Sardine and larry, you guys are cracking me up!


"G", I'm trying to appreciate some of where you may be coming from, and I think there is a chance that you and I could really enjoy each others' company if we were ever to spend time together in reality. You strike me as someone who sincerely believes this stuff, and possibly through no fault of your own.

What you've quoted here is fair enough:


But please remember that Jesus was just merely talking about food, clothing, and something to drink---on a daily basis--- you know, "give us today our daily bread". It's interesting to note that even shelter was not included in his list of the "basics" though. Add to all this the fact that this passage comes very shortly after he just clearly told his followers that they could not work for both God and money. Surely that kind of statement would have spawned some questions like "but what are we gonna do about eating and drinking, and clothes to wear if we DON'T work for money Jesus?"

Which is why he calmed their hearts with the answer you quoted.

3Jn 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Mt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Then lets read some more

Mt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9: Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10: Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11: If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

where do you see the word permitted and where do you see basic needs?. The Lord said ask and you shall receive.

Excellent points canuck!



Probably because in the larger context, we see no evidence whatsoever to support that Jesus was "living it up". Sure, the NEEDS of Him and his followers were met by God, which is what Jesus promised. But it takes quite a bit of scriptural stretching to imply that Jesus was somehow well-to-do FINANCIALLY.

True, He had access to all that belongs to the Father---the universe and everything in it--but we do see him living a modest, simple life.


Oz, I think this could be another example of the stretching I was referring to above. Think of how many people asked God for specific things like a new car that God didn't give them. That's because what they are asking for is typically just selfish requests. If what you and others seem to be proposing really was true, ("name it and claim it") then why is there still so much NEED being "overlooked" by God?

 "You ask and receive not, because you ask selfishly." James (4:1-3)

Most people understand the verse you quoted to be of a spiritual nature, meaning that we ask for things that are in line with what God wants for us, not just for stuff that we want.

It was asked   "Did Jesus teach the "prosperity gospel"?"

I say no and Jesus did not bless me with such either.

Ozell, I wanted to go through some of the points/questions you've raised.


Can you tell me what you mean by "riches" here? It seems ok to enjoy gifts that God chooses to bless us with from time to time, but if you're implying that we should go chasing after them, then no.


They already do, and that's why we should strive to NOT be like them, taking anything and everything they want without taking heed of a very strong warning found in the book of Revelation: "God will destroy those that destroy the earth". If the question was, "can we enjoy what God provides us through creation without spoiling the entire garden for future generations?", then I would say yes.


Do you mean when Jesus said things like "a man's life does NOT consist in the abundance of his possessions" (which, BTW, completely refutes the idea that Jesus' other statement about giving us "life more abundantly" has anything to do with material stuff)?


You're joking, right?

If not, then as long as you think that's what Jesus was getting at when he admonished us to love our neighbors as ourselves, then go for it! Before you do though, you might want to re-read what James said here:


 "You ask and receive not, because you ask selfishly." James (4:1-3)


Ok, you first! And if I don't hear back from you, I'll take it that all of our demands tend to not impress God. (I would be curious to hear about that spaceship that God gave you though, cause I know someone else who got the unicorn they always wanted!).



Amen, but there's no mention of Cadillac's, just grace that helps us in our time of need.

And now back to your regularly scheduled commercial break for those who can't stomach all this talk about Jesus' teachings...

servants of God have condition placed upon them this is what separates then from Satan and the prosperous wicked.

all throughout the OT the Jesus said do what he say and you will prosper.

Deut 29:9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.

Josh 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

1Kgs 2:3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: