Prosperity
Is it wise to seek wealth? In any manner or form?
What as Christians are we admonished to seek?
Do not weary yourself to gain wealth,
Cease from your consideration of it.
When you set your eyes on it, it is gone.
For wealth certainly makes itself wings
Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.
- Proverbs 23:4,5
Jesus said,
24 "No man can work for two masters, for either he will hate one and will love the other, or he will honor one and the other he will ignore. You cannot work for God and for money.
25 Because of this I say to you, you shall not take pains for yourselves with what you will eat, or what you will drink, neither for your body, what you will put on; behold, is not the soul greater than food, and the body than clothing?
26 Behold the birds of the sky, that they neither sow nor reap, neither do they gather into barns, and your Father who is in Heaven sustains them; behold, are you not better than they?
27 But who of you, while taking pains, is able to add a foot and a half to his stature?
28 And why are you taking pains about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow without laboring or weaving.
29 But I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field that is today and will fall into the oven tomorrow, does he not multiply more to you, Oh small of faith?
31 Therefore do not be concerned or say, ''What will we eat?', or ''What will we drink?', or,''What will we wear'?
32 For the Gentiles are seeking all these things, but your Father who is in Heaven knows that all these things are necessary for you.
33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 Therefore you shall not be concerned about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be concerned for itself. A day's own trouble is sufficient for it.
- Matthew 6:24- 34
And again in Luke:
13 A man from that crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance
with me.”
14 But Yeshua said to him, “Man, who has set me as a judge and a divider over you?”
15 And he said to his disciples, “Beware of all greed, because life is not in the abundance of riches.”
16 And he told a parable to them: “A certain rich man's land brought him many crops.”
17 “And he thought to himself and said, 'What shall I do, for there is no place for me to gather my crops?' “
18 “And he said, 'I shall do this: I shall pull down my barns, and I shall build and enlarge them, and I shall gather all my produce and my goods.' “
19 “And I shall say to my soul, 'My soul, you have many goods laid up for many years, be contented, eat, drink and be merry.' “
20 “Then God said to him, 'Fool, in this night your soul will be required from you, and whose will these things be which you have prepared?' “
21 “Thus is whoever lays down a treasure for himself and is not rich in God.”
22 And he said to his disciples, “Because of this, I say to you that you shall not be taking pains for yourselves what you will eat, neither for your bodies, what you will wear.”
23 “For the soul is more important than food, and the body than clothing.”
24 “Consider the ravens that they do not sow, neither do they reap; there is no inner chamber or granary for them, and God feeds them; therefore, how much more important are you than the birds?”
25 “Which of you by taking pains can add one cubit to his height?”
26 “But if you cannot do the small thing, why do you take pains over the rest?”
27 “Consider the lilies how they grow, that they do not labor neither do they weave, but I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory was robed like one of these.”
28 “But if God so clothes the grass that today is in the field and tomorrow will fall into a fire, how much better is he to you, O' small of faith?”
29 “You should not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, neither should your mind be distracted by these things.”
30 “For all the people of the world are seeking these things, for your Father knows that these things are necessary for you.”
31 “However, seek The Kingdom of God, and all these things are added to you.”
32 “Fear not, little flock, for your Father desires to give you The Kingdom.”
33 “Sell your possessions and give charity; make for yourselves pouches that do not wear out and treasure that is not diminished in Heaven, where a thief does not come in and a moth does not devour.”
34 “For wherever your treasure is, there shall your heart be also.”
-Luke 12:13-33
SOLOMON
11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice,
12 behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have GIVEN you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you.
13 “I have also GIVEN you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days.
14 “If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.”
-1 Kings 3:11-14
Here lies wisdom and understanding.
Solomon being the richest man in the world admonishing us to not pursue wealth. That it is continually fleeting as one pursues it and is wearying to man. Be content with what you have. Solomon asked God for Wisdom and He gave it to him but also GAVE him wealth. God puts kings in there palaces not man.
Kingdom Principle
Jesus is more concerned about His Kingdom and His Righteousness rather than the accumulation of money and wealth and power for yourself, which you will eventually lose.