Prosperity in Christ
Acts 3: 4-6 Peter
looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!"
So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do
not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of
American Christianity is so easily distracted in these, the
last days. Many are falling away or leaving sound doctrine to hear what their
itching ears want to hear (2Timothy 4:3). One such distraction which works so
well is prosperity. In latter day
So what are our blessings beloved? Do we even acknowledge them in our daily lives? The recently unemployed have a better appreciation for the blessing of a job; especially in this economy. The habitually lonely have a better appreciation for the blessings of companionship that comes from marriage. The blind appreciate the sight we take for granted. Those who cannot walk appreciate the mobility we take overlook. We deem what is a blessing often by what it is that we do not have, as opposed to what we do have and therein lies the mistake.
It is the enemy that wants you focusing on what you do not have. He knows that by keeping your attention on what you do not possess, you cannot appreciate what God has given you. The world espouses the pursuit of financial reward over everything else. The world convinces us that happiness is tied to wealth. It is in all of the advertising; regardless of the product being sold. All you need is a dollar and a dream! That is sorely lacking in understanding, as the Psalmist illustrates:
Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. Though while he lived he counted himself blessed-- and men praise you when you prosper- he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life. A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish. Psalm 49: 16-20
Yet we can be overawed with the acquisition of wealth. We can be enrapt with the lifestyles of the rich and famous. That is a horizontal perspective however. We need to think vertically as Christians. As these verses teach, even though we are praised on earth for our worldly prosperity, it is meaningless without understanding. A renowned prosperity preacher defended being given two luxury automobiles by congregants by quoting Deuteronomy 28:2:
"And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God." - Deuteronomy 28:2 (KJV)
This is a popular verse amongst prosperity preachers but they fail to grasp the context. They do not start with Deuteronomy 28:1:
