It is not wrong for Gods servants to be wealthy!!

[Nevin]

Guys scripture clearly tells us that God has plans to prosper us. Now please do not get me wrong prosperity is also blessings, health, a goof family life but it includes money, gold, silver etc. Too many Christians shy away from the subject of money . It is not wrong for men of God to be wealthy

Gen 13.2 "Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold"

Gen 24:35 "The LORD has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, and camels and donkeys"

1Sam 2:7 "The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts"

Now even more interesting is the fact the the ability to produce wealth comes from God He gives us the ability Deut 8:18 "But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today"

- (i realize that blessings come from the devil but i am talking here in this thread about Men of God - Gods Servants)

Now when we view a wealthy christian with great possesions we need not accuse them of robbing the church or doing it in an illegal manner (unless there are facts) but rather ask them their story - so that you will see that their disciplined life , but more importantly their dedication and abiding to the regulations of God as allowed them to live in the lap of luxury

[Candi770]

There's nothing wrong with having wealth and possessions as long as you possess them and they do not possess you.

I've noticed there is more concern with a minister that has wealth than, for a congregation to be truely concerned for the pastor who is truely poor by the world's standards. It's as if it is more acceptible for them to be poor than have wealth. Now if they found their wealth on their own, which some have then great. But if they line their pocket with money they sheer off the sheep, then that's another story.

blessings

candi

[Marnie]

I cannot argue with that. As long as one realizes that that prosperity comes from the Lord and that He can take it away any time He wants.

[ayin jade]

It isnt wrong to be wealthy, but it is wrong to equate the amount of wealth a person has with the amount of faith a person has. Some people will try and make that comparison. The Word of Faith movement does that. We shouldnt focus on our material wealth, but on the Lord.

[LightofJesus]

I agree that the Lord does bless man with abundance, but there are those "Godly Men" that do it in the wrong way. I came out of a very well known ministry that thrive on this prosperity thing and I must say now that I have been out from under that covering the Lord has shown me very clearly that all that is is the LOVE OF MONEY. It is so easy to get drawn into this way of sowing and reaping stuff, but we must remember the most important part about giving it is the MOTIVE. Why are you giving? Are you giving with a cheerful heart, not all that emotional stuff either, that is all outward stuff, what condition is your heart in? That is what God looks at not how much are you giving. It is so easy to let "The Man Of God" to tell you how much to give or to tell you why to give. It should be God telling you not a man! Believe me I did this for at least 2 or 3 years and the Lord led me out of this establishment and it took a few years when my eyes were opened. Man I felt so decieved and then I began to wonder about all the millions that are also decieved. The enemy knows his job and does it well. Do not fall into his trap it is hard to get out of it. He is good at what he does and he will use anyone

[pointer]

Guys scripture clearly tells us that God has plans to prosper us. Now please do not get me wrong prosperity is also blessings, health, a goof family life but it includes money, gold, silver etc. Too many Christians shy away from the subject of money . It is not wrong for men of God to be wealthy

Gen 13.2 "Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold"

Gen 24:35 "The LORD has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, and camels and donkeys"

1Sam 2:7 "The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts"

Now even more interesting is the fact the the ability to produce wealth comes from God He gives us the ability Deut 8:18 "But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today"

- (i realize that blessings come from the devil but i am talking here in this thread about Men of God - Gods Servants)

Now when we view a wealthy christian with great possesions we need not accuse them of robbing the church or doing it in an illegal manner (unless there are facts) but rather ask them their story - so that you will see that their disciplined life , but more importantly their dedication and abiding to the regulations of God as allowed them to live in the lap of luxury

Whether a Christian 'has' much or little, he or she regards whatever that is as being Christ's. Every part of His possessions- money, real estate, even skills and talents, all are at His disposal, and the saint is merely the obedient steward of them - the willingly obedient steward, who loves because he/she is first loved by Christ, is bought with His blood. The saint gives thought to all his/ her purchases, from motor vehicle down to small food items, the overriding principle always being love.

'Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.' 1 Tim 6:17-19 NIV

'What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.' 1 Cor 7:29-31 NIV

[Candi770]

That's right marnie, they must realize that the Lord gave it to them.

[gypc]

Mat 6:19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Mat 19:23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell 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."

1 Tim 6:3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

[anitarose]

Mat 6:19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Please remember that the original translation for the word Money is the word Mammon, which as I remember is that which is related to Man.

I cannot argue with the rest of the Scriptures listed here, but I will list one more of my own...

"For the LOVE of money is the root of all evil".......Money tends to become a god to a lot of people. But this can be taken to extremes like anything else, like St Francis and the Catholic church taking a vow of poverty....this vow is not Scriptural....Also remember that lack of money becomes a god as well....the Lord will bless those he chooses to bless, but there is no blessing without fire....

Anita

Edited September 28, 2006 by anitarose

[Smalcald]

Guys scripture clearly tells us that God has plans to prosper us. Now please do not get me wrong prosperity is also blessings, health, a goof family life but it includes money, gold, silver etc. Too many Christians shy away from the subject of money . It is not wrong for men of God to be wealthy

Gen 13.2 "Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold"

Gen 24:35 "The LORD has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, and camels and donkeys"

1Sam 2:7 "The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts"

Now even more interesting is the fact the the ability to produce wealth comes from God He gives us the ability Deut 8:18 "But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today"

- (i realize that blessings come from the devil but i am talking here in this thread about Men of God - Gods Servants)

Now when we view a wealthy christian with great possesions we need not accuse them of robbing the church or doing it in an illegal manner (unless there are facts) but rather ask them their story - so that you will see that their disciplined life , but more importantly their dedication and abiding to the regulations of God as allowed them to live in the lap of luxury

There is nothing wrong with wealth in and of itself. For a Christian who possesses wealth it is a responsibility. Also we are not to be wasteful. But many Christians God wills NOT to be wealthy, and this is the plan of God for them. If God calls you to serve others say in Social Work for example you are not called to be wealthy, if God calls you to the ministry, then you are called not to be wealthy. If God calls you to be a real estate developer, well you might be wealthy or a doctor or lawyer, it just depends.

Christianity according to Christ has suffering, we also understand that wealth by itself is worthless both for our salvation and for our true happiness. If it can be used for God, then great and indeed we are called to take care of our families. But the sweep of scripture has many warnings about wealth. There are more warnings about wealth then about whisky in the bible. If we look at what has caused so much stumbling in the Christian Church today it is often traceable to the love of wealth and power.

However NO person should grow rich by peddling the Gospel. No Christian ministry should provide riches to those running the ministry or church.