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The Curse of Prosperity Print E-mail
Written by Victoria Radin   

What has caused American Christians to become so apathetic towards the issues that are so important to G-d, such as raising an abundance of godly children, taking care of the poor (Proverbs 28:27), the widows, and the orphans, protecting the innocent (such as the disabled and the unborn), maintaining sexual purity? And, what about the Christian’s prayer life in not forgetting to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6-9) and to bless the nation of Israel (Genesis 12:2-3), to intercede on behalf of our leaders, the sick and needy?

Although riches are supposed to be a blessing, many Christians have not used their ‘wealth’ to advance the Kingdom of G-d. They have been preoccupied with ‘making a living’, storing up wealth, having ‘fun’ and depending on the government to take care of those issues that the Bible teaches are the responsibility of the Church. Most Christians do not have a ‘prayer life’ due to the constraints of time in their lives.

In the parable in Matthew 25, Jesus taught that we are to use our wealth wisely since it all belongs to G-d.

"Again, it will be like a man [G-d] going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.” (Matthew 25:14-18 TNIV)

The parable ends with the Master returning and giving out rewards for how the servants [of G-d] handled the talents that were entrusted to them. To the servant who hid the Master’s wealth he told other servants, "Take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For those who have will be given more, and they will have an abundance. As for those who do not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"(Matthew 25:28-30 TNIV)

The L-rd gave the Israelites [and us] a very stern warning not to forget the L-rd and His commandments when we have obtained wealth.

“…. Make sure that when you eat and are satisfied, build pleasant houses and settle in, [when you] see…more and more money come in, watch your standard of living going up and up—make sure you don't become so full of yourself and your things that you forget G-d …If you start thinking to yourselves, "I did all this. And all by myself. I'm rich. It's all mine!"—well, think again. Remember that G-d… gave you the strength to produce all this wealth …If you forget…I'm on record right now as giving you firm warning: that will be the end of you; I mean it—destruction. You'll go to your doom—…” (Deut. 8:11-20 The Message)

 

But, finances are not the only way the L-rd blesses His people who love Him and keep His Commandments. The Bible says that having an abundance of children is also a blessing from the Almighty.

"Your wife will be as fruitful as a grapevine, and just as an olive tree is rich with olives, your home will be rich with healthy children. That is how the L-RD will bless everyone who respects him." (Psalm 128:3-4 Contemporary English Version)

Statistics show that it takes 2.1 children per family in order to maintain the population of any society. Any less than that and the society will soon disappear. Demographics show that the trend is irreversible. European societies, having less than 2 children per family, are quickly being populated with Muslims who have an average of 8 children per family. Accordingly, Europe will soon be a Muslim society under the power and control of Islam.

The United States is maintaining its population at 2.1 children per family, but abortion and the new ‘choice’ not to have any children in order to attain position, wealth and ‘happiness’ will eventually cause America to fall below the minimum birth rate. Muslims, in America, will begin to be the dominant society in only a few generations.

In most cases, it is selfishness that deters families from having more than 2 children. Couples want to have more money for luxuries and more time for ‘fun’ that having an abundance of children would curtail. Money and leisure have become the ‘gods’ of America. The L-rd warns us through Ezekiel that when we set up an idol in our hearts, which G-d calls a ‘stumbling block’, He will answer us through that idol. Therefore, if ‘wealth and ease’ are idols, G-d will move on us in those areas to bring correction.

“…Tell them [the people of G-d], ‘This is what the Sovereign L-rd says: The people of Israel have set up idols in their hearts and fallen into sin, and then they go to a prophet asking for a message. So I, the Lord, will give them the kind of answer their great idolatry deserves. I will do this to capture the minds and hearts of all my people who have turned from me to worship their detestable idols." (Ezekiel 14:3-5 NLT)

G-d says that He will deal with the idol by removing its influence. In other words, He will remove the wealth and leisure-life of those who have forgotten why G-d has blessed them. James tells us what G-d thinks of riches that are used inappropriately.

“And a final word to you arrogant rich: Take some lessons in lament. You'll need buckets for the tears when the crash comes upon you. Your money is corrupt and your fine clothes stink. Your greedy luxuries are a cancer in your gut, destroying your life from within. You thought you were piling up wealth. What you've piled up is judgment.” (James 5:1-5 The Message)

In America, G-d has already begun to deal with the ‘idol’ of wealth leisure. And, abortion and ‘choice’ have reduced the blessing of abundant, healthy children. The L-rd has allowed our land to be filled with the wickedness of homosexuality, greed, lust, and hatred. If the church doesn’t turn quickly back to G-d’s Word, He will begin pouring out the curses on the land.

“Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it…Or if I bring a sword on that land, and say, ‘Sword, go through the land,’ and I cut off man and beast from it … Or if I send a pestilence into that land and pour out My fury on it in blood, and cut off from it man and beast, even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live,” says the L-rd G-D, “they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.”(Ezekiel 14:13-20)

Jesus told this parable concerning the gospel message:

“The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it.” (Matthew 13:22 The Message)

Just as in the days of Israel’s exile to Babylon, the L-rd sent prophets to warn His people. Let’s all turn back to G-d and His Word, Jesus, and not have an evil heart of unbelief. It is the time to pray for the lost and for Israel as never before and use our wealth to build the Kingdom of G-d.

“Disaster is near! Injustice and arrogance are everywhere, and violent criminals run free. None of you will survive the disaster, and everything you own and value will be shattered. The time is coming when everyone will be ruined. Buying and selling will stop, and people who sell property will never get it back…And I won't change my mind!” (Ezekiel 7:10-13 Contemporary English Version)

We should heed the words of Rabbi Shlomo Riskin in his ‘Day of Atonement’ message: “…we have to seize the day before its light fades, before the Day of Atonement turns into the Night of Extinction.”

Barukh HaShem (Blessed is the Name of the L-rd)

 
 
 
 
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