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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]. |
Bible Question:
Thanks Justme. Appreciate your response. 1 Timothy 6:17 says "As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on God, Who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for [our] enjoyment" It does not say we should not prosper. Instead it asks us to set our hopes on God, Who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for [our] enjoyment. So, is it not a good thing to be prosperous by setting our hopes on God? Especially if he provides us everything for our enjoyment? There seems to be a feeling amongst many that it is ok to drive a corolla but not a ferrari. Driving a Ferrari is not any more materialistic than driving a Corolla. Its ok to live in a small house but not a big house. I don't think God judges you materialistic by the size of your house. I don't think ferrari is a big deal for God. They are all trinkets and if the Lord has provided them for our enjoyment, why not enjoy them? I think we have a problem if we put money ahead of God. However acknowledging God as our source and Jesus as our savior, what is wrong with having a Ferrari? Finally materialism is not the same as prosperity. It is the love of money that the Bible warns us against. We can be materialistic whether we are poor or rich. There is nothing noble about being poor. In fact, I would argue that most people who warn against prosperity spend 40-50 hrs per week trying to make money. If money is that unimportant, why do people spend so much time trying to make some? Afte all, Solomon was rich and did not have a problem with that. Thank you Brothers, in advance, for your response, and eagerly awaiting further insight. GeeVee |
Bible Answer: Deut 8 also shows God not having a problem with his people increasing in material goods. v11 sounds similiar to 1 Tim 6:17's warning v20 sounds a lot like prov 1:32 (For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them) 1 All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. 2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, [and] to prove thee, to know what [was] in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. 3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every [word] that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. 4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. 5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, [so] the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. 6 Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. 7 For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; 8 A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; 9 A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any [thing] in it; a land whose stones [are] iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. 10 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. 11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: 12 Lest [when] thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt [therein]; 13 And [when] thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; 14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, [wherein were] fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where [there was] no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; 16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; 17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of [mine] hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for [it is] he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as [it is] this day. 19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. 20 As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God. |