Comments on: Does God Agree with Our Idea of Prosperity? http://philcooke.com/does_god_want_us_prosperous/ Change Revolution Fri, 18 May 2012 18:10:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Theresa Croft http://philcooke.com/does_god_want_us_prosperous/#comment-7921 Theresa Croft Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/Does_god_want_us_prosperous#comment-7921 <p><strong><em>"The flip-side to that is that God wants us to have enough so that we overflow! so that we can then be a blesssing to everyone around us,...."</em></strong></p><p>So well said and writter here Phil. Thank you. I truly believe God is raising up His people to overflow. That first has to start out of our relationship with HIM.</p><p>The economy may be floundering but His people can flourish. You don't have to just survive but thrive today. Famine does not make God flinch. He's has prospered great people of faith during times of famine. We have the Word to prove that. God gets the glory when we walk in this place of blessing. Psalm 112 has been a favorite of mine lately.  The "will be's" in this Psalm are powerful for those who honor God and delight in His Word. (THE OVERFLOW!)</p><p>I like what Jentezen Franklin said a while back..."We fight our famine by getting back to our Father's House..."</p><p>And..."God blesses where His reputation is safe.." (J. Franklin)</p><p>Thanks for your comments on the lottery too. Sad statistics there.</p><p>I have been to your blog here a few times....</p><p>Small world....You happen to know a good friend and client of mine, Harriet Bradley.</p><p>Yep, the Body of Christ is a "small world" raised up to make a big impact for Christ.</p><p>Thanks for leading with such a spirit of excellence in the market place.</p><p>Theresa</p><p>http://FreedomToServeGod.com</p><p><strong><em><br /></em></strong></p> “The flip-side to that is that God wants us to have enough so that we overflow! so that we can then be a blesssing to everyone around us,….”

So well said and writter here Phil. Thank you. I truly believe God is raising up His people to overflow. That first has to start out of our relationship with HIM.

The economy may be floundering but His people can flourish. You don’t have to just survive but thrive today. Famine does not make God flinch. He’s has prospered great people of faith during times of famine. We have the Word to prove that. God gets the glory when we walk in this place of blessing. Psalm 112 has been a favorite of mine lately.  The “will be’s” in this Psalm are powerful for those who honor God and delight in His Word. (THE OVERFLOW!)

I like what Jentezen Franklin said a while back…”We fight our famine by getting back to our Father’s House…”

And…”God blesses where His reputation is safe..” (J. Franklin)

Thanks for your comments on the lottery too. Sad statistics there.

I have been to your blog here a few times….

Small world….You happen to know a good friend and client of mine, Harriet Bradley.

Yep, the Body of Christ is a “small world” raised up to make a big impact for Christ.

Thanks for leading with such a spirit of excellence in the market place.

Theresa

http://FreedomToServeGod.com


]]> By: Nick Charalambous http://philcooke.com/does_god_want_us_prosperous/#comment-7922 Nick Charalambous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/Does_god_want_us_prosperous#comment-7922 A nice, cautionary word. Thanks. A nice, cautionary word. Thanks.

]]> By: Andrew Corbett http://philcooke.com/does_god_want_us_prosperous/#comment-7923 Andrew Corbett Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/Does_god_want_us_prosperous#comment-7923 <p>Very good thoughts Phil! The Gospel is not about getting <em>God</em> to surrender to us - rather the Gospel is about <em>us</em> surrendering to God and accepting His best for our lives (whatever this might be). As CS Lewis wrote about Aslan, in what appears to be an apt description of God: "<em>Nice? Oh no he's not nice! But he is good.</em>" Pain, suffering, deprivation are not nice. But if the child of God experiences these it does not mean that God is not good. Of course this more Biblical worldview is harder to sell than the very appealing idea that accepting the Prosperity-Gospel guarantees a no-pain, no-sickness, no-disappointment, no-prayer-unanswered type of Christianity. But it is the worldview that will stand the test of time. Keep up the thoughtful comments Phil.</p> Very good thoughts Phil! The Gospel is not about getting God to surrender to us – rather the Gospel is about us surrendering to God and accepting His best for our lives (whatever this might be). As CS Lewis wrote about Aslan, in what appears to be an apt description of God: "Nice? Oh no he’s not nice! But he is good." Pain, suffering, deprivation are not nice. But if the child of God experiences these it does not mean that God is not good. Of course this more Biblical worldview is harder to sell than the very appealing idea that accepting the Prosperity-Gospel guarantees a no-pain, no-sickness, no-disappointment, no-prayer-unanswered type of Christianity. But it is the worldview that will stand the test of time. Keep up the thoughtful comments Phil.

]]> By: Cliff Holmes http://philcooke.com/does_god_want_us_prosperous/#comment-7924 Cliff Holmes Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/Does_god_want_us_prosperous#comment-7924 <p>I completely belive that God wants us to prosper. I agree with you that prosperity is different for all of us. I believe that God will never put more on us than we can bear. Many of us may want to be rich, but God knows that we may not be in a place to responsibly handle large sums of money. It is important for us to remember to be faithful over the small things that God gives us. If we do that, he will be comfortable with giving us more which will lead to the prosperity that many of us desire.</p><p>Thank you for such a thoughtful commentary.</p> I completely belive that God wants us to prosper. I agree with you that prosperity is different for all of us. I believe that God will never put more on us than we can bear. Many of us may want to be rich, but God knows that we may not be in a place to responsibly handle large sums of money. It is important for us to remember to be faithful over the small things that God gives us. If we do that, he will be comfortable with giving us more which will lead to the prosperity that many of us desire.

Thank you for such a thoughtful commentary.

]]> By: Jeff Reid http://philcooke.com/does_god_want_us_prosperous/#comment-7925 Jeff Reid Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/Does_god_want_us_prosperous#comment-7925 <p>The things that I've seen is...once the prosperity gospel, always the prosperity gospel. I came to Christ in a "Word of Faith" church, and God did great things through them...However, I came back 20 years later, and they were still preaching the same things. And it usually has to do with God helping you pay your bills, and having cash flow. It's the "Devil you can't take my stuff" kind-of thinking.</p><p>but what about His beauty?? How awesome He is? The focus of beautiful fellowships is all about Him. and it's too easy for the prosperity churches to become all about ME! And there's no maturity, there's no depth, and they hold so tightly to that gospel, that they stop being spiritual Mom's and Dad's.</p><p>I wish these churches would focus entirely on Him. He will take care of us! and once we know that, we can move on to other things that are more important.</p><p>The flip-side to that is that God wants us to have enough so that we overflow!  so that we can then be a blesssing to everyone around us, even after we've covered all of our expenses. We can't do that if we're always just scaping by. God want's to have more than enough!</p> The things that I’ve seen is…once the prosperity gospel, always the prosperity gospel. I came to Christ in a “Word of Faith” church, and God did great things through them…However, I came back 20 years later, and they were still preaching the same things. And it usually has to do with God helping you pay your bills, and having cash flow. It’s the “Devil you can’t take my stuff” kind-of thinking.

but what about His beauty?? How awesome He is? The focus of beautiful fellowships is all about Him. and it’s too easy for the prosperity churches to become all about ME! And there’s no maturity, there’s no depth, and they hold so tightly to that gospel, that they stop being spiritual Mom’s and Dad’s.

I wish these churches would focus entirely on Him. He will take care of us! and once we know that, we can move on to other things that are more important.

The flip-side to that is that God wants us to have enough so that we overflow!  so that we can then be a blesssing to everyone around us, even after we’ve covered all of our expenses. We can’t do that if we’re always just scaping by. God want’s to have more than enough!

]]> By: Toni Spumoni http://philcooke.com/does_god_want_us_prosperous/#comment-7926 Toni Spumoni Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/Does_god_want_us_prosperous#comment-7926 <p>Just a thought..... I'm learning so much from you, Phil..and hear everything you say about getting our content across many digital platforms....so...why can't I buy your books on my <strong>Kindle</strong>?</p> Just a thought….. I’m learning so much from you, Phil..and hear everything you say about getting our content across many digital platforms….so…why can’t I buy your books on my Kindle?

]]> By: Phil http://philcooke.com/does_god_want_us_prosperous/#comment-7927 Phil Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/Does_god_want_us_prosperous#comment-7927 <p>Branding Faith has a Kindle version.  The others we're working on.  Thanks for asking!</p> Branding Faith has a Kindle version.  The others we’re working on.  Thanks for asking!

]]> By: Stephen Bateman http://philcooke.com/does_god_want_us_prosperous/#comment-7928 Stephen Bateman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/Does_god_want_us_prosperous#comment-7928 <p>Right now I'm in Mexico, where the prosperity gospel is just death to the soul.</p><p> </p><p>Take the poor, hardworking people of Mexico, and hand them a false gospel of wealth and things get very messy. How is the church supposed to follow up with the truth: "Well, the things they told you about God making your rich weren't true, he wants you to know him instead." </p><p>Many simply prefer the hope of riches over the <strong>hope of Glory</strong>. Sadness.</p> Right now I’m in Mexico, where the prosperity gospel is just death to the soul.

 

Take the poor, hardworking people of Mexico, and hand them a false gospel of wealth and things get very messy. How is the church supposed to follow up with the truth: “Well, the things they told you about God making your rich weren’t true, he wants you to know him instead.” 

Many simply prefer the hope of riches over the hope of Glory. Sadness.

]]> By: Dawn Allcot http://philcooke.com/does_god_want_us_prosperous/#comment-7929 Dawn Allcot Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/Does_god_want_us_prosperous#comment-7929 <p>Jeff-I think you hit it square on the head with these words: The flip-side to that is that God wants us to have enough so that we overflow! so that we can then be a blesssing to everyone around us, even after we've covered all of our expenses. We can't do that if we're always just scaping by. God want's to have more than enough!</p><p> </p><p>It is all about not only giving back but paying forward. How can people tithe if they are starving? When our basic needs aren't met it's hard to focus on helping others.</p><p> </p><p>Phil - Very insightful post coming at the right time for me. I have been inwardly debating where God fits in to my Law of Attraction studies. I believe God has a purpose for me and I am meant to give and share my time, talents and money.</p><p> </p> Jeff-I think you hit it square on the head with these words: The flip-side to that is that God wants us to have enough so that we overflow! so that we can then be a blesssing to everyone around us, even after we’ve covered all of our expenses. We can’t do that if we’re always just scaping by. God want’s to have more than enough!

 

It is all about not only giving back but paying forward. How can people tithe if they are starving? When our basic needs aren’t met it’s hard to focus on helping others.

 

Phil – Very insightful post coming at the right time for me. I have been inwardly debating where God fits in to my Law of Attraction studies. I believe God has a purpose for me and I am meant to give and share my time, talents and money.

 

]]> By: JKR http://philcooke.com/does_god_want_us_prosperous/#comment-7930 JKR Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/Does_god_want_us_prosperous#comment-7930 <p>Difficult times like these make people all the more likely to fall for the abuses of any group of con-artists.  Whether the latest MLM pyrimid or the slick suited televangelist the money rolls in for people like this when economic times get hard.</p><p>I think a better question is: Does our view of prosperity match God's?  Of course this onlly works if we are willing to use Gods word, in an open and honest way, to identify God's views on prosperity.  If we pick and choose and use out of context we can come to the same conclusions that our gold enthroned, Jaguar driving heavily made up wives TV preachers have drawn.</p><p> </p> Difficult times like these make people all the more likely to fall for the abuses of any group of con-artists.  Whether the latest MLM pyrimid or the slick suited televangelist the money rolls in for people like this when economic times get hard.

I think a better question is: Does our view of prosperity match God’s?  Of course this onlly works if we are willing to use Gods word, in an open and honest way, to identify God’s views on prosperity.  If we pick and choose and use out of context we can come to the same conclusions that our gold enthroned, Jaguar driving heavily made up wives TV preachers have drawn.

 

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