So, I hear traces of prosperity theology almost every time I talk to a Christian (at least an American Christian). Believing God to provide for us is one thing. But buying into the idea that Christians, because of our relationship with God, are supposed to be wealthy, healthy and happy is patently unbiblical. I think this kind of teaching has, one, diminished the glory of God (that would take its own blog to explain) but has also created in many believers a very shallow, immature, skewed, and weak view of God.Which leads me to today’s passage. I find it hard to justify prosperity theology in light of John the Baptist’s life. In John 1:76, John’s father prophesies about his life:
“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways.”
John was to be the preeminent evangelist/preacher of his day. He was not just a prophet of the Most High; he was THE prophet of the Most High. He was apparently a pretty popular guy. Matthew 3:5 says “...all Judea and all the district around the Jordan” were going out to him to be baptized in the Jordan River. Mark 5:5 says “all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem” and they were “confessing their sins.” So God’s blessing was clearly on John’s life and ministry.
And Luke 1:66b makes it even clearer: “For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.”
Now, according to the prosperity plan, John’s faithfulness to God and God’s hand of blessing on him should have secured him a pretty dope life. (I mean, after all, he’s the "head and not the tail" right?) But did it?
What did his life look like? “Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4). Now, some of you might be thinking, “Hmmm, camel hair and a leather belt? Tailor that crap up and he might’ve been a G!” No, no. This wasn’t a fitted trench with some K.Cole boots. One commentator says, “John’s garments were common to nomadic desert dwellers and thus were associated with poorer people.” As for the locusts and wild honey, he says they “were not an unusual source of food for people living in the desert. The desert locus is…still eaten today by poorer people in the Middle East and Africa.”
How did life turn out for him? Read Matthew 14:1-12. Wouldn’t God have rescued His prophet? Had they been taught the message of health and wealth, wouldn’t John’s disciples have expected “the prophet of the Most High” to be miraculously saved from death? And life and death are in the power of the tongue, right? How come he couldn’t just speak his safety into existence?
Ahhh, I have so much more to say about this. But I’ll leave it open for discussion.
For an amazing sermon on this, click here and listen to 5.25.08 Hope in Real Life.
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i think one of the big mistakes believers make is when they take a concept too far. we pick our favorite side of the fence when it comes to the promises of god, to point when we ignore the truth behind things. if we prize riches, we'll "name it and claim it" all the way to the bank. however, if our opinion of ourselves and of how god thinks of us is low, we'll negate his promises, even under the guise of humility.
ReplyDeletegod's okay with money and stuff. the whole concept of "stuff" was his idea. i mean, look at creation! however, the god that had sapphire appear under his feet when he was with moses and a few other people in exodus is the same god that was okay with being born in a manger. we as believers should take note of that.
i'm in the radical middle with this and a lot of other issues in the christian walk. i believe god does delight in the increase and blessing of his people (the result of their obedience to him in the old testament was the blessing of their stuff, land, cattle, and crops as seen in duet 28). however, our anointing and call can and usually does lead to a place for sincere sacrifice. it's the only way to see the kingdom advance in ways that transform the communities around us. if your pockets are padded more than the rest, you have that much more to help the kingdom along!
i know that was long, but this is a subject that i've looked into for a lil bit :-).
i think this is a GREAT post and very true. as you indicate mike, there is so much more to say, but i believe you have captured the highlights of the issue of how we view God's anointing, His blessing, His power. prosperity being associated with God's presence is not a new concept, as i believe this was the context of the disciple's confusion as to how the rich young ruler would not be able to enter in heaven - after all, did not riches say that one was saved? (luke 18:18-27) just as lack of material riches does not signify lack of God's anointing on and pleasure in one's life, having an abundance of riches does not mean God is pleased with that person's life. i think this latter scenario is most deceptive and why so many people have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof (2 tim 3:5).
ReplyDeleteMike and Verdell I would like to discuss this topic with you two whenever we get a chance too... Mike, I like how you mentioned American Christians when it came to the prosperity "gospel" - if the same message cannot be spoken concerning CHRIST to every community around the world then it usually isn't about CHRIST! I wonder how well the message of the Dollar would do in a community where they struggle to drink clean water? I see the prosperity Gospel as our way of saying CHRIST isn't enough. We lessen the truth about this walk to gain the attention of those who want things. Verdell... you did an awesome job show the stark differences of when we take a concept too far.
ReplyDeleteI am most def becoming more learned about the life of the John the Baptist during this season and this was an post... I look forward to listening to the suggestion you listed Mike.