Who Is This Jesus Making Such Bold and Reckless Claims? - Booty and Treasures fer All!

“There are two schools of thought in Christianity today. The first is ‘blab it and grab it’: God wants you rich, healthy, prosperous and happy, all the time. Its focus is faith turned into entitlement. We’re children of God, so blessing is our birthright.”

Wait! Does the author of the article mean that Jesus went too far when He said, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11)

Who Is This Jesus Making Such Bold and Reckless Claims?

Was Jesus lying when He said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7) “Believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you.” (Mark 11:23) “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:22) “It shall be done to you according to your faith.” (Matthew 9:29) “Let it be done just as you believed it would.” (Matthew 8:13)

“Suffering has a purpose,” says the author. “It lets us relate to what Christ suffered for us. So when suffering comes, don’t automatically assume it’s the devil. Sometimes God allows hard things to make us stronger.”

Stronger? Does the author mean that Christ’s strength in us is not enough (Philippians 4:13)? Do we need suffering in order to build ourselves up? Jude says, “Build yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” (Jude 1:20).

Note that Jude, the brother of Jesus, says nothing about the necessity of suffering for gaining strength. Faith and praying in the Holy Spirit (tongues), that is our workout session.

We will suffer from others. We will experience persecution through others. Both are from the devil, not God. Look to the life of Paul for examples. Our Father does not beat us to make us stronger. In modern vernacular, we would call that an abusive relationship.

“Why do we as Christians expect everything handed to us on a silver platter?”

It could be because that is the good news—at least the news that everything we need is handed to us. “He who did not spare his own Son, will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) Paul seems to think God will give us all things necessary for kingdom work.

Perhaps we should take Paul and Jesus at their word.

The Poverty Gospel began in the Garden when Satan first suggested that God was holding back, giving less than all we need for life and pleasure. Yes, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32). This is good news to those who will receive it.

The author is correct about one aspect of his claim: suffering and persecution are a part of following Jesus, but God does not send hard times.

He sent Jesus. He sent His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus. If we are born as new creatures in Christ, God lives in us, and we live in Him. He gave us the righteousness of Jesus. He gave us our new identity: children of God. Yes, this is the Prosperity Gospel.

And praise Jesus He preached it then and calls us to live in it now.

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