by Steve Murrell

A few days ago I posted a blog about 10 rich people, and another blog about 2 rich people who suffered tragic deaths. While reading Psalm 49 this morning, I kept bumping into verses that put wealth into its proper perspective – which is an eternal perspective. Here are my quick notes…

Context of Psalm 49:
Verse 6  “those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches”

7 truths about wealth and wealthy people:

1. Salvation is not for sale, no matter how rich you are
Psalm 49:7-9 when it comes to redeeming a life, “no payment is ever enough”

2. Wealth is temporary
Psalm 49:10 everyone eventually dies “leaving their wealth to others”

3. All rich people die
Psalm 49:12 “Human beings, despite their wealth, do not endure”

4. We should not be impressed with or intimidated by wealth
Psalm 49:16 “do not be overawed when others grow rich…”

5. No U-halls behind a hearse
Psalm 49:17 “they will take nothing with them when they die”

6. People pander to the rich
Psalm 49:18 “people praise you when you prosper”

7. Some people have money but live and die like animals
Psalm 49:20 “Human beings who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish”

Jesus warned that the “deceitfulness of riches” can “choke the word” in our lives. (Matt 13:22) Have you ever been deceived by riches and wealth?

Steve Murrell is a missionary, pastor, and the author of “The Reluctant Leader” and “The Accidental Missionary.”

by Brett Fuller

Noah exited the ark only to enter entered a devastated world. Talk about flood damage- the earth had been covered with water for nine months. How could this world provide for him? With oceanic waters mixing with fresh waters, would the raised salinity levels in the soil accommodate crop production? If so, would they run out of the reserves in the Ark before they could reap a harvest? For Noah, to have an economy in recession would have been a blessing- there was no economy! The grocery stores were closed, banks doors were locked, Wall Street was “under water” and gas stations were empty. The lone bright moment came in Gen 8:22 when God said, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” By informing Noah that as long as their is “day and night”, he would be assured of a harvest if he planted, God gave him confidence that increase could be realized in tough economic times. In the difficult days ahead, those who have an assured strategy for provision will be the most secure. All of us will be looking for a harvest, but only those who have sown will reap. Last I checked, “day and night” still occur. Therefore, the harvesting of your provision is soon to follow the planting of your seed. In these troubled times, give right, give well…

Brett Fuller is the senior pastor of Grace Covenant Church in Chantilly, Virginia. He is also the founder of the Legacy Institute and the president and co-founder of African American Resource Ministry (AARM).

by Mike Watkins

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
3 John 2

There are few in this world who do not want prosperity or success. The goals of each are as varied as their nationalities, religious or economic backgrounds. Some ideas border on the absurd where success in crime is a goal, success in relationship(s) – the plural here already indicates failure – is exalted, or owning half of New York is sought after. My favorite is someone who considered that becoming disabled at work – on purpose – and collecting disability for the rest of their life was success. Never mind the inability to walk.

John tells us that there are three areas where he desired prosperity for his friends. He wanted them to prosper in all spheres, not just one. He also wanted them to have good health. However, he indicates that these areas of prosperity are somehow in proportion to our souls prospering. This is a far cry from those who work this as a formula in reverse order. They think that health and wealth produce inner peace, and the adherents of this are not confined to the secular realm. Sadly, some prosperity teachers in the church expound this error every day on airways all over the world. While claiming that Jesus is still the center the proportion of time given to talking about money betrays the true value system.

Having the resources that I need for life is a good thing, but I must first comprehend what “Life” actually is so that I can live it to the fullest. One of the best examples of a fully lived life in recent history was Forrest Gump. In fact, the film has become iconic in its portrayal of a broad period of American history, and Forrest’s simplistic value system often ran against the grain of society to the point that he looked stupid. His answer was quoting his favorite philosopher, his mama, who said, “Stupid is as stupid does.” If we look at the daily news we would have to agree with his mama. Very prosperous people do very stupid things. However, Forrest, who was a little slow, was not so stupid after all because he did some very wise things.

* Forrest was not opposed to wealth. “One less thing,” was his response. He took his wealth and donated much to a hospital, built a church and he then “cut the city’s grass for free” because he was not trying to get rich. Forrest was generous.
* Forrest was loyal to a fault. He gave half of his wealth to Bubba’s mother even though Lt. Dan said he was an idiot for doing so. Bubba had died in Vietnam, but the promise was 50/50 when they planned to go into business together. Forrest was an honest man.
* Forrest did not grow cynical when he experienced loss. His life had many ups and downs, and he grew reflective instead of bitter when pain came his way. The reason might be because his goal wasn’t to be up or avoid being down.
* Forrest was too stupid to understand prejudice. Oh that the world was his kind of stupid, but the world is a different kind of stupid, the kind mamma talked about.
* When the shrimpin bidness was not going well Forrest turned to God. It did not matter to him that he was the only white guy in the church. Forrest witnessed to Lt. Dan and even got him to go. God eventually showed up in the shrimpin bidness.
* Forrest never stopped loving his friends even when they rejected him. His loyalty and optimism wore down the cynicism of Lt. Dan, and even though Jenny had ruined her life she was won over in the end by his simple yet steadfast love. Even though he was not a smart man he knew what love was, and this was the bedrock of his prosperity.

Ultimately, Forrest’s simple faith brought more inner contentment than many Christians have. “Why”, you might ask? I will try to make it simple. Many Christians have adopted the goals of the world as their source of identity and security. They want too many things, and even too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Forrest even thought that Elvis may have died because, “He probably sang too many songs.”

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Phil 4:11-13

Mike Watkins is a missionary, a fisher of men and the author of the blog “Simple Truths.”

by Mike Watkins

There are few greater controversies in the church today than that of prosperity. On one side there are those who believe that money does not mix with the kingdom of God. The results of this are churches that can’t afford to project what they believe beyond the exit doors and missionaries who have to…basically not be missionaries. No one gets to go. The End!

On the other hand there are those who believe that God simply exists to serve us when we ring the bell asking for whatever we think we need. Some churches based on this philosophy simply grow obese with ostentatious extravagance while the world around it dies in godless ignorance. This extreme is also erroneous. However, resources are needed to advance the gospel.

I was once preaching and asked the church how many wanted more money from God than they personally needed. No one raised their hands. I then asked how many would like to reach their community, help the poor and reach the nations with the gospel. They all said, “Yes.” “Well,” I asked, “how can you do this unless you actually believe God for more than you can use for yourselves?” The lights went on, and most understood. God is generous, and He not only wants to meet our needs but reach others through the overflow in our lives.

Most would agree with this, but we still have a problem with method. Some teachers of prosperity would suggest that if you want more resources, more things and greater blessings that you should give abundantly and in faith… to their ministry. To this I would like to suggest a slight modification that would test the teaching and in fact it will actually bring out the true nature of what God wants to do.

This is the change. They should preach, “If you want to be blessed (actually, if you want to be a blessing) give abundantly and in faith to…someone else’s ministry. Give to your neighbor in need, give to the poor, and give to missions even in other ministries.” This would bring a quick balance to excesses, and it would bring much-needed resources to those who need it most.

This even works in the world as seen in the recent Starbucks Cheer Chain phenomenon. A guy drives up to the Starbucks drive-thru, pays his bill, and says, “I want to pay the bill for the guy behind me as well.” The guy behind him then drives up to the surprise that his bill has been paid, so he in-turn pays the bill for the guy behind him. This goes on for hours as each surprised customer pays for the next customer’s bill. Actually, it is reported that this is a promotional idea by Starbucks, and they sometimes ask people to do this.

Well, that is the point that I am trying to make. God is asking us to bless others who can bless others who can bless others. No one preacher is the recipient and God’s kingdom is advanced in many seen and unseen ways. In all fairness I must add that I have friends in the Faith Movement who embrace this balance and are very generous to missions, the poor and others in need. The key is the attitude of the heart. God wants to bless because He loves us, and He wants us to be able to bless others.

One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed. Prov 19:17

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt 6:19-21

But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, Matt 6:3

Mike Watkins is a missionary, a fisher of men and the author of the blog “Simple Truths.”