Prosperity on Earth

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
3rd John 1:2 (NASB)

When you think of prosperity what does it mean to you? Do you imagine a large beautiful house, filled with everything you ever wanted? Do you think of a fancy new car that turns every head as you drive by? Or, do you dream of having more money than you could possibly spend in your lifetime? Of course! This is the American dream!

Jesus says that worldly wealth makes it nearly impossible for a man to keep his mind set on God but, with God anything is possible. Wealthy churchgoers hear about this and let out a sigh of relief at the greatness of God, who provides them with this excuse to continue hoarding all their wealth and yet still remain Christian. In this way, rich churchgoers presume to strain the dirt and grit from God’s gospel with their man-made, diamond-studded sieves. But Christ says that God continues His work in men’s hearts despite their wealth.

I recently received this email about, “No Tithe for the Christian.” It is important for several reasons. It contains three huge errors concerning a Christian’s money and God’s teaching and expectation on this subject. Can you pinpoint them?

“Robin, came across your ebook on tithing. Not that I disagreed with line of reasoning but you … really gave no solutions to people who honestly want to know what they should give …. it wasn’t much help for those who want to be faithful to God with their finances and yet be responsible to their families as well …. I don’t believe that I live under the law …. Yet, I personally find 10% a good baseline, not as law, but as the only reference to what ‘my first fruits’ might be …. I guess I wished you had given more direction to helping people decide how to give than just bashing the tithing.”