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“Lay Not Upon Yourself Treasures on Earth” that is the message of the abandoned Oxen Manger in Bethlehem where was born a helpless infant in the bitter cold of the night to a poor maiden, the Crucifixtion on Calvary and the empty burial tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea.

Sure God wants us to improve our lives but only for emptying itself out for Him. This is NOT what the Benny Hinns, Rick Warrens, and Joel Osteens instruct from their Hollywood-type production theatrics.

Here’s the story of a former atheist and her experience with Joel Osteen. Worth a full read.

http://www.conversiondiary.com/2006/05/why-im-becoming-catholic.html

“empty burial tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea”

I guess ol’ Joseph of Arimathea is going to hell because he was rich, right?

“Sure God wants us to improve our lives but only for emptying itself out for Him. “

Actually, we are supposed to prosper and then use our prosperity to help the poor (the financially poor and the poor in spirit) and promote the gospel.

“I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers”. I’m sure you are familiar with this very clear statement in the NT. This theme is consistent throughout the Old and New Testaments. It is talking about prospering of the soul, which is the mind, will, and emotions, and how GOd wants us to prosper in finances, in health, and all aspects of our lives.

Prosperity is not just about money, it’s about improving all aspects of our lives so we can serve others. Look at the divorce rate in the US. Certainly prospering in our family relationships, for example, is something we are called to do.

in Bethlehem where was born a helpless infant in the bitter cold of the night to a poor maiden, the Crucifixtion on Calvary and the empty burial .tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea.

Why is everything here in the NEGATIVE? Helpless? Did he not have parents? God PROVIDED. Bitter cold? A bit extreme but, again, God PROVIDED the animals for warmth. "Poor" maiden? How so? They HAD money for a room but there was no room. And God provided.

You are trying to paint a picture, falsely, that Jesus, Mary and Joseph were poor. NOT SO! What about God's blessings and the wise men who came to bestow their gifts on Jesus?

Crucification? A bad thing? Look what Jesus thinks of that!! YOUR answer in bold

Matt 16:21,22,23 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"

Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.

Borrowed tomb? Of course, he didn't need a permanent one - it was borrowed because he only needed it for three days - it's part of it all - God PROVIDES what we need!

How 'poor' was Jesus? So 'poor' that he had needed his own treasurer. Would you like to be that 'poor'?

To deliberately paint a picture of Jesus being poor when Scripture shows otherwise is not good. Perhaps your "poverty" teaching has tainted you against the Truth.