If I may, I would like to respectfully respond to some of the letters regarding the topic of tithing and prosperity in general.  I grew up in the church, and for much of my life, I was a tither.  I genuinely loved God and I genuinely believed that He would always take care of me.  However, the more I was exposed to the prosperity movement in the church as a whole...and bought into it, the more my life fell apart financially until I found myself a middle aged woman with virtually nothing more than the ability to pay my monthly bills.  I was making a good salary, had always lived frugally, and was tithing faithfully; but my financial situation continued to deteriorate.  

 

If you are like me, you’ve read many books and listened to many tapes and videos for the purpose of learning how to be more prosperous.  And if you are like me, then you’ve also been disappointed.  You’ve asked God “Why? How can I be a blessing to those in need if I don’t have enough money for myself?  What kind of witness am I for you if I barely get by?”  I tried so hard to do and be everything I was taught.  Certainly God always came through at critical times – but I had little to offer the world.

 

One day, while listening to Joyce Meyer, I heard her say something to the effect that for any area in your life that is weak, you should be studying that topic in the Word of God as though you were writing a thesis on it.  I decided to do just that.  I had no intention of disproving tithing or any of the prosperity principals that I was being taught in the church...in fact it was my intent to prove to myself that I was entitled to the results to which I was being told.  However, as I began to really dig into the Word and dissect the commonly taught scriptures (and learning a little Greek along the way),  I realized that in virtually every case, those scriptures were being used at best out of context, or at worst deceitfully.   I do believe that many, if not most preachers, teachers, and pastors mean well; but I also have to ask, if I can see how the scriptures are being misused, could they not also? 

 

The bottom line is that we have nothing to gain by misusing God's word and everything to gain by learning what He really wants us to know.  I decided that I would learn everything I could about prosperity from the Word, and I spent several years studying that topic.  I made that decision about five years ago; and since that time, I have steadily prospered financially.  In fact I am amazed at the dramatic change in my circumstances (for the better) in such a short time.

 

I have looked through the Christian Book Stores and am not finding anything that is teaching (at least in whole) what I have learned so far from my study.  Below, I have summarized five things that has stood out for me, and I would like to share them here.  If you feel that you are not prospering as you should, please read on.  For some of you, the following may not be what you want to hear - but it is what you need to know.

 

 

Lesson #1 – Face it, we are immature children who need to grow up

 

We are God’s children – not his grown-ups.  We cannot know or understand God’s ways.   Think about your children.   Even a four year old will be certain that they know what is best for them in some areas.   His 7 year old sister, however, is capable of seeing the folly of his ways, but is rather convinced that she knows what is best for her on a number of levels.  And yet her 17 year old brother can see the folly of her ways quite easily.   The 17 year old, however, is quite certain that he knows what is best for him in nearly all aspects of his life.  Of course we as parents can easily see that the 17 year old still has much to learn.  Why?  Because our experience with life gives us a much larger view.   Therefore, because we can see the bigger picture and we love them, we impose withholding or chastisement upon them.   While our withholding or chastisement of our children causes them pain and grief,  we know that these actions will help them to be more successful down the road.  

 

We as adults need to also understand that God sees the bigger picture for us.  We need to accept that we all still have some maturing to do and let God do His work in us.  He knows what we need in order to grow and mature – and we, like our children, do not like the withholding and the chastisement!  You see, even though we may be absolutely sure that money wouldn’t ruin us, God knows when we’re not quite “there” yet, and He loves us too much to allow the devil to get a foothold in our life via money. 

 

Picture with me two young trees.  The owner lets one grow tall without any pruning.  The other tree he cuts back each year allowing the tree to be shorter, fuller, and thereby stimulating a proportionately larger root system.  When those trees are grown, which one will be most likely to survive the inevitable strong winds and storms that will come along?  Of course the pruned tree with its lower center of gravity and stronger root system.  

 

These trees are allegorical of us humans.  God will prune from us those fleshly pursuits and weights that hold us back so that we may survive the storms of life.  And I will tell you that those storms are not just tragedies.  They are also temptations such as greed, lust, and power.   God knows that He must build in us a strong foundation to withstand the attacks of the devil's kingdom.  Therefore, He will continue to prune us in order that we be firmly grounded with a strong foundation. 

 

Lesson # 2 It’s not about works – but it is about obedience

 

Just like growing up in the flesh, we must grow up spiritually.  Oh how we wish we could just listen to a motivational tape, snap our fingers and “be there”; but just like the child who longs for his 16^th birthday so he can drive the car, we must with patience work toward spiritual maturity.  As we develop a relationship with God, we learn to hear His voice and we learn from His Word.  The more we obey what we hear, the stronger the relationship and the easier it becomes to hear Him more.

 

Oh the agonies that could have been avoided had our children understood, listened to, and obeyed everything we ever told them.  But like all children, they were slow to come around.  So too are we.  The more we step out and trust him, the more we will deny our fleshly requests, and the quicker we will grow toward His perfect will.  And I can assure you that whatever it is that will cause you to be abundantly blessed; you will find that in His perfect will.

 

Once you start listening to God, you will not need to have others tell you how to prosper or where to put your money.  You will have a far greater understanding God’s ageless principal of reaping and sowing than you ever thought possible.  You will learn that there are many venues for sowing and reaping; and that doing so according to God’s specific will for you, brings a far greater joy and return on your investment than could all the treasures of the world. 

 

Lesson #3 Motive is everything

 

God has made it quite clear in His word that all the good works and donations in the world will NOT profit us if it is not done in love.  Our works may profit others, but they will NOT profit us.  Even if we receive wealth or other material goods, it will not profit us if it is not done in love.  This love is not natural man’s love but a Godly love. 

 

God wants us to have things that give us joy and He wants us to expect those things from him.  However, those who tithe or give offerings for the purpose of having it multiplied back to them do not impress him.  

 

Many spiritual leaders are teaching their followers that whatever they give, God will double, or even return their offerings tenfold or 100 fold.  However, they are not teaching Godly love and the spiritual maturity that goes with that.  As a result, many Christians are walking away disappointed, confused, and in worse shape than when they started. 

 

When we sow our time, talents, prayers, and money where God asks us to - and in the amount God asks us to, then we are truly planting in fertile ground and God will plant in us a great love and a burning desire to serve in His Kingdom in whatever manner He chooses.   And when we have found God's will for us and are serving Him accordingly, we will always be prospering...maybe not always by the world's standards...but we will be living in peace, joy, and the contentment of always knowing that our needs are being met.

 

Lesson #4 The devil’s kids will prosper

 

Remember that God chastises those who are his own.  And He knows in His foreknowledge who will become His own.   The devil, on the other hand, certainly doesn’t care about the welfare of any creature.  His sole purpose is to thwart God’s plan for the ages and he will attempt to prosper anyone whom he believes can help him further his purpose.  

 

Although God can thwart Satan’s devices at will, He may choose to allow many wicked to proper so that He can ultimately use their deeds and/or money to accomplish His own plan. 

 

It can be very challenging to watch others all around us prosper while we continue to struggle – especially when we are convinced that they are not nearly as “Godly” as we believe we are.   Part of growing up spiritually is learning to take our eyes off the world and it’s materialism and learning to look on those things that are Godly.

 

Lesson # 5 Have patience – know that God is working

  

One of the things that our earthly children have to learn as they mature is patience.  The older they become, the more patience is required of them.  It is the same with us.  When we are baby Christians so to speak, God does amazing things for us – just like we do everything for our babies.  But the baby grows, and as he does, more and more is expected of him.  Patience is probably the most painful lesson that we learn as we grow both physically and spiritually – but patience is an attribute that God desires we develop.  And you can be sure that He will give us every opportunity to do so! 

 

While I hope that we are soon out of here, rendering this unnecessary, (if John allows) I would like to submit a series of letters expounding on these lessons and what God's word says about them.