Prosperity Blog #3: Overcoming Poverty

Prosperity Blog #3: Overcoming Poverty

by Pastor Peter Samuels
Based on Chapter 21 of my Discipleship Training Course (http://tinyurl.com/disc-train-course)

Welcome to my third blog on Prosperity. In my second blog we looked at Avoiding Extremes and how to become a blessing to others. In this blog I am going to look at the problem of poverty and how it relates to prosperity theology.

Firstly, I would like to say that the true Gospel is good news to the poor (Isaiah 61:1). Salvation is initially spiritual in the free gift of eternal life but it is also of the soul (the mind, emotions and will) and the body (through healing).

Prosperity should be part of this same salvation experience. In 3 John 2, John the Evangelist said, “Brothers, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (NKJV). Thus prosperity starts in the spirit then moves to the soul, the body and the outer life.

Secondly, there is a vulnerability in many poor believers to a prosperity gospel. Poverty is often a curse from which people need to be delivered, but this is rarely broken by giving a ‘seed’ offering to a rich prosperity preacher.

Thirdly, poverty often acts at a wider level than an individual or their family. The coming of the Kingdom of God should bring joy to a village, a town, a city and a nation. This is brought about through the righteous being in authority, traders in the marketplace operating with fairness and compassion for the poor being in the hearts of all the people.

Finally, in Proverbs 12:12, Solomon said, “The root of the righteous produces fruit” (HCSB). We need to focus on the righteousness of God bringing a complete change to our hearts before we seek to experience other forms of prosperity. A good root will always produce good fruit.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to sharing again with you soon.

Pastor Peter Samuels 

Prosperity Blog #2: Avoiding Extremes

Prosperity Blog #2: Avoiding Extremes

By Pastor Peter Samuels

Based on Chapter 21 of my Discipleship Training Course (http://tinyurl.com/disc-train-course)

Welcome to my second blog on Prosperity. In my first blog we looked at True Prosperity and the need for unity in the Body of Christ on this subject. I want to develop this theme further here by considering how to avoid extremes.

Agur asked God that he might not be too wealthy so that he would not forget Him nor too poor so that he might not be tempted to steal (Proverbs 30:8-9). The same principle applies to our doctrines about prosperity as prosperity is a means to gaining wealth.

Whilst godliness is not a means to financial gain (1 Timothy 6:5) it does not necessarily follow that gaining financially makes us ungodly. We are supposed to be channels of blessing towards others (2 Corinthians 9:11). These channels need to flow!

We are limited in how much we can bless others if we have not been blessed ourselves, although it is the attitude of heart that God looks at, not the amount of substance itself. God is able to multiply the smallest of seeds that is given to Him with a pure heart. Sometimes it is a small step of faith to give or to invest that releases people from financial bondage.

God is looking for people He can trust with His blessings who are generous and considerate towards others in need. If we are faithful stewards of material blessings God will also entrust us with true riches (Luke 16:11).

All that we have and the ability to produce wealth comes from God. We should neither despise ourselves and bury our talents nor think that we have gained wealth by our own ability. Let us honour the Lord with our wealth and our abilities to create wealth.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to sharing with you again soon.

Pastor Peter Samuels

Blog #1: 'True Prosperity'

Prosperity Blog #1: 'True Prosperity' 

by Pastor Peter Samuels

 This is based on Chapter 21 of my Discipleship Training Course. Welcome to my first blog on prosperity. I found this chapter the hardest to write in my discipleship training course. I had already written a chapter on Giving but I still felt that I needed to add something. I am really looking forward to sharing with you and also hearing your feedback. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is there your heart shall be also” (Matthew 6:21).

What do you value most in life?

 To prosper means, “to cause to succeed or thrive” (Merriam-Webster). People want to be successful and to thrive for different reasons, some of them a good and upright but others might be questionable. We need to guard our hearts because they are the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23).

Whilst thriving and being successful appears to be a good thing it can also become a snare if we place too much emphasis upon it. This has caused some Christians to overcompensate and to criticise and judge others who teach and practice the principles of prosperity. This division between pro-prosperity and anti-prosperity Christians needs to be healed! There is only one body. We should make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).

No one has a monopoly on the truth. Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life (John 14:6). We need more of Him and His Word in our lives even though it might pierce us like a two-edged sword, judging the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12).

Thanks for reading and I look forward to sharing with you again soon! Would you do me a quick favour? Drop your comments below on your best tip today. Also Like and Share this message with your friends.

I appreciate you!

Pastor Peter Samuels

Check out the complete Discipleship Training Course at 
http://tinyurl.com/disc-train-course