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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: GeeVee:Philippiams 4:12. I am not sure how to answer you to be quite honestly. I am not the one whom will be judged by how any one lives but me. So how I see materialsm and prosperity is how I am prepared to answer to the Lord for my way of life. Some of which I won't be to proud to be accountable for. I am of the opinion that materialisn in Pauls day was quite meager compaired to our times. Recently on PBS TV they had FRONTIER HOUSE. They took three families and they lived exactly as the people of 1883. Now compared to the time of Christ these 1883 people had many "modern advances" but life was hard, especially for women! But they had materialism in comparison from Christs time. As I look at how we live today, so much better off than 1883, it is like living in "tommrow land". So the farther we get from the time Paul wrote this, much has changed. Paul learned to live in humble means and in prosperty, learning to suffer, being hungry and filled, and having abubdance and suffering in need. I don't think the meaning of prosperity and materialism that we use today have much in common with the meagerness Paul was thinking when he penned prosperity, or materialism. However I do not live in the conditions Paul did either. Frankly, This is a challange every believer must choose for themself. I consider that in many parts of the world, people live in conditions much as when Paul was alive about 2000 years ago. Go to Mexico City, DF. and within 20 miles I can show you proverty that Christians suffer, yet praise the Lord corn flower, wood for the fire, and plastic for a roof that keeps the rain out. I would agree that there materalistic Christian children working 40 plus hours a week trying to find any usable item for their family. GeeVee, prosperity and materialism has different meanings, to people in many cultures, countries, and with a wide range of income, from just enough to eat, to buying a Ferrari or a Neon. If we as Christians do not evaluate what prosperity, and materialism little will change. For me prosperity and materialism in todays world in the major countries, there is a very small line that devides the two. Several years ago Color TV was materialistic. Today Color TV is prosperity. Less than 30 years ago Microwaye ovens were materalistic, mow thery are prosperity. The closer prosperity comes to materalism in rich countries the further appart prosperty and materialism becomes for third world countries. All one has to do is look where you clothes are made, or even trucks and cars where workers are paid far below our minium wage. However, now that a larhge percent of US workers are with out work, they are now willing to work for much less than some foeign workers! So some foriegn car makers ar blessing us by moving back here! In 1980 18 dollars an hour was a good wage for union carpenters. Now that wage is around 12 dollars an hour. Prosperty, can turn to materialism and then back to proverty. We need to work for things that last in Gods Kingdon. This is just food for thought by one who the LOrd has never let down. agape, justme |