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NASB | 3 John 1:2 ¶ Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 3 John 1:2 ¶ Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually]. |
Subject: Is it wrong to want riches? |
Bible Note: Dear Cowboy61, I'm not exactly sure what your position is...are you making a statement or seeking perspective? At any rate, my response would be: We need to seek a Biblical balance! There is nothing wrong with being either wealthy or poor. The bottom line is, what is our motive in seeking material wealth? Are we delighting ourselves in the Lord as the Psalmist admonishes us in Psalm 37:4-5? As Paul warns in 1 Tim.6:9-11 "But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness." Money in and of itself is not evil, but the love of it is the root of all sorts of. I firmly believe God will bless our efforts if they are in line with his will and we are diligent in our efforts. (Prov. 21:5). Most Health and Wealth believers are simply "looking for a short-cut" to riches, without any sincere planned effort as Proverbs 15:22 advises. I'll venture to state this, based upon my experience and association. Any long-term successful business or financial endeavor has beeen wrought with prayer, planning, wise counsel, AND hard work! There is simply no short cut or get-rich-quick-scheme with lasting results. Scripture makes no promise that we'll be "wealthy" just because we're believers! Notice what Paul says to those who are already "rich" in vs. 17-18: "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share," As I've studied this topic, two things stand out. 1. Scripture most definitely provides us with examples of wealthy individuals such as Abraham, Job, and Solomon who were godly. However, not ALL individuals in scripture were wealthy by any stretch of the imagination. 2. Not all of us will attain to material wealth in this life time, but we should non-the-less be content with what we have. ( Phil. 4:11-12) I'm not against prosperity for believers, but I do disdain the "Prosperity Gospel" as it is both a recent doctrine and severely lacking balance. A study of Proverbs certainly provides us with principles and guidelines in our endeavors, whether rich or poor. Speaking The Truth In Love, BradK PS It was 3 John 2 that says,"we are to prosper even as our soul prospers", not Paul:-) |
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Questions and/or Subjects for 3 John 1:2 | Author | ||
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geevee | ||
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Carlos Cando | ||
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jbw | ||
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Cowboy61 | ||
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BradK | ||
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Big-Momma78 |