In His service
Reynaldo A. Craig ChristLikeTV, Inc.
Subject: Christianity and Wealth
Cheryl Ashley-Henderson wrote:
I love the
newsletter!!!
My take on wealthy Christians is a simple one. When you come into alignment with God's
will and purpose in your life blessings are bound to follow. Let me add this-- not only will they follow they will also
be ahead of you!!! Look at Abraham, Noah, David, Solomon and all the other great, heroic leaders of the faith.
They were destined and promised for so much prosperity --they wouldn't be able to hold and to count all that was
in store for them. Blessings and gifts would overspill for generations to come!!
So how do I feel about wealthy
Christians-- God bless(ed) them!!! What a wonderful thank you it would be when those
that have so much of that overflow would generously pour out some of that desperately needed oil onto others less prosperous. Maybe
one day, we can all walk into that promised land, here on earth, hand in hand together. WHY NOT
US, WHY NOT NOW?
P.S. I AM SO READY FOR THIS CD TO COME OUT --I LOVE YOU LADIES
Cheryl Ashley-Henderson Subject: Christianity and Wealth
Damita SyA'yre wrote: My conviction
on the subject at hand is as follows:
JEREMIAH
29:11-14 For I know the
plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans
to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to
you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the
LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. OK, this is one of my favorite promises from God and I believe it! His plans (my destiny) are Prosperity
[the condition of being successful and/or thriving], NOT to harm [spiritual, mental, emotional or physical damage].
In return for trusting Him who created me and knows the purpose of why I am here, I don't have to worry about yesterday,
today or tomorrow, because no matter what choices I make, He will work out everything out to His glory and my good.
He bought me back from captivity [the state of being owned or controlled]. These are the areas of modern day captivity:
Dis-Ease (spiritual, physical, mental, emotional), Poverty (spiritual, physical, mental and emotional), Hatred, Unforgiveness,
Revenge, Ignorance, Lack (spiritual, physical, mental and emotional), Adultery, Fornication, Addictions (food, sex, etc.) and
the like.
II CORINTHIANS 9:11 You will be made rich in "every" way so that you
can be generous on every occasion and thru us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God! Once you have the knowledge that turns belief, then you will have
action and faith, which makes you are unstoppable to accomplish the specific destiny that God has planned for you. That
is why I don't look at what God has blessed someone else with, because that person's destiny is not mine. When
I am ready to handle the next level of blessings, he will throw open the floodgates! But see, the key is not to have
the riches for self, but for service (meaning being a blessing in other people's lives). It's fine to have the
money and toys, but everyone must know from whom it came and those who may not necessarily know God or think that he is able
to meet every need will see you life and listen to your testimony and be granted the same opportunity for either eternal life
or eternal damnation.
DEUTERONOMY 8:18 But remember the Lord your God, for it
is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers,
as it is today. I read
this in one of my quiet times from Charles Stanley that sums it all up VERY well: Psalm 84:11
No good thing will He
withhold
from those who walk uprightly THE LORD WILL CHALLENGE YOU
TO DO WHAT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE TO YOU
HE WON'T LEAD YOU INTO SOMETHING
UNREALISTIC
THE "IMPOSSIBLE" GOALS THAT
THE LORD LAYS BEFORE YOU ARE GOALS THAT ARE KEEPING WITH
THE TALENTS AND ABILITIES
HE HAS GIVEN YOU
THESE THINGS CANNOT BE ACHIEVED APART FROM
THE USE OF YOUR FAITH
ONLY HE CAN CAUSE
ALL OF THE PIECES
TO FALL INTO PLACE
ONLY HE CAN CAUSE THE SEEDS OF
TIME, EFFORT AND SKILL
ASSOCIATED
WITH THE GOAL TO COME TO FULL FRUITION! Peace and Luv,
Damita SyA'yre
4:38 pm
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Christianity and Wealth
How do you feel about wealthy
Christians? What is your take on those who own businesses, own real estate, write books, create profitable
clothing designs, design websites and get paid thousands for it or whose music recordings cause their bank accounts to swell
up? They make about $50K a month. Add on another $30K for ministry events and they are
making way more than in six months than you make working for two years at your job! How about that?
Nowadays, we hear a lot about money.
We have those who are wholly for wealth. They believe poverty or just financial lack is a curse.
They teach their congregants how to obtain wealth and not be ashamed of it. Then we have those who
are appalled at the great wealth of some of these teachers. They think it’s a sin of some kind, to
be financially very well off. It’s just not like Jesus. What side of the fence
do you find yourself on? I heard an interesting statement the other
day that made me look at a Bible verse differently. The preacher said, “The wealth of the sinner
is stored up for the righteous” (Proverbs 13:22). Our money doesn’t
come from the church.” I have to admit I was taken aback by that. I never heard
it put that way. In reading commentary remarks, the example given was when the Israelites plundered the
Egyptians as they left for the Promised Land. All the wealth of the Egyptians was laid up for His people
and they took it when they left. If we remember the account, all they did was ask! (Exodus 12:35-36)
So, we do not rely on the people of God because they don’t have the money. This preacher was
making it clear that the wealth they obtained was not the result of “pimpin” the people of God. Don’t
you just love these new buzzwords? Pimpin? When did we start using that term to describe
the actions of Pastors and Preachers? What a time we’re living in (sigh). I have mulled it over a little. I am no possessor of great wealth at this
time, so I need not think too hard about it but I had to give it some thought. How would I feel if God
gave me an incredible idea for an invention and a company was willing to back me financially turning this idea into a goldmine
which now brings me millions in revenue? Would I feel that I didn’t deserve it and that to take some
of it and buy a beautiful big home (not the little brick house on the corner) is wrong? If I could now
spend $229 on one pair of shoes without worrying about paying my rent, would I be in sin for not going to Payless any longer?
If I only shop at Whole Foods and vowed never to darken the door of C-Town every again, am I setting the wrong example? How would you feel looking at me? Would you hate
on me because I don’t have to go to Fabco any longer? Would you look at me and think, ‘she
is not being like Jesus at all. He wouldn’t spend the money on himself.’ What
comes to mind is Judas. Remember when Mary came in with that bottle of very expensive perfume and poured
it on Jesus’ feet? Now, I have to admit, I probably would have responded like Judas, not because
I was dippin into the money bags, but because I’m a touch frugal. Okay, okay. I’m
just plain ol’ cheap. Why in the world would she take the perfume that could be sold for a high price
and waste it by pouring it on Jesus’ dirty feet?! What happened to water?! I echo
with Judas, “Why this waste?” My question to you is, do you see yourself in this?
As I come out of Versace with my new shoes, would you think to yourself, “Why is she taking $299 dollars and
using it to by shoes instead of taking that money down to the shelter and giving it to the poor? Why this
waste?” I ask this because there are some of us
out there who may not be wealthy right now but because of having an entrepreneurial spirit and because of the talents God
has given us, we will come into great wealth in the future. That is not the case for everyone but for some.
They will no longer be the ones going to Conway to get the latest knock off for $7.99 (that only last through 4 washings),
hallelujah!! They will no longer be meeting you for your weekly shopping extravaganza at the communities
beloved 99¢ Store anymore!!! How will you respond when this happens? In our hearts
and minds will you be able to say with Paul… 1 Corinthians 12:26 When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is
honored, all the members rejoice with it.
So
how do you really feel about wealthy Christians? Holla
Refining Faith
Rachel Green
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|