Reverend Price Senior Pastor of the Faith Dome on Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles was quoted in an advertisment as saying "I always obey God that is why I succeed at everthing I do", this leads to three (3) Philosophical questions the last one being the most difficult!, First (1st) If I (downtown)always obey God, Will I also succeed at everthing I do? Second (2nd) If you always obey God will you succeed at everthing you do? and last; How do you explaian the fact that there are some people who do succeed at everthing they do but it's doubfull that they always obey God? Does The fact that there are some pepole who succeed at everything they do INVALIDATES and PULLS THE RUG out of Reverend Price's Quote?
2007-04-09 10:23:17 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
A theology of prosperity is a dangerous undertaking, IMO. The corollary which is rarely addressed is this: All of the material "have-nots" of the world must be (at worst) living out the consequences of their faithlessness or (at least) ignorant of how easy it would be to change their circumstances if they only knew the right words to say and believe. Could there be that many millions who just aren't saying "the prayer of Jabez" right?
My experience is that faithfulness (obeying God) challenges me to act in a way that the current culture of wealth and materialism labels a failure. Who defines what "successful" is, anyway? If it means having lots of things and money, then I'm not sure it jives with the gospel I read.
I do believe that there is a consequence, a reward even, for faithfulness to God. But I don't think it is something that humanity can require a schedule from God for when we will receive it. We will certainly first have to "die" unto our own selfish desires, and we just might have to die for real before our reward is revealed.
Re: the first two questions: Yes, a person will succeed if they obey God. The prophet Jeremiah says if you seek God with all your heart . . .that you will find God. But don't be surprised if you find difficult challenges waiting for you that aren't the least bit glamorous. And don't feel misled when you encounter trials or even suffering. Paul reminds readers of his letter to the Romans that ultimately, suffering leads to a joy that does not disappoint.
And the 3rd question. Again the question is begged, who defines "success"? I'm sure there are wealthy, healthy, influential people in the world who aren't obedient to God. But none of these categories define success according to obedience to God. In many ways, obedience and faithfulness are their own reward.
2007-04-09 12:10:05 · answer #1 · answered by Cowboy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obeying God. The rule of your religion are there to show you the meaning of right and wrong. To indicate to you what the people you are living with think is acceptable. You have to decide how much if any of what they want is what you are able to accept. Stealing is wrong but so is dening a child food. So if you steal to give your child food is that wrong, for example.
Being successful is having enough of what you think is necessary. Again two car, a motorbike and a lift to school every day is excessive in my oppinion to some one else it may not be.
Are you getting the pattern. It is what you are willing to compromise at that will make you a success not what other peolpe say or think about you. Set boundaries for your self and you can respect others. I wonder how many time you will get told that in your life time.Its a funny old world out here but its you that have to justify to God how and what you do, every day.There are two types of people who suceed at every thing they do, those like the Rev who try to do the right thing and accept that they will not allways get it right and those that are dishonest and think that they get away with it. Dishonest meanning not strieght with themselves, justifying what they do with some half truth ect., You have to look at what the successful individual has given up to get where they are not what they have gained. Are they actually part of the community or outside it?
2007-04-09 11:33:28 · answer #2 · answered by green thumb 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is another factor you didn't insert! What are the ways God gives us direction! The Bible is always the top response here, but what if this pastor did something you thought immoral or maybe dishonest and said God told him to do it? I mean the Bible is way vague about some issues, and then you have your biblical assumptions compared to your biblical interpretations. If I see black you may see white. What is God saying here? Just respond to his statement as personal opinion and you won't get freaked out over mistranslations! What about those who use things we see as coincidence as Gods leading? Then you have those who get a feeling? Brother, you just can't take everything religious people say as factual, or non-factual. However, seek wisdom! Not just biblical wisdom too!
2007-04-09 10:49:06 · answer #3 · answered by delux_version 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
There is no connection. It is just radom connectivity at the best. Being good, if that is what you think god wants from us, has no bearing on whether you are successful or are not successful.
There are millions of examples of good people succeeding and evil people succeeding. Of course I didn't delve on what is the defintion of successful. I don't have time for that right now.
2007-04-09 10:46:57 · answer #4 · answered by Tom _ Red Sox fan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes yes yes.That advertisement is true.I have that experience.But not everything.most of the things.You can do so many good things and you will see.
But some peoples are doing bad things.There are also success.Some day they are suffer.They will go to hell.There
dead time is bad experience.
2007-04-09 15:20:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How can you obey someone who refuses to speak? I don't know what God wants. What does God want? The only thing we have are ideas of what people think God wants.
2007-04-09 11:13:17 · answer #6 · answered by sugarpacketchad 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're not asking a question. Why are there so many people like you that spew anger and resentment at people of faith?
Christ said that his kingdom was not of this world.
2007-04-09 18:37:09 · answer #7 · answered by Michael M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Answer to this question depends on what do you mean by the word success?
If it's referring to wealth, business and material things, then the answer to the first question is no. The goods of this world are not important to God. If you obey God's word, you will never achieve success in that sphere. Read the Bible... that's all I can say...
Luke 18:22 (KJV)
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
You may indeed amass your wealth... but I strongly recommend you amass your spiritual bond with people because:
Matthew 25:40 (KJV)
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
2007-04-09 11:04:02 · answer #8 · answered by Clara 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Obedience to God is not about success, at least in any worldly sense of the term-- it is about fidelity.
2007-04-09 14:14:49 · answer #9 · answered by Timaeus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't trust people who tell you exactly what you want to hear. He's a salesman and nothing else and nothing more.
2007-04-09 10:36:43 · answer #10 · answered by zeroartmac 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋