Health and wealth

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+JMJ

Hello, I had a discussion recently with a protestant friend discussing the blessings of God. His view is, if a person follows God and is faithful that person will receive "blessings" beyond measure. These blessings consist of health and wealth. I faintly recall a deacon speaking of the health and wealth heresy that many seperated bretheran believe. Can anyone give me some background on this and some resources.

Thanks Michael

-- Michael (williams007@aol.com), April 07, 2001

Answers



-- (_@_._), April 07, 2001.

health and wealth??? Yikes! Jesus says we'll get suffering and persecution.

-Hannah

-- Hannah (archiegoodwin_and_nerowolfe@hotmail.com), April 07, 2001.


Let's be honest; God has no interest, other than in His Divine providence, whether I'm rich or not. Job said it best. ''The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.''

I find it crude and worldly that a ''preacher'' should even broach the subject; knowing that Our Divine Saviour chose to be poor when He could have been richer than King Solomon. Jesus Christ made an example of Himself. As for health and well-being, again Job is instructive. His health deteriorated, and he only praised God. We have lately seen a thread in this forum describing abortion as the major fault of our society today. But materialism is possibly a greater one.

Nevertheless, in the right spirit wealth is nothing to be despised. It is the LOVE of wealth which makes it idolatry. I admired the late Michael Landon, who died recently. He was young and successful and very rich. Yet, he became a fine example to Christians. He didn't labor for money, nor grasp after it. He never lost his modesty and his innate love of God. Everything else of the world he parted with gladly, and many people loved him for his generosity and goodness. I think God will treat mercifully with him, despite his wealth.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), April 07, 2001.


Jmj

Hello, Michael.

A Texan, Bishop Raymundo Pena, writes:
"What about the economic status of Christians? Are they always poor? Have they sold their possessions to give alms? Or are they distinguished by their wealth? Has God blessed their fidelity by showering them with earthly blessings? Experience has shown that some see no contradiction between proclaiming Christ as Lord while maintaining attachment to big cars, fine clothes and houses, stock investments, and the daily pursuit of pleasure. Some Christian spokespersons have, in fact, encouraged Christians to pursue a health-and-wealth gospel. This must be rejected in favor of a simplicity of life, a singleness of heart that loves God first, and a purity of intention. The gospel doesn't bless poverty that degrades or causes suffering. What it does is show that riches present a danger. They can become an end of life rather than a means. They can divide people, and make life a competition for the largest shares of the gold rather than a pure gift to be shared. Christians should recognize the dangers associated with wealth, and seek to use their resources to serve God and neighbor. But we can't say that the rich are excluded, or, much less, that the poor are excluded from Christ's company. Both can follow Jesus."

A convert, Dave Armstrong, in his article, "150 Reasons Why I am a Catholic," writes:
"91. Evangelicalism has a truncated and insufficient view of the place of suffering in the Christian life. Instead, 'health-and-wealth' and 'name-it-and-claim-it' movements within pentecostal Protestantism are flourishing, which have a view of possessions not in harmony with the Bible and Christian Tradition.

Another brilliant convert, Paul Thigpen, has written an article, "Live Long and Prosper (and Other Tall Tales from the Health & Wealth Gospel)" in "Envoy" magazine. It may be just the thing you are looking for!

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jgecik@desc.dla.mil), April 07, 2001.


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