Prosperity Gospel

Many things go through my mind during the day. One thing lately is the term “prosperity gospel.” What is “prosperity gospel?” When I think about this phrase—I think about a woman with thick makeup and a man with a fancy suit trying to sell Jesus with flashy things and money. Of course, this would make any sane person shake their head in disgust.
Although, I do believe God wants us to prosper. Am I being a hypocrite or two-face? No. Let me tell you what I mean.
I do not believe that God wants my marriage to fail. One reason is because marriage represents Christ and the church. I believe God wants my marriage to be the best marriage and represent a true example of Him. I believe that he wants his kingdom work to be successful and prosper. To make as many disciples of Him that I can and lead people in the right direction. Do you think God wants more or less people to be saved, restored, and brought back to Him? Common sense will tell you more. I hear many people say that God does not desire that we become prosperous, but yet when they receive great things they give credit to God, such as a new house, car, clothes, new job, etc. Also, the other thing that bothers me is the people who preach against prosperity--that God does not want them to prosper, and tell everyone to sell everything they have and give to the poor (which is what Jesus teaches)--they preach in a suit and tie (which by the way costs them at least $250-$1000 a piece), using tv, internet, and driving a nice car—(compared to the rest of the world, who have NO cars). They give to causes and missions and want someone to give them a pat on the back for doing the right thing—when in all actualality they’ve done nothing really. It’s kind of out of sight, out of mind. There is no real “hands on” to what Jesus taught. Then they preach against prosperity and that no one should have it and what they are doing is just as wrong. I can give you numerous scriptures of God telling his people they will be blessed and prosperous—in the land—not just heaven (Deut. 5:33 and alot more in Deut., 1Kings 2:3, Psalm 1, etc--just search it yourself--so far I've found over 80 times it states it). I can also give you scriptures about selling everything you have and giving to the needy (Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22, etc.).
What am I saying? I’m saying that there is a balance. God does want us to prosper—because he tells us in His word, but he also wants us to give to the needy and seek the Giver and not the gifts. He blesses us to be a blessing to others—not to hoard it all for ourselves. It works hand in hand. It’s a PROMISE, not a maybe, in Malachi that we will be blessed by giving. There are spiritual laws set up just like the laws of gravity. The law of reaping and sowing is one of them. Do we bless only so we can be blessed then? By no means! Remember when Jesus appeared on the scene he said it’s all about the heart. I see the religious people of His time very much like the church people of today. They give their money, tell people how to live, to give everything, act like they’re doing everything right—when in their heart it’s the wrong motive.
I believe that we are to prosper, even as our soul prospers--3 John 1:2. But I do believe that we are to seek the giver—not the gift.
I think too often people choose one extreme or the other of a spectrum. For instance, the phrases do not drink or smoke because your body is a temple. But yet they don’t hold it to the fact of filling their body of junk food, watching bad shows, music, or any other thing. Then there are those that say we’ll if that’s the way it is—I’ll do all of it. Some say not to have non-Christian friends because they will influence you—to not be of the world. Yet Jesus was IN the world and not of it—and hung out with very non-Christian like people. The list goes on and on and you see what I’m saying. People always want to be on one side of the extreme and keep going and going. There are denominations that are very charismatic—then there are those that believe it’s all fake.
We work in balance. All throughout the word there is a balance. God’s character works in a balance—He is love and mercy, yet he is also just and punishable. In Ecclesiastes—there is a time for this and a time for that…

In conclusion, my advice, I guess, would be to not hear one scripture and go to the extreme—know the word. All of it. There is balance in the word.