Wednesday, January 22, 2014

WHAT IS IT ABOUT CHRISTIANITY, ‘HOLINESS’ AND POVERTY?

Poverty has never and will never be a sign of holiness.

Isaiah 54: 1-11 summarized in a nutshell the wish of God for His own children concerning financial prosperity.
Also, 3John 2- “Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prosper”.
Please, don’t spiritualise the above passage from the Bible too much. One good thing about the above passage is that Apostle John broke it down in such a way that nobody will muddle it up, over spiritualise, or rationalise it. He talked about you prospering financially, physically and spiritually.

Christians want a healthy life; they also want a fulfilling spiritual life but often frown at having good money and a life of luxury. I think the problem of a lot of Christians is the ability to balance this 3 aspect of prosperity that Apostle John talks about.
Jesus was born in a Manger not for lack of money but lack of space. Please, stop rationalising poverty with the fact that Jesus was born in such lowly place. Joseph tried very much to get a room in the inn (hotel), but there was no more room available. It was a peak period for travelers because census was taking place; therefore, all available accommodation had been taken up. In other words, Joseph had money!
History recorded that Carpentry was a noble job in the ancient Jewish culture. In other word, Joseph was not a pauper. He was a successful wood and carpentry entrepreneur who was quite wealthy.

After Jesus was crucified, the Roman soldiers were casting lot over who should have Jesus’s clothes for keeps. NOTE: Roman Empire was colonizing almost half of the world at that period. History recorded that Roman Soldiers were the best equipped and best paid in the world. No wonder they were able to conquer and put under the control of Ceaser almost half of the world.
If Roman soldiers were therefore casting lots on who should have Jesus’s cloth, does that not show that the cloth was precious and was of an expensive fabric? Why should well paid soldiers bother about the cloth if it were a cheap rag?

The Bible recorded that we are a King and Priest of the highest God. Can a King be poor?

Psalm 118:25 – “Save now I beseech thee O LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.”

It is not of God to be poor. God is interested in your financial prosperity, but there are things to understand to be blessed financially. It is quite ironical that a lot of people arrogate Christianity to poverty. It takes your believe in God and His word to know that it is of God for you to be financially prosperous. In whatever we do in life, what God is looking out for is the motive behind it. Your motive determines if you will be financially blessed.

The main purpose of financial blessing is for the kingdom of God – Matt. 6:33.
Financial blessing is not about extravagance or for you to be able to satisfy your unbridled lust and passion. Your motive qualifies or disqualifies you for financial blessing.

Bless the poor – Matt. 6:1-3. When last did you bless those around you that you know are indeed poor? You wonder why financial blessing have eluded you in spite of all the hard work and degrees in your kitty. Look round you…bless someone in need today!
Bless those who are blessing you – Bless your Pastor handsomely….yes! I repeat, bless your Pastor very well – Galatians 6:6. You must bless those who GENUINELY are blessing you spiritually. 1Cor. 9:11 “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” I did not say so; this is what the word of God says…..

There is an erroneous believe that Pastor are more spiritual when they are poor. In fact, some Christians are more comfortable with poor Pastors. This thinking is purely from the pit of hell! This is one of the tricks the devil is using to deprive a lot of Christians from receiving their blessings. Let there be a balance, am not talking of con artist that profess to be a Pastor just for the gains.
If you are really a child of God, the Spirit of God resides in you to discern and know a man that is truly called of God to be a Pastor, in whose assembly you should attend for spiritual nourishment.

Sew good seeds….

© Kay Lord 2014

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