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News Archive

Prosperity: time for a rethink

Posted by Mark Elder on 1 Dec 2008

Like most Christians in the UK, I have been troubled over the years by teaching, mainly from the USA, that says that Christians have a right to be rich. “Why drive a Datsun with a Daimler faith,” is the sentiment. When you’ve been overseas to the third world, as I have on a number of occasions, and you see real faith and incredible poverty, you realise how flawed and offensive this version of prosperity teaching is. But are we in danger of doing a baby and bath water here?

Do we need to re-imagine a biblical theology for prosperity? And, more to the point, is a poverty mindset diminishing the blessing of God on our families, church and community? Those keenies amongst you will have noticed some "prosperity" prayers being prayed in our service recently; and, with one or two alarming results. You know what, I think it’s great.
Here’s a couple of principles that have challenged me of late. The first is that God loves (and often multiplies) generosity, particularly the outrageous sort. I’ve seen it in my own life, I see it at HBC, and I love testimonies that bear witness to it. Such a testimony is Lydia George’s inspiring story of how she won £16,000 on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, and proceeded to give it all away to a Christian children’s charity in Thailand. That £16k has now been turned into £350k. Wow. Read about it and be inspired.
The second principle is that people who experience financial breakthroughs should encourage and pray with those still waiting. I believe the same principle about healing. And somewhere in that mix of encouragement, faith, hope and blessing, there comes a release of resources in "unexpected" ways. Over the last two weeks I’m aware of at least three "unexpected" breakthroughs in this area, in our church. I love it.
Wonder if there’s something in these (and other) principles that might help us find half a million pounds? The economics of heaven are a challenge, aren’t they?