13 March 2013 by Simon Yap-
So often, we are told that Christians should have a mentality that wealth is not a good thing; that the gospel is not something that should be linked to prosperity. Yet I see the very same people who make such comments driving big cars and living in big houses. Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying it is wrong to be rich or that the Gospel is meant only for the rich.
I think there is a difference between greedy and rich. Greed is sin. Being rich isn’t.
I am just saying that the concept that a Christian must be poor is not biblical. Here’s why.
God is a cheerful giver.
It is NOT God’s will that we LACK.
God is a charitable God. Genesis 2 tells us that He prepared supplied before there was a need.
7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
8 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.
9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters.
Note the Garden was self sufficient. It was more supply than demand. God even watered the Garden.
So how this poverty mentality did came about?
After he took from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, 'he answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid (Genesis 3:10)'.
Adam in the midst of supply, every tree available, and in the luscious garden said “He was naked”. In Adam’s mind, he said “I am stripped to nothing”… in a garden of supply. He said “I have nothing”. Incredible!
Also look at this:
Genesis 3:17-19
17“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.
18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.
19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken;
for dust you are and to dust you will return.”
Adam’s poverty mentality was taught to Cain
Now look at Cain.
Look at his mentality. The soil mentality.
Genesis 4:2b-3
Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.
Please read this if you want to know why Cain killed Abel and why God favours Abel’s offering: http://hischarisisenough.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/the-gift-that-wins-you-favor-thoughts-of-cain-and-abel/
How did God deal with him?
I want you to realize that Cain had self righteous mentality. He wanted God to accept him on his work and effort whereas Abel found favour by offering the lamb.
Therefore God removed his source of his trust and his faith.
Genesis 4:12-15
12 “You will work the ground, but it will not grow good crops for you anymore, and you will wander around on the earth.”
13 Then Cain said to the Lord, “This punishment is more than I can stand! 14 Today you have forced me to stop working the ground, and now I must hide from you. I must wander around on the earth, and anyone who meets me can kill me.”
15 The Lord said to Cain, “No! If anyone kills you, I will punish that person seven times more.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain warning anyone who met him not to kill him.
It is NOT God’s will that he has poverty mentality! He stopped Cain from having poverty mentality by removing his trust from the ground!
Cain thought by him losing the ability to harness his produce from the ground, he and his family would be poor. Now look at his descendants. Do they look like they are poor people to you?
Genesis 4:20-22
20 Adah gave birth to Jabal, who became the first person to live in tents and raise cattle. 21 Jabal’s brother was Jubal, the first person to play the harp and flute. 22 Zillah gave birth to Tubal-Cain, who made tools out of bronze and iron.
This Adamic/Cainish mentality has since stuck with the church.
They say even Jesus teaches this when he says foxes have holes and the Son has no house. For the real meaning see: http://hischarisisenough.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/the-son-of-man-has-no-place-to-rest-his-head/
Is God really poor? Or Is He just stingy?
Philippians 4:18-19
18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory IN Christ Jesus.
Where are the riches of God’s glory? Where is His bank account? Where is His bonds? Where is His riches? Where is His supply?
IN Christ Jesus!
2 Corinthians 8:7
7 You are rich in everything—in faith, in speaking, in knowledge, in truly wanting to help, and in the love you learned from us.
In the same way, be strong also in the grace of giving.
Paul tells us when we give it is because we are already rich!
The Source of poor mentality is self righteousness/Law
Dear friends, I want us to see that it is the Law that steals from you.
John 10:10
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber." (John 10:7-8)
John 10:6
6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
Notice Jesus was not referring to the Devil but the Pharisees and what they teach. Law creates demand. Grace supplies!
Don’t get me wrong, you can be legalistic and be rich. But half the time, it kills you to give. The money stays in your wallet. Either that or you give with a motive. That is not giving. It’s investing.
A tale of 2 types of fish
I want us now to look at a passage of Scripture that shows you that prosperity is attracted to Jesus. He is your supply. Not your job. Not your boss. Not even your pastor or church.
Luke 5:4-11 [New Century Version (NCV)]
4 When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Take the boat into deep water, and put your nets in the water to catch some fish.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we worked hard all night trying to catch fish, and we caught nothing. But you say to put the nets in the water, so I will.” 6 When the fishermen did as Jesus told them, they caught so many fish that the nets began to break.7 They called to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats so full that they were almost sinking.
8 When Simon Peter saw what had happened, he bowed down before Jesus and said, “Go away from me, Lord. I am a sinful man!” 9 He and the other fishermen were amazed at the many fish they caught.
Note here.
They caught many fish.
The nets began to break.
The partners came and drag the fish into the boats
The boats began to sink
It was the boats that hauled the fish in.
Now look at this passage. After the cross. After the resurrection.
John 21:3-6
3 Simon Peter said, “I am going out to fish.”
The others said, “We will go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat. They fished that night but caught nothing.
4 Early the next morning Jesus stood on the shore, but the followers did not know it was Jesus. 5 Then he said to them, “Friends, did you catch any fish?”
They answered, “No.”
6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they did, and they caught so many fish they could not pull the net back into the boat. 8 The other followers went to shore in the boat, dragging the net full of fish.
11 Simon Peter went into the boat and pulled the net to the shore. It was full of big fish, one hundred fifty-three in all, but even though there were so many, the net did not tear
Now. Notice.
They caught so many fish, they could not pull the net on the boat.
They instead of the boat dragged the net. The disciples became super strong.
Then Simon alone pulled the net singlehandedly onto shore. Talk about strength!
They were not just fish. They were big fish.
The net did not tear!
Note the anointing for strength. Now, they can keep their blessing.
Oh dear friends what made the difference. It was the cross.
What was lost in a garden was redeemed in the garden!
In Adam
Genesis 3:17-19
17Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.
18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field
19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken;
for dust you are and to dust you will return.
In Christ
Luke 22:43-45
43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him to strengthen him. 44 Being full of pain, Jesus prayed even harder. His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.45 When he finished praying, he went to his followers and found them asleep because of their sadness.
Jesus wore a crown of thorns on his brow.
Dear friends,
Do you not see, the blood yes his precious blood which is even more precious than silver or gold, that blood cleanse man’s sweat and toil and that blood fell to the ground removing all our curse, all our poverty and all our unfruitfulness!
Hallelujah!
That my friend is the meaning of the following verse:
2 Corinthians 8:9-10
9 You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. You know that Christ was rich, but for you he became poor so that by his becoming poor you might become rich.
So declare that you are rich. Reject the poverty mentality! When you do you will see the supply. You are not given a bit of Jesus. God’s riches is in IN HIM!
You are given the fullness of Christ. His fullness and riches is FULLY given to you.
Colossians 2:9-10
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
Be blessed!
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Reference for pictures:
http://img.wikinut.com/img/jfvpfv6u7gbn0ehf/jpeg/0/Money!!!-Money!!!-Money!!!.jpeg
http://mudpreacher.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/abel-offers-blood-sacrifice.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e3Fix_XVDFU/UKPdBfKoY0I/AAAAAAAAdEA/sND6JtEu2pk/s1600/fpic07.jpg
http://blogs.nd.edu/oblation/files/2012/02/charitable-giving.jpg
http://christianstt.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/the-grace-of-God1-390×250.jpg
http://www.holyinnocents.org.uk/library/jesus/colour/catching_fish.jpg
http://dwellingintheword.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/tissot-second-miraculous-catch-of-fish.jpg
http://gospelsanity.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/full-of-Christ.jpg
http://freshbusinessman.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/poverty-mentality-1.jpg
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