Building Lives, Not Buildings: The Biblical Mandate for Charitable Giving

[bdavidc]

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In many cases, when preachers beg for money, especially in emotionally charged or manipulative ways, the money often goes to maintain the ministry’s image, fund lavish lifestyles, or build physical empires, like bigger buildings, expensive media productions, or personal luxuries for leaders. This kind of giving often lacks transparency and accountability. The Bible never supports this model. In fact, Scripture warns against leaders who exploit the flock for personal gain (Ezekiel 34:2-4, 2 Peter 2:1-3).

 

[Behold]

Within Christianity you find many types of false doctrine and many cults that claim to be "christian".

There are certainly people who are in the PULPIT and are grievous greedy offenders who "fleece the sheep" out of their money, and use it to build huge Church monuments to themselves, and claim that "look at how large is my ministry... obviously God is with me".

So, yes, there are many cases like this........

However.

"it it God who gives you the power to get wealth, so that He may establish His Covenant".

"God supplies all your NEEDs according to His Riches in Glory".


So, why does God want His Born again Christian children to have plenty of Money?

Well, one reason is...... Wouldn't you want you children to have plenty of Money? And isnt that the heart of a parent? And isn't God our Heavenly FATHER?
Do you want your children to be broke and sick?...........Of course not, and neither does God want His Born again to be broke and sick.

Another reason that God never wants any Child of God to be "broke and miserable", is because "Poverty is the destruction of the Poor".. and Reader........"destruction" is death, and God is anti-Death, in all ways and in all Cases.

Lets say you are not in the ministry...........and you want to know about "prosperity" that comes from God.
Well, God wants you to have prosperity.......including Health, and Abundance regarding your bank account.
See, God wants us to Give to our family, our church, and to the poor........so, if you dont have any money, then how can you give, as God would have you give?
Is God going to tell you to be a GIVER, and then keep you in poverty so that you cant do what He said?

A.) No

So, what you have to do when trying to understand :"prosperity theology" is discern what is abuse and what is Grace.

Also, never listen to any Pastor who explains tithing as a way to get God to give you money, and never listen to a Pastor who tells you that God wants you to be poor, so that you can be "more spiritual".

Now Listen carefully, Reader.

If you are truly born again...then All that you have, belongs to God... including yourself......Its not yours.....its His, and you get to use it. You get to be a steward of what is God's that you get to USE.
So, your money is God's, and so, when you give it........then you are giving God's money, so, that investment brings a return, as that is God doing that with His money.......and that is true "financial prosperity" that is "pressed down and shaken together' for YOU to continue to use.
That is why "giving" gets a return......if you are a Christian.... no matter if its your time or your money.

 

[bdavidc]

So, why does God want His Born again Christian children to have plenty of Money?

Well, one reason is...... Wouldn't you want you children to have plenty of Money? And isnt that the heart of a parent? And isn't God our Heavenly FATHER?
Do you want your children to be broke and sick?...........Of course not, and neither does God want His Born again to be broke and sick.

Another reason that God never wants any Child of God to be "broke and miserable", is because "Poverty is the destruction of the Poor".. and Reader........"destruction" is death, and God is anti-Death, in all ways and in all Cases.

Lets say you are not in the ministry...........and you want to know about "prosperity" that comes from God.
Well, God wants you to have prosperity.......including Health, and Abundance regarding your bank account.
See, God wants us to Give to our family, our church, and to the poor........so, if you dont have any money, then how can you give, as God would have you give?
Is God going to tell you to be a GIVER, and then keep you in poverty so that you cant do what He said?

There is no doubt that God is a good Father who cares for His children and provides for their needs, and it is true that He calls us to be generous, especially toward the poor and toward the work of the ministry. However, when someone is constantly defending prosperity and saying that God always wants us to be wealthy and healthy, it raises a big red flag. The reason is because life in this fallen world does not always reflect outward blessing, even for the most faithful believers. Jesus Himself said in John 16:33, “In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” Scripture does not promise a life free from hardship, but rather, it prepares us for suffering and calls us to persevere through trials with our eyes fixed on Christ. When people are told they will prosper materially and then face sickness, loss, or financial difficulty, it can lead to deep discouragement or even turn them away from the faith, thinking God has failed them when He has not.

Our calling is not to chase constant blessing or measure God’s love by our bank account. It is to know Christ, to follow Him regardless of circumstance, and to trust that He is working for our good in every season. Paul said in Philippians 4:12-13 that he had learned to be content whether he had much or little, and that his strength came through Christ, not through his situation. We are to leave the outcome, whether in finances, health, or anything else, in God’s hands, knowing He is sovereign and wise. The goal of the Christian life is not our comfort, it is Christ. Blessings may come, and when they do we give thanks and use them for His glory, but our focus must remain on Jesus, not on how we want our lives to look.

So, what you have to do when trying to understand :"prosperity theology" is discern what is abuse and what is Grace.

What truly matters is that we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and remain faithful in running the race He has set before us, rather than being preoccupied with prosperity. Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Our focus must be on Christ, following Him with endurance and trust, knowing that eternal reward far outweighs any temporary gain in this life.

 

[Behold]

However, when someone is constantly defending prosperity

@bdavidc ..

A Christian is ither defending God's prosperity, or they are defending the "gospel of Poverty".

What is that?
Its a carnal Christian, who teaches this NT denying nonsense. = "God allows you to be poor, and God allows you to be sick".. so that you can become more spiritual.""

Ever heard that nonsense being taught ?

And the worst thing about that is, that this person is claiming that God is causing a person to be poor and sick., and that is an attack on God, Himself.

The verse says.......that "God gives us the power to get WEALTH".........and there is a purpose..
Now "wealth"........does not have to mean 40 or 5o Million........as "wealth" is subjective.
For example, i feel confident that the members of this Forum, have a place to live that maybe they own......or they rent.
They have a steacy income....and there is food available, and they have AC, and Internet, and a car, and a little money in the bank.
Now, this is WEALTH, if you compare it to the 700 million people in this world who currently live on less then $2 a day .

So, most people according to the standard of poverty, who are Christians, are wealthy........but maybe they dont have 40 million in the Bank.

Now, is God going to give everyone 40 Million?
He's not, but He is obligated to prosper us, according to His word, and we are obligated to believe His word and tell the truth.

Our calling is not to chase constant blessing or measure God’s love by our bank account.

Well, as i said..... when a teacher, preacher, pope, teaches........ that giving money is the way to be financially blessed, then they are creating the idea that causes people to be greedy. In other words......they are being taught to love MONEY.... vs, being taught that money is only a TOOL in the Hand of a disciple that is given by God as one type of prosperity.....and they are to be a channel.........they are to let God flow through them.......with all His blessing.

See, the more God gives to us, the more we give........thats the idea.......and, that which is given to us by God is not just money.
The lesson God is teaching is that we learn to give, out of the right motive.......from a heart of charity.
See, a mature Christian, is so full of charity........so willing to GIVE..........and an immature baby believer is the opposite.

What i contemplate, is......... do people who come to forums to rant their hatred regarding the "prosperity gospel".....actually give to the poor, as a habit, as a ministry. ?
Does it even cross their mind ???????
And if they dont give to the poor, then that is a sure way to keep God from prospering them with finances.

 

[Behold]

@bdavidc ..

A Christian is ither defending God's prosperity, or they are defending the "gospel of Poverty".

What is that?
Its a carnal Christian, who teaches this NT denying nonsense. = "God allows you to be poor, and God allows you to be sick".. so that you can become more spiritual.""

Ever heard that nonsense being taught ?

And the worst thing about that is, that this person is claiming that God is causing a person to be poor and sick., and that is an attack on God, Himself.

The verse says.......that "God gives us the power to get WEALTH".........and there is a purpose..
Now "wealth"........does not have to mean 40 or 5o Million........as "wealth" is subjective.
For example, i feel confident that the members of this Forum, have a place to live that maybe they own......or they rent.
They have a steacy income....and there is food available, and they have AC, and Internet, and a car, and a little money in the bank.
Now, this is WEALTH, if you compare it to the 700 million people in this world who currently live on less then $2 a day .

So, most people according to the standard of poverty, who are Christians, are wealthy........but maybe they dont have 40 million in the Bank.

Now, is God going to give everyone 40 Million?
He's not, but He is obligated to prosper us, according to His word, and we are obligated to believe His word and tell the truth.




Well, as i said..... when a teacher, preacher, pope, teaches........ that giving money is the way to be financially blessed, then they are creating the idea that causes people to be greedy. In other words......they are being taught to love MONEY.... vs, being taught that money is only a TOOL in the Hand of a disciple that is given by God as one type of prosperity.....and they are to be a channel.........they are to let God flow through them.......with all His blessing.

See, the more God gives to us, the more we give........thats the idea.......and, that which is given to us by God is not just money.
The lesson God is teaching is that we learn to give, out of the right motive.......from a heart of charity.
See, a mature Christian, is so full of charity........so willing to GIVE..........and an immature baby believer is the opposite.

What i contemplate, is......... do people who come to forums to rant their hatred regarding the "prosperity gospel".....actually give to the poor, as a habit, as a ministry. ?
Does it even cross their mind ???????
And if they dont give to the poor, then that is a sure way to keep God from prospering them with finances,. as their heart is not right.

 

[bdavidc]

A Christian is ither defending God's prosperity, or they are defending the "gospel of Poverty".

What is that?
Its a carnal Christian, who teaches this NT denying nonsense. = "God allows you to be poor, and God allows you to be sick".. so that you can become more spiritual.""

Ever heard that nonsense being taught ?

When a Christian is truly focused on Jesus Christ, they are not caught up in defending prosperity or promoting the so-called “gospel of poverty,” which I have never heard of, must be a “prosperity gospel preachers” term to try and silence people from speaking against them. I have never promoted or spoken about a “gospel of poverty,” because those distractions simply do not matter. True followers of Jesus Christ have their hearts fixed on Him, not on earthly gain or lack. The moment we make this life about ourselves, our wealth, our comfort, our struggles—we’ve missed the point. It’s not about us, it’s about Jesus.

True followers of Christ are too busy seeking His will, serving others, and spreading the gospel to be consumed with debates over money or material status. There are people who will twist any mention of finances to fit their prosperity agenda, even when my original message had nothing to do with that. That only shows how distracted people can become by the things of this world.

Scripture teaches us to fix our eyes on what is eternal: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2). We are called to live with contentment: “But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6), and to trust God in every circumstance, whether in abundance or in need: “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound... I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:12–13).

Those who are truly following Jesus are not focused on arguing about wealth or lack, but are committed to living lives that glorify Christ, walking in humility, faith, and obedience: “He has told you, O man, what is good... to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).