[[For in contrary to the prosperity gospel christ,]]
I never said anything about prosperity gospel and do not believe it is biblical at all- I do however acknowledge that God blesses whom he will for his own purposes- and it is not a sin to enjoy what God allows- There is a fien line between being rich for $$ sake, power sake, and beign rich and giving God the praise and enjoying what he has allowed- The legalist however can never allow themselves to enjoy any of it because works is their God. They are always browbeating themselves about being accountable for every penny because somewhere i n the world is a poor person- and they feel guilty if they can’t practice self denial with that in mind- God never intended for man to live a life of self denial, with their only pleasure being in feeling virtuous. They turn virtuosity into a religion- and are eager to tell everyone about their sacrifices-
Not for me brother=-
We are going to have to agree to disagree- I’m giving you the last word- I didn’t want this to derail the thread-
To follow Christ is to live a characteristically sacrificial life. Which does not mean you cannot enjoy basic blessings of a modern culture and special blessing God gives for obedience as you follow Him, but not as a life of indulgence but of sacrifice, forsaking hindrances to holiness and service, which I need to improve in.
God never intended for man to live a life of self denial, with their only pleasure being in feeling virtuous.
Rather than responding objectively to what I wrote, you are engaging in a false dilemma. The Christian life in believing in and thus following the Lord who exampled and commanded self-sacrifice, is to be one characterized by that, and being willing to endure the cost of obedience, while enjoying and glorying God for His mercy, grace, and blessings - which vary in scope and degree, as does judgment based upon accountability - but which are to all further His kingdom, with all being a means to that end. That is what the Lord and His leaders and best believers exampled, and exhorted.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)
Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. (Mark 10:28-31)
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5)
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)... unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:48)
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (2 Timothy 2:11-12)
beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:9-12)Over.