Subject: The Problem with WoF in a nutshell |
Bible Note: "Does 2 Corinthians 8:9 teach that financial prosperity is guaranteed in the atonement?" "No. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." It is telling that if Paul was intending to say that financial prosperity is provided for in the atonement, he was offering the Corinthians something that he himself did not possess at the time. Indeed, in 1 Corinthians 4:11 Paul informed these same individuals that he was "hungry and thirsty," "poorly clothed," and "homeless." He also exhorted the Corinthians to be imitators of his life and teaching (1 Cor. 4:16). In 2 Corinthians 8:9 it seems clear that Paul was speaking about spiritual prosperity, not financial prosperity. This fits both the immediate context in 2 Corinthians and the broader context of Paul's other writings. Certainly if financial prosperity was provided for in the atonement, one must wonder why Paul informed the Philippian Christians that he had learned to be content even when going hungry (Philippians 4:11,12). One would think he would have instead claimed the prosperity promised in the atonement to meet his every need." [Taken from "The Complete Book of Bible Answers" by Ron Rhodes, 1997, Harvest House Publishers, pgs. 289-290] |