Christians believe that we are the children of God, the King of heaven and earth. This gives us the right (audacity?) to say,"Children of a King should live a life worthy of a King's household". We would even add, "Would Prince Charles compromise on comfort or luxury?" That brings us to the question, "Don't material blessings point to the fact that we are blessed by God?"
Let us go to the place where Jesus was tempted by the Devil. (Let us also keep in mind that 'Money is power' today and people with money are 'glorified' in the society as always)
Luke 4:5-8: And the devil, taking Him (Jesus) up into an high mountain, shewed unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto Him, "All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine". And Jesus answered and said unto him, "Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve"".
Main Inferences from the above passage:
The kingdoms of the world and all their power and glory are delivered unto Satan.
Satan will give all these power and glory of the world to whomever he wills.
There is only one condition Satan lays down for those who want the world's power and glory: People should fall down and (as per Matt 4:9) worship him.
Those who receive all these power and glory can claim them their own.
Miscellaneous inferences:
The Kingdoms of the world can be viewed in a moment of time; they are only momentary and exist only in time.
Satan can deceive you with riches that will pass away in a moment
If Satan can attempt to tempt and deceive even the Son of God, it is only natural that he can still tempt and deceive God's children.
If the children of God are not guided by the Holy Spirit and strengthened by Him, they cannot resist the temptation by the devil.
Those who want the power and glory of the world will turn away from God, fall at Satan's feet and worship the devil.
The riches of this world are mentioned in the Bible as unrighteous, deceitful and uncertain. Paul also adds, "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition". - 1Tim 6:9. Jesus also said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God". - Matt 19:24.
However, Jesus also mentioned, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible". How is this possible? "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, Who gives us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life". - 1Tim 6:17-19. The reason? "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows". -1Tim 6:10. If believers don't love money, instead they love God, then they have set their priorities right. Then, they can focus on God and keep looking for the Lord's return.
Prosperity is not the sign of God's approval of our ways or our means of earning our livelihood. On the other hand, it might be a sign that Satan is keeping you in his hold by blinding you from God, His plan, and His purpose.
The Way that Apostle Paul followed was not that of prosperity. Here is his candid statement: "As a minister of Christ I was 'in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft; of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one; thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by [mine own] countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness'". - 2 Cor 12:23-27.
The rich man who enjoyed all the luxuries of the world ended up in hell because he had no heart for the needy while the beggar Lazarus was taken to Abraham's bosom. The rich man who had his land yielding him plenty was warned that his soul might be taken away that very night because he was a fool boasting of his riches. The rich young ruler who approached Jesus to know the formula to eternal life went back sorrowful because he would not part from his riches.
The people in the Jerusalem church were so poor materially that other churches, especially the Philippian church (which was already poor), sent them money through Paul. If Christian life was a bed of roses with all comfort (and luxury!), was the Head of the church showing favoritism to some and ignoring the others? In fact, there was enough carnality (opposite of Spirituality) in the Corinthian church though it was materially very rich.
Philemon was a 'well to do' man but he was a believer who knew where to put his money - in service to the servants of God. John the apostle wished prosperity to Gaius the believer but only as much as his soul prospered. There were some wealthy women in Judea at the time of Jesus but they spent their wealth to uphold the Lord's ministry. Lydia was a wealthy business woman but she knew how to honor the ministers of God with her wealth. As long as our focus is not on wealth and as long as we are ready to let go our riches for the sake of our Lord and His ministry, we are on safe ground. As soon as our focus shifts to amassing more and more money and worldly wealth and as we start looking at riches as our sure foothold, security, and fortress, we are stumbling and will pretty soon fall deep into a deceptive abyss.
Does your pastor pray for an increase in your material prosperity (instead of your spiritual growth)? He might very well be an agent of Satan. Is your pastor already a rich man (made rich by many of the believers in his church who are deep in debts)? He most certainly is a minister of Satan. Is he seeking for more funds from you so that he can expand 'his' church building and increase his assets manifold (and feed his dog too)? He is Satan's man in disguise. Beware!
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. - Matt 6:24 & Luke 16:13. Mammon is Aramaic for material riches. Christians are called to serve God, not money. They should not be held by money. They should hold on to God.
The first sign of Salvation is the change in a believer's attitude towards money. Zacchaeus is a perfect example. He was ready to let go his money even if it cost him more than what he had amassed all his lifetime. He did not allow money to remain his master. He switched allegiance. He chose the Master.
O believer, who is your master?
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