THE gospel of health & wealth

THE gospel of Health & Wealth:

A dangerous teaching in the modern church that the faithful of God will be rewarded with physical health and material wealth. The one who is sick or poor is judged to have little faith.

This teaching is nothing more than humanistic materialism cloaked in alleged spirituality.

The NT stands radically opposed to the gospel of health and wealth. Money in itself is not wrong.

1 Timothy 6.10 (AMP) ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have been led astray and have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many acute [mental] pangs.

1 Timothy 6.11-19 (AMP) ¹¹ But as for you, O man of God, flee from all these things; aim at and pursue righteousness (right standing with God and true goodness), godliness (which is the loving fear of God and being Christlike), faith, love, steadfastness (patience), and gentleness of heart. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession [of faith] before many witnesses. ¹³ In the presence of God, Who preserves alive all living things, and of Christ Jesus, Who in His testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I [solemnly] charge you ¹⁴ To keep all His precepts unsullied and flawless, irreproachable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Anointed One), ¹⁵ Which [appearing] will be shown forth in His own proper time by the blessed, only Sovereign (Ruler), the King of kings and the Lord of lords, ¹⁶ Who alone has immortality [in the sense of exemption from every kind of death] and lives in unapproachable light, Whom no man has ever seen or can see. Unto Him be honor and everlasting power and dominion. Amen (so be it). ¹⁷ 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. ¹⁸ [Charge them] to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal and generous of heart, ready to share [with others], ¹⁹ In this way laying up for themselves [the riches that endure forever as] a good foundation for the future, so that they may grasp that which is life indeed.

NIV Luke 12:15 Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

NLT Luke 12:21 "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."

NLT Philippians 1:29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

NIV 1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."

NIV Philippians 3:17-19 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

ESV Matthew 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

ESV Acts 9:16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."

ESV Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

NIV 2 Thessalonians 1:5 All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.

ESV 2 Timothy 1:12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

ESV 1 Peter 3:17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

ESV 1 Peter 4:1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

ESV 1 Peter 5:10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

ESV Revelation 2:10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

5 Good & Bad Times to Leave your Ministry

GOOD: a good time to leave/a good type of restlessness:

1. When you’ve fulfilled your calling
2. When you’re being pulled toward improvement
3. When you’re embracing a new assignment
4. When you’ve reached your potential
5. When you’ve learned as much as you can from your inner circle

BAD: a bad time to leave/a bad type of restlessness:

1. When you’re bored
2. When you’re running from improvement
3. When you’re escaping your current assignment
4. When you haven’t paid the price
5. When you think you’re better than the people around you

Remember, don’t move anywhere else until you’ve done the best where you are.
However, don’t stay a day longer than you should. Disengaged people are dead people.