Christians. Did Jesus come to bless us with worldly wealth?

Question

It's called the "prosperity message". It is a spiritual poison in our churches today. It comes in different forms. One is "name it and claim it" kind of prayer. You tell God how much money you want and claim in faith. Another is when pastor says, "You give 10% and God will give you back 100 fold!"
We should not be focused on worldly riches and pastors and evangelists should not lure people to give by telling them that God will give them more in return.

Jesus said, "Woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full." Luke 6:24

Isaiah tells us that the Christ will be "a man of sorrows", "aquainted with grief", "despised and afflicted" Isaiah 53:4

In the wilderness temptation, Satan offered Jesus "all the kingdoms of the world" and Jesus turned it down. Matt 4:8-9

"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare..." 1Tim 6:9

They quote the old testament where worldly riches were their reward. That's not what Jesus taught.

To the grit - Did you even read what I wrote? I'm saying it's WRONG for Christians to want to be rich, to give to get more back. At least get what I said right before you down it.

Grit - I am a Christian so why would I insult Christians. The question and the answer go together, they are contradictory.

I meant the aren't contradictory. They're both meant to make the same point.

To Tommiecat - No, they weren't wrong, they were under the old covenant.

Answer 1

I didn't read anywhere in the New testament where Jesus made anyone wealthy.
He said the poor you will always have with you.
He himself wasn't wealthy.

There is a cult of the name it and claim it around.
It has been around for a long time.
Kenneth Hagan was a starter. Kenneth Copland Al Capps, Freddie Price are a few of these people who preach this kind of Christianity.
They however are the ones who are getting rich, from the people who listen to them.

Answer 2

Jesus came to die on the cross so that through Him we might be saved.

But I think you are both right and also quite wrong in your conclusion. I agree there is far too much emphasis upon prosperity teaching but it is the LOVE of money that takes us captive not the money itself. Prosperity teaching has for many, become a snare.

The Bible says we can't serve two masters

Mat 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (KJV)

mammon = money

But if we are careful to ensure that our money remains our servent and not our master, then we can continue to serve Jesus.

Not everyone can handle wealth but God intends that we should all prosper, but only insofar as we can cope with it, and the same goes for any other form of prosperity, fame, power or sucess as examples. It's also worth mentioning that God often see's our prosperity somewhat differently than we do.

As for giving 10% as a tithe, I believe that God uses this as a reminder for us to guage our mastery over money. God does reward those who are good stewards over the things He gives us. Primarily this means being obedient and true to His word, but it also applies to our wealth.

It's a fact that God is all powerful, but He uses people and He also uses their resources (including money). I think all Christians would do well to regard all their belongings, first and foremost His.

Answer 3

Eternal life is much better than worldly wealth. And we all know that wicked people sometimes become wealthy.
But we shouldn't expect to be supported by others' labor when we are capable of contributing: 2 Thessalonians 3:10: "Anyone who is unwilling to work shall not eat."
We shouldn't assume that God is our Divine Sugardaddy, who will give us whatever we ask for, right or wrong. It is fine to ask God for what you want, but not to demand it. God may have a better idea.
St. Paul said, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:12
That's a pretty good plan.

Answer 4

Now you want Christ to give you money. First his life, then money.

It's no wonder I'm not a Christian.

This passage ("You give 10% and God will give you back 100 fold!") is not referring to financial wealth. It means love. That was Christ's message all along. How some of you distort that message is beyond me.

EDIT: Yes, I read what you wrote. What you asked and what you wrote are contradictory. So, I responded to your question as that came first.

If you are trying to insult me or Christians, you might want to work on your writing skills before you do so. Your attempts at sarcasm, if you can call it that, were unsuccessful.

EDIT: Either I've forgotten how to read, or you don't make any sense.

Answer 5

Yummygood, you answered your own question Good!! If you makes money your god, then you are breaking the first commandment. If pastors use this feel good message with empty promises not from God, they will have to answer for this! To ask for money to support their church is necessary and right. God wants His Word told by His Messengers (the pastors). For the church to continue, the pastors and anyone working in the church need income, along with building expenses. Also, the bible teaches we are to support them, which does include monetary support. The pastors are to trust in the Lord without using wrong messages as ways to support their ministries, or they need to pray for strength in their trust in God!! God blesses us in different ways as He feels. Some of us are blessed with riches, some are not --maybe He feels some of us can handle it without weakening our faith, but wealth IS NOT a sure sign of God's working in your life!! Be content with whatever God gives you without question and be very careful of the Candy preachers who only preach half the message. A preacher of God tells the whole truth, the good and bad, nothing hidden to get people lured to the church. The Word is a bitter sweet message as stated in Revelation. Both bitter and sweet, warning and hope. God bless

Answer 6

Of course not. Jesus came to save our souls.

The bible also says "the first (rich) shall be last and the last (poor) shall be first".

Priests are not allowed to have any possessions of their own and they don't. They are cared for by the church, which is the people really.

Woe to the rich, etc...means you are getting your comfort in full, in this world, (for you won't in the next.)

Of course Christ is a man of sorrows...our sins are his pain...that is why he came, to cleanse us so we may make it to heaven.

Satan tempted Jesus too...and he of course tempts us too.

"They that are rich fall into temptation and a snare"...well how many times do we need to see this before we believe it? Temptation traps them into a life that ruins them.

Worldly riches are not our reward. That's not why we are here on earth. We're here to learn to something, to strive to be worthy of God's kingdom. That's the only reason.

We are asked to believe by FAITH alone...no proof of God will be shown to us, he's done that once and we just have faith to guide us till he comes again.

Everyone has their own free will to believe what they will, that is the only way as the devil is but a fallen angel, and I guess God wants us all to choose at this point, and in the end, we will all be judged, finally and eternally. That's what I believe.

And as for your first paragraph, there are many false prophets in the church. Some believe that evil priests broke away from the one and only true church which Jesus established and formed thier own (man-made) churches based on their beliefs. I believe this to be true. King James re-wrote the bible...so why do people follow that version as truth? Chances are it's not.

Come on, who in their right mind would believe in the likes of Tammy Faye and whatever her idiot husband was named...these are people of GOD?? Holy cow I have some swampland in Florida to sell you.

Evil finds its way even into the churches, and often hides in the churches. So don't let the bad apples destroy God's temples, as that is the reason they hide there.

There is a holy trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The holy spirit lives within you (if you accept God) and will guide you. Therefore listen to your instincts, resist temptation, and you will come to know many blessings in your life.

Frankly, if God blesses you with riches of this world, the test you must stand is harder still. I don't think He expects you to give up your riches, in so much as he wants you to put them to good use. So do good for others if you have the power to. Save lost souls, give people confidence, give to charities, feed the hungry, change the world.

There is a reason for the saying "for those with great power, great things are expected." or however it goes.

You are entrusted to do good.

This is why I despise these evil celebrities...Paris Hilton especially even looks like the devil...as they have the power to make positive changes and inspire the world, instead they tantilize and corrupt young minds and my God, how can they ever atone for the sins they commit? Never, they can't. So I hope they enjoy what they have while it lasts.

Answer 7

I think the older singer, Ray Stevens, put it best when he wrote the song "Would Jesus wear A Rolex on His Television Show?" No, a rich man wanted to come with Jesus but he couldn't part with his money and give it to the poor, so Jesus told that parable about it being harder for a rich man to enter heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle. @8-)

Answer 8

You are right, we should not care about worldly wealth...

....But if u truely do not care about money and physical possesions, you wouldnt minde giving ur tenth to the chuch, no matter how silly the people in charge makes it seem.

I dont give my 10th because ppl tell me that ill get more in return, but because i know that in the world, the church does need money to be able to do what they do. And i want to support my church.

The Grit is right, what u get back is love and what you need, not neccasarily money.

Answer 9

I guess by your logic Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and King Solomon were all wrong. They were all very blessed of the riches of this world. The verses you make reference to just warn us not to let riches corrupt us.

And for those who think Jesus was poor forget that 3 wise men at his birth gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. When you give gifts to a king you don't give him just a little. I believe their camels were loaded down

Answer 10

the element is...if Jesus is actual, and what occurred grow to be actual...it grow to be a grimy, violent, bloody affair. each physique is so indifferent from that form of discomfort recently with discomfort killers and hospitals and what no longer...that that's tricky to appreciate. to get exhilaration from the sacrifice, the sacrifice must be totally understood. i think of that's what they're getting at in a manner, they're purely doing it poorly. yet i does not understand, i'm a non believer and by no ability watch televangelists.