Here is an email I sent to a close friend, who wants me to join this "Christian runned", get-rich-quick business scheme.
Brother,
I know you will disagree with me, but as the old adage goes "it takes money to make money". The whole thing sounds like another pyramid scheme. Anytime someone says, "You can make quick money", red flashing signs go off. When the Scripture says, "a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous" (Pro.13:22) it is NOT a promise or guarantee but a setting forth an ideal situation that God may choose to work in His providence to reverse the economic status of individuals. It is a similar interpretation of the verse that says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" (Pro.22:6). The perfect parents in this world could have Hell-raising children that will never embrace their parent's faith in Christ. But more often than not, God speaks of His people in a state of impoverishment. See a few examples which you know already:
Ps. 37:16a "Better the little that the righteous have"
Pro.15:16a "Better a little with the fear of the Lord"
Pro.16:8a "Better a little with righteousness"
Pro.19:1a "Better a poor man whose walk is blameless"
Pro.19:22b "Better to be poor than a liar."
Pro.28:6 "Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse."
Rom.15:26 The Jerusalem believers were called by Paul "the poor among the saints" and needed money from other churches
II Cor.8:9 Our Lord Jesus was born by God's Decree into "poverty" (In Luke 2:24, Jesus' parents offered two small pigeons in keeping with the sacrifice permitted by the law for the poor Jews of the land [see Lev.12:8])
Luke 21:3 The Lord puts up a poor widow as an example to follow in giving to His church
I Tim.5:5 Paul commands the church to care for the godly widows who were "needy"
James 2 implies there will always be hungry and naked Christians needing assistance among God's elect people
Heb.11:37 gives numerous Bible characters that were "destitute", yet shining examples for you and me
And this is just a few. I am not trying to "school" you. You know this already. I just have to let out some passion that has got me upset with the greater number of "supposed churches" and "professed Christians", who have swallowed the Prosperity Gospel Movement and the Word-Faith Movement. Both movements are nothing less than lies from the Devil, only ready to deceive mere professors of religion. As if the apostolic Gospel was meant to make the sons of men "healthy, wealthy, and wise". The Gospel I read in my Bible says things will get worse in this life once you truly embrace Christ. Acts 14:22 says, "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" and II Tim.3:12 says, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted". Jesus told His followers, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace,but a sword" (Matt.10:34) This doesn't sound like peaches 'n' cream to me.
Sorry for such a long email. I try to keep emails brief and to the point. Pease don't be mad at me. I am mainly expressing my frustration at other "Christians" and not you.
In His Blood,
Gus
Brother,
I know you will disagree with me, but as the old adage goes "it takes money to make money". The whole thing sounds like another pyramid scheme. Anytime someone says, "You can make quick money", red flashing signs go off. When the Scripture says, "a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous" (Pro.13:22) it is NOT a promise or guarantee but a setting forth an ideal situation that God may choose to work in His providence to reverse the economic status of individuals. It is a similar interpretation of the verse that says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" (Pro.22:6). The perfect parents in this world could have Hell-raising children that will never embrace their parent's faith in Christ. But more often than not, God speaks of His people in a state of impoverishment. See a few examples which you know already:
Ps. 37:16a "Better the little that the righteous have"
Pro.15:16a "Better a little with the fear of the Lord"
Pro.16:8a "Better a little with righteousness"
Pro.19:1a "Better a poor man whose walk is blameless"
Pro.19:22b "Better to be poor than a liar."
Pro.28:6 "Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse."
Rom.15:26 The Jerusalem believers were called by Paul "the poor among the saints" and needed money from other churches
II Cor.8:9 Our Lord Jesus was born by God's Decree into "poverty" (In Luke 2:24, Jesus' parents offered two small pigeons in keeping with the sacrifice permitted by the law for the poor Jews of the land [see Lev.12:8])
Luke 21:3 The Lord puts up a poor widow as an example to follow in giving to His church
I Tim.5:5 Paul commands the church to care for the godly widows who were "needy"
James 2 implies there will always be hungry and naked Christians needing assistance among God's elect people
Heb.11:37 gives numerous Bible characters that were "destitute", yet shining examples for you and me
And this is just a few. I am not trying to "school" you. You know this already. I just have to let out some passion that has got me upset with the greater number of "supposed churches" and "professed Christians", who have swallowed the Prosperity Gospel Movement and the Word-Faith Movement. Both movements are nothing less than lies from the Devil, only ready to deceive mere professors of religion. As if the apostolic Gospel was meant to make the sons of men "healthy, wealthy, and wise". The Gospel I read in my Bible says things will get worse in this life once you truly embrace Christ. Acts 14:22 says, "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" and II Tim.3:12 says, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted". Jesus told His followers, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace,but a sword" (Matt.10:34) This doesn't sound like peaches 'n' cream to me.
Sorry for such a long email. I try to keep emails brief and to the point. Pease don't be mad at me. I am mainly expressing my frustration at other "Christians" and not you.
In His Blood,
Gus
