The prosperity gospel (or health and wealth gospel) started as a movement in the 1940s. It teaches that God wants Christians to be prosperous financially, physically, spiritually, and in every other aspect of life. The supporters of this gospel have influenced millions of eager listeners who are desperate to hear the promising message of the prosperity gospel.
If you’ve ever listened a prosperity preacher, you’ve probably heard some of the outrageous lines, often broadcasted to millions via televangelist and Christian radio shows. I won’t be quoting any names, but here are some lines that I’ve heard while listening to the prosperity message:
“Money Cometh to the Body of Christ”
“If you don’t give, you’re not giving the blessing anything to multiply”
“Allow the blessings to multiply your material investments.”
“We are totally free. Free from habits, addictions, fear and worry, discouragement, poverty and lack.”
And the tagline for the prosperity gospel… “Name it, Claim it!”
Could anything be more opposite to the teachings of the Bible than this! There aren’t too many things that bother me more than watching the Word of God get twisted as prosperity preachers lead thousands to literally run to the alters at churches, leaving money on the stairs with the hope and anticipation that God will multiply and lead them to a prosperous life. The reasons for giving shouldn’t be based on what you can get back in return; rather, we’re challenged in the Bible to give with a cheerful heart, not out of reluctance and under compulsion (2 Cor. 9:7)
Prosperity in the Bible
There’s no denying that the Bible is full of scriptures that tell us of God’s blessings. Unfortunately, when we solely focus on the good endings of these stories, we can miss out on the not so glamorous parts of scripture that put things into perspective.
I think it’s worth referencing a few commonly used scriptures that take God’s Word out of context in order to promote the prosperity message.
Genesis 39:2-4 The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned.
Let’s not forget that Joseph was disowned by his own brothers, sold into slavery and thrown into prison. Even after this encouraging verse showing God’s favor on Joseph’s life, we read how Joseph was falsely accused of sleeping with Potiphar’s wife. He was put back into prison and then released again later to become ruler of Egypt. Here’s a perfect example of someone who had the blessings of God on his life, yet still faced unimaginable troubles.
Psalm 1:3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither and they prosper in all they do.
The Bible uses hundreds of agricultural references and the example of bearing fruit is a reflection of righteous living. It’s just as we would read in Matthew 7:17 as Jesus teaches us that good fruit cannot come from bad trees, and that good trees cannot produce bad fruit. It’s an encouragement to study God’s Word so that our actions (our fruit) will be good so the message of God’s love can be shared to everyone.
Deuteronomy 28:11 The Lord will give you prosperity in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, blessing you with many children, numerous livestock, and abundant crops.
When put in the context of the Old Testament covenant between God and Israel, prosperity was used as a sign of God’s approval and blessing. Today, we don’t live under the requirements of the law – we live under the freedom of God’s grace according to Romans 6:14. We have an even greater covenant with God and an even more prosperous promise through His son Jesus Christ. To say that material possessions, riches, health, and worldly wealth are promises from God is to completely discount the ultimate sacrifice that Christ made. Christ is our promise, not wealth, health, or success here on earth.
Here are a few more scriptures that are often taken out of context by prosperity gospel preachers.
Malachi 3:10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do, I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessings so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”
Matthew 25:14-30 The Parable of the Ten Talents
John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
Philippians 4:19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
3 John 1:2 Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Why The Prosperity Gospel Is Wrong
The prosperity gospel says that it’s OK to pursue riches and that worldly wealth is a sign of God’s blessing. Here’s the thing – the Bible is clear in telling us that riches are a dangerous thing to pursue. It’s not that money is evil in itself. Money can be used for great things. But as soon as we make riches and prosperity our pursuit, our priorities get all screwed up. That’s exactly the point behind the story of the rich young ruler and Jesus found in Matthew 19: 16-30.
It wasn’t enough for the rich ruler to keep all the commandments. Jesus specifically brought up his wealth because the young ruler made it a priority in his life. It was so much of a priority that he valued it more than following Christ.
When we turn our focus away from sharing the Gospel message and promote the promise of prosperity in health and worldly wealth, we are clearly forgetting the purpose of the Gospel.
Jesus said if we want to be his disciples, we must to take up our cross daily and follow him. The phrase take up your cross means that you will face suffering in this life. Being a follower of Christ isn’t well taken in a world that is full of sin. There will be difficult times for everyone – that’s a reality.
I listened to Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church talk about the prosperity Gospel. In his message he made four excellent rebuttals to common prosperity gospel promises that often get twisted. The prosperity gospel quote is bolded and his rebuttal (paraphrased) follows.
1. God wants you to always have great relationships.
Jesus’ family disowned him, his friends abandoned him, Judas betrayed him and the crowds screamed Crucify him. Jesus appears to have had occasional relational strains.
2. God doesn’t want you to have pain.
Did Jesus ever suffer pain? He was beaten, whipped, and crucified – one of the most excruciating ways to die.
3. God doesn’t want you to be a victim, but a victor.
Jesus was a victim: false accusations, false witnesses, trials, condemnation, an execution. Sounds like Jesus was victimized, doesn’t it?
4. If you really trust God, you won’t have anything to worry about and you won’t have any anxiety.
Remember the Garden of Gethsemane? Jesus was stressed to the point of sweating blood.
I’ll finish with one of the most powerful verses that help us to understand the role of wealth and contentment in our lives is found in 1st Timothy 6:6-9
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
What are your thoughts on the prosperity gospel?
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree with the points you made, and what was most in my heart was the last scripture you used in 1 Timothy regarding the importance of contentment. I believe the prosperity gospel also steals away the focus of our endurance, which is our heavenly home. I’ve heard health and wealth preachers say, “You’re so heavenly minded, you’re no earthly good” – convincing people that they shouldn’t be looking forward, and upward. It’s sad, especially when the truth is that we are sojourners here, and the rewards and promises that we are assured are awaiting us beyond this life. Hebrews 11:13-16 talks about the OT ‘fathers’ (who all attained earthly wealth), and explains that they all died w/o receiving the promises, making it clear that the true rewards were not on this earth.
Christians need to have a sojourner mindset again – I believe that would correct our thinking about many issues with which we get ensnared.This is just one small piece of the many other problems I have with the prosperity message, but I am glad for all that you have shared. Great article, Tim!
Thanks Sherrian
The prosperity message is perhaps the most dangerous thing in the church today from within. It wants to the promise you the exact 3 things satan tempted Christ (who vehemently rejected) with in the desert. 1 John 2:15-17 I am just a very common person. Here is my take. R.I.C.H.E.S. Riches Inherently Cause Havoc to Earthly-minded Sinners. Read 1 Timothy 6:9-10 Our flesh automatically desires all the health, wealth, and prosperity we can get. Dying daily to self relives that torment in our lives.
I just finished rereading Becoming a Millionaire God’s Way by Dr C. Thomas Anderson. I got this book a few years ago after attending a church gathering that also included Robert Kiyosaki, T.D. Jakes and others.
One scripture I like is Matthew 19:23-24. Assuredly I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
For someone knowledgable of the Bible, it’s essential to also be knowledgable about money. It’s easy to lose track of the two and then have money become your god.
Hey Tom,
Yes, that scripture is a good one. I wrote about it here Eye of the Needle…Can the Rich Go to Heaven?
Excellent point about money becoming your god – that’s exactly what it shouldn’t be!
Great post! I think one of the things the prosperity gospel fails to remember is that God promises that we will have what we NEED when we follow him and when we are good stewards of what he has given us. Sometimes that means that we find ways to pay our bills and be frugal. Sometimes that means we go through trials that give us strength. But what we NEED isn’t necessarily going to be worldly wealth. When we start seeing worldly wealth as a sign of righteousness, we’re treading on very dangerous ground indeed.
Excellent point Miranda. Worldly wealth is NOT tied to righteousness in any way. It’s always a good reminder to know that God supplies all our needs, even if it doesn’t seem like it.
The problem with the prosperity gospel (as well as many other modern day teaching) is that its proponents USE Scripture rather than teach it.
True…but an even bigger issue is widespread Biblical illiteracy. In other words, a lot of well meaning believers are not even reading their Bibles on a regular basis and instead relying on others to interpret for them. It’s an even bigger tragedy considering how widely available the Bible is nowadays…whether it is in printed form, in audio form, or even video form.
Tim,
Well done! I appreciate all of the comments too. You have some astute readers! I agree with Ron Haynes that the prosperity gospel preachers USE scripture instead of teach it. If they were correct, we would need to rip 1 Timothy 6:6-9 out of our bibles.
On a sort of side note…Mark Driscoll is a good one to listen to!
First, most proponents of the so called PG maintain that prosperity is not the gospel in and of itself but rather an intrinsic part of the gospel available to you after you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. The primary thing that is wrong with the teaching of prosperity is its over emphasis to the point of excessiveness.
Secondly, I have found that scripture teaches many things of which are fundamental truths and balance (for the lack of an appropriate word at this time) in most things pertaining to this life, especially when you speak about prosperity or other controversial christian issues. Most, if not all christians do not espouse a lifestyle of poverty and would rather be “…..properous and in good health.”
Thirdly, I find it very strange that christians who view prosperity from the negative perspective of PG teachers seem to thank God when they are blessed financially. That requires a hummmmmmmmm……..
Been a christain in Nigeria a developing economy where half the population are living on less than a dollar and are overwhemly christain. Prosperity message is a sell out understandably so riding on poverty of million to built supperich pastor who are refusing to preach the messege of the cross or christ and member that have poor kwonlegde of the word of God. Am praying for them everyday join me brother.
Wow, I love the way you finished this post. I’ve often heard the quote “for the love of money is the root of all evil,” but I’ve never read 1st Timothy 6:6-9 until right now, in this post. What a beautiful passage.
Tim- I wholeheartedly agree with most of what you’ve said in this article. God is NOT a slot machine and will NOT bless us in our disobedience, and, since He knows our hearts, He knows our motivations for tithing and such. However, you said at one point, “To say that material possessions, riches, health, and worldly wealth are promises from God is to completely discount the ultimate sacrifice that Christ made. Christ is our promise, not wealth, health, or success here on earth,” and I am curious as to why you included health in this list? My experience has been exactly the opposite.
In defense of the teachings of prosperity and health…
“Wealth and riches” are not worldly nor evil inherently. Nowhere does the bible say that. To make wealth and riches “worldly” and evil is contradictory to the person, nature, and environment of God. Phi 4:19 says God supplies our needs according to HIS RICHES in glory. Scripture says in Haggai 2:8 that “the silver and gold” is God’s. It also says in Haggai 2:7 that God’s desire was to fill the temple with the “wealth of all nations.” God’s understanding of “worldly wealth” is not something to be denied, avoided, or rejected, but He thinks its so good and godly that he wanted to build and furnish His temple with it- the most holiest place in the planet.
What i’m trying to express is that “wealth and riches” are not ungodly, evil, or demonic in God’s eyes. What scripture is saying from a holistic and systematic perspective is that WEALTH IS GODLY. It’s akin to sex. In God’s economy and system (marriage), sex is holy, beautiful and meant to be enjoyed abundantly. However, in the devil’s system (world system) it becomes perverted, misused, and the means of evil. To hate “health and wealth” is to miss out on the blessing of what Jesus came to release in the church. Prosperity and abundance is intrinsic in the Kingdom of God. Faith and obedience to God’s laws and systems concerning prosperity and healing will cause them to manifest.
Additionally, the only thing that can cause anyone (rich man or poor man) not to be able to enter the Kingdom is FAITH. Not how much money one has, but how much faith that person has. In Mt 19:23-24 and Mk 10 (the stories of the rich young ruler), the emphasis isn’t on how much money he has, but how much faith. The reason why Jesus says it’s harder for the rich to enter heaven is because faith has to be released in the person. It’s hard to find a “need” for God when you have things. It doesn’t mean you worship money, but faith isn’t as easy as a poor person (in many instances). Your bank account is not a detriment to entering the Kingdom. It’s all a matter of faith. Perfect example, Abraham. Abraham was very wealthy and rich. However, God called him friend. Why? Because Abraham had faith. This is why we are even called children of Abraham as believers.
The bible is clear that the gospel Jesus preached and had the disciples preach was divinely connected to natural manifestations. A critical part of the great commission is to heal the sick (Mark 16:15-18). The idea of “health and wealth” is extremely tied to the gospel message. To remove them is to invalidate and neuter the gospel message and the assignment of Jesus. Scripture says as Jesus sent the disciples out preaching the GOSPEL it included (Luke 9:1-6).
The presence of the gospel in our lives always is to produce a physical manifestation and reality.
I couldn’t have said this better myself!
The contextual recipients of the promises here are the 11 apostles.
A helpful method of evaluating these verses is to compare the post resurrection narratives in a blended or parallel manner. Note the “unbelief” that characterized all the apostles.
Luke 24:10–11 (ESV) 10Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
Mark 16:10–11 (ESV) 10She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.
So also to the two on the road to Emmaus: Luke 24:25 (ESV) And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
Matthew 28:16–17 (ESV) 16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
And last of all Thomas: John 20:24–25 (ESV) 24Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
Jesus is not promising that all these “signs” will accompany/follow whoever believes their gospel. He is promising his unbelieving disciples that just as He had said, He would not leave them and would send His Holy Spirit to empower them – validating their commission and message with these signs – “if they would believe.” Now reread the entire account:
Mark 16:9–20 (ESV) 9Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10She went and told [those who had been with him], as they mourned and wept. 11But when [they] heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, [they would not believe it]. 12After these things he appeared in another form [to two of them], as [they] were walking into the country. 13And [they] went back and told the rest, but [they did not believe them]. 14Afterward he appeared to [the eleven themselves] as they were reclining at table, [and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed] those who saw him after he had risen. 15And he said to [them], “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany [those who believe]: in my name [they] will cast out demons; [they] will speak in new tongues; 18[they] will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; [they] will lay their hands on the sick, and [they] will recover.” 19So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to [them], was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20And [they] went out and preached verywhere, while the Lord worked with [them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs].
Verses 15 & 16 are speaking about the response of those who hear the gospel. Verse 17 refers back to the 11 apostles – as confirmed by the prounouns used through the rest of the passage.
We see this confirmed in the ministry of [the apostles]:
Acts 5:15–16 (ESV) 15so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
Acts 8:7 (ESV) 7For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. (also 16:18)
Acts 19:12 (ESV) 12so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.
Acts 2:4 (ESV) 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Luke 10:19 (ESV) 19Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
Acts 28:4-5 (ESV) 4When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
Unwavering faith in Jesus also brings martyrdom and severe persecution for many. It’s terribly misleading to tell people that the Good News physically manifests wealth, health, and prosperity. The Good News of Jesus is that He prospers our souls to endure and perservere.
Lusting for money is the modern day Golden Calf. God help us!
Sow seeds (money) to reap a Harvest. Yeah they are reaping a harvest alright but it’s the Prosperity teachers reaping the cash. The economy is on a down turn. God will have no other gods before him, not even materialism and money.
Matthew 6:24 “you cannot serve two masters, you will either hate one and love the other, you can’t serve both God and money.
My friends Pastor made fun of her raggedy car. He only wanted shiny new or expensive cars in the church parking lot to prove his tithing and sowing money seeds message worked. The Church has fallen prey to materialism and mammon. Now we are judged by our bank accounts and this is the measure of God’s approval. Too bad they don’t realize Jesus said deny yourself and take up your cross if you want to follow him.
I don’t think he meant the cross on the chain that goes around the neck. Most of the Apostles and early church fathers suffered or died Martyrs. How does this line up with get money dollar bills gospel of prosperity teaching?
Prosperity, as with health, as with “every good gift and every perfect gift is from the Father……” I’d rather hear a prosperity gospel than a gospel teaching and preaching by someone teaching I must be in poverty and live a lackluster life. Even the world knows that poverty, sickness, and evil are not acceptable; and, as we recall what Jesus said which is still very telling today, “the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light.” Also, the original intent of the Father was that his kids live as he lives, and that definitely is not in proverty, lack, sickness, or evil. Again, I think those who hear and understand the prosperity message have to mantain balance and discern who the teachers of false doctrine are and be the like the Bereans. In this world, most christians should neither seek riches, nor take a vow of poverty…..however we should, as Jesus has said, seek the “true riches.” The “true riches” can only be found by careful study of the Word of God and clearly revealed by the Spirit of God.
There is absolutely nothing you can say to a person blinded by the god of this world about the truth in the bible that he/she will understand. Many people are already deceived and are blinded by the god of this world. Let us all pray that the God in heaven and of our Lord Jesus Christ remove the scale on their eyes and the blinds on their hearts to see the truth but nevertheless those who will be lost will be lost. In the book of 1 Tim. 4:1 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of the devils.” Friends, many shall be lost to the satanic gospel spreading like wildfire but we must also intervene and intercept to reduce the number of people that will be lost and we cannot do this unless we are also radical like wild fire. Remember Heaven suffers violence, and the violent ones takes it by Force.
For those who are in earnest expectation of the coming of my Lord Jesus Christ, read Col. 3:1-4 and even the whole of it. Be encouraged brothers.
Your brother,
Gideon.
I agree that the prosperity gospel is a dangerous idea. That doesn’t mean that God doesn’t mean for His people to prosper, though — there’s plenty of evidence in Scripture that He does. But that prosperity comes as a result of diligent work, righteous living, and faithful generosity.
I really hate it that so many people who embrace the prosperity gospel also seem somewhat adverse to good, hard work. Working hard is the first step in reaching Godly prosperity. I have a whole post on the idea over at my blog “God, Money & Me” — http://godmoneyme.com/2011/12/01/providing-it-starts-with-work/
Its a scam by church leaders to milk more money from you. Prosperity gospel tells you to “invest” in God. What a phoney! Name it, claim it. They’ll just tell you that there’s nothing to lose when your prayers (to satify ones’ covetousness) aren’t answered.
The false declarations of the prosperity Gospel.
(1) Those teachers pretend that tithes and offering are formula for those who are seeking to get rich and material wealth. Therefore you need to give money to the preacher or pastor to make him rich first.
– They use the story of Elijah and the widow (1King17:8-14) to pretend that church people should overwhelm their leader with all the money if they want to see material blessing. Please (first), it is no sin to give to our church leaders, but in the case of Elijah, he asked for a <>, not a mansion nor a Jaguar nor a Mercedes, but a <>. Elijah was not greedy!! (second) The miracle for the material need took place immediately to cope with the immediate needs of the widow. Elijah had the grace of God to bring such a miracle but within reasonable time frame comparable to the needs. Today’s preachers will take your money and stay with it for years and years, without you seeing any outcome and feed you with promises.
– Jesus multiplying the bread from the young boy (Jhn6:1-16). Jesus did not even take the bread to eat for himself first like Elijah did. He took the break thank God and multiplied it. Without being the one to fill his stomach first. Again the miracle took place on the spot without delay. Jesus did not eat and ask people to wait for the miracle some day.
– Jesus Multiplied the FISH for Peter and his friends (5:1-11). The fishermen never gave anything to Jesus, he just have compassion of them. And they fished more than what they ever fished before. Again the miracle took place on the spot within reasonable delay to meet the prevailing need. They never made Jesus become rich first, they never gave Him anything.
– More examples are (1) Moses with the children of Israel, the Manna fell for everyone, the people did not give Moses abundant money or bread first BUT God sent the material blessing for all (2) Joseph in Egypt, the material blessing came to all the Egyptians (3) Elisha with Prophet’s widow, the widow never gave anything to Elisha and her needs were met by the miracle (4) Jesus with water turned into wine (John 2), people gave nothing to Jesus yet Jesus performed the miracle to meet their need in time. and more….
Conclusion:
————–
All the miracle related to those who commanded such a grace for material blessing took place within the time frame that meet the need with no unnecessary delays. The doers never requested to be filled with any material for the miracle to take place. — The miracle was for the benefit of a large group including unbelievers, such is the case for Moses, Joseph, and Jesus.
— Today many prosperity teachers pretend to command the power or the grace that looks strange, they seem to be more interested to fill their own pockets. And the miracles never take place within the time frame related to the needs.
The false declarations of the prosperity Gospel.
(1) Those teachers pretend that tithes and offering are formula for those who are seeking to get rich and material wealth. Therefore you need to give money to the preacher or pastor to make him rich first.
– They use the story of Elijah and the widow (1King17:8-14) to pretend that church people should overwhelm their leader with all the money if they want to see material blessing. Please (first), it is no sin to give to our church leaders, but in the case of Elijah, he asked for a small cake, not a mansion nor a Jaguar nor a Mercedes, but a small cake. Elijah was not greedy!! (second) The miracle for the material need took place immediately to cope with the immediate needs of the widow. Elijah had the grace of God to bring such a miracle but within reasonable time frame comparable to the needs. Today’s preachers will take your money and stay with it for years and years, without you seeing any outcome and feed you with promises.
– Jesus multiplying the bread from the young boy (Jhn6:1-16). Jesus did not even take the bread to eat for himself first like Elijah did. He took the break thank God and multiplied it. Without being the one to fill his stomach first. Again the miracle took place on the spot without delay. Jesus did not eat and ask people to wait for the miracle some other days.
– Jesus Multiplied the FISH for Peter and his friends (5:1-11). The fishermen never gave anything to Jesus, he just had compassion of them. And they fished more than what they ever fished before. Again the miracle took place on the spot within reasonable delay to meet the prevailing need. They never made Jesus become rich first, they never gave Him anything.
– More examples are (1) Moses with the children of Israel, the Manna fell for everyone, the people did not give Moses abundant money or bread first BUT God sent the material blessing for all (2) Joseph in Egypt, the material blessing came to all the Egyptians (3) Elisha with Prophet’s widow, the widow never gave anything to Elisha and her needs were met by the miracle (4) Jesus with water turned into wine (John 2), people gave nothing to Jesus yet Jesus performed the miracle to meet their need in time. and more….
Conclusion:
————–
All the miracle related to those who commanded such a grace for material blessing took place within the time frame that meet the need with no unnecessary delays. The doers never requested to be filled with any material for the miracle to take place. — The miracle was for the benefit of a large group including unbelievers, such is the case for Moses, Joseph, and Jesus.
— Today many prosperity teachers pretend to command the power or the grace that looks strange, they seem to be more interested to fill their own pockets. And the miracles never take place within the time frame related to the needs.
— Imagine a servant or a baby sitter who is sent to take care of the children but urges those children to fill his stomach first? Will the master take pleasure into such a servant?.
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