Prosperity And Evangelism
January 23rd, 2008
I am going to take a chance and make some unsafe commentary. When you print a journal that is sent to such a diverse group of believers, it can get rather pruned in size when moving from historical events to current topics that affect us all.
Just as with mJust as with many of you, one of the things that has been strongly on my heart for years is world evangelism. So please bear with me as I talk about a somewhat touchy subject — prosperity and evangelism. I would like to pose this question. With all the teaching on prosperity, money-cometh, sowing and reaping, 30, 60, 100, and financial blessings, “Can we use some of it to reach the nations with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ?”
I don’t want to step on any toes, but, after all, I do believe in the, “go ye,” and, “as they went preaching everywhere,” mandate for ministry. (Mark 16:15,20)
Contrary to the opinion of some, evangelism is not for the chosen few, but for every believer. To me, the advancement of the gospel is the work of the ministry. It is what you are being equipped for. (Ephesians 4:12)
I am certainly not opposed to the prosperity message provided we stay balanced, keep our focus right, and don’t allow it to become the only message of our ministries.
It’s worth noting that only one percent of a typical churches income is used to preach the gospel outside the four walls of the local church. Could this be because only 1% of our messages promote evangelism? These figures mean that a typical pastor has only one message per year dealing with every believers responsibility to reach the lost. The same is true with the majority of tithes and offerings used primarily for maintenance only purposes rather than advancing the gospel. (Acts 1:8) We can see how easy it is to slip into the rut of consumer only Christianity where our entire focus is on ourselves, culminated weekly in an hour of power on Sunday morning.
Because of financial pressure it is easy to get trapped in a one message only gospel. Being a pastor myself, I understand the financial strains put on a local church. Our response should be to exercise more fortitude in breaking out of the four walls of our local churches.
“Are we all guilty of losing grasp on the Great Commission?”
Probably.
“Can we change?”
I think we must.
I tuned in Christian television the other day, and, one show after the other, had, as the primary topic, something about Biblical prosperity. I understand the message, the concept, and even the Biblical soundness of the doctrine when presented properly, but please, let’s get on with it. Amen? Let’s not allow our ministry platforms to be turned into nothing more than financial seminars. If we do, then another 2000 years to reach the world with the gospel won’t be long enough.
Ask yourself if you are raising up believers with a sound perspective of ministry. Do they understand the mandate of the Great Commission? Are you trapped in a one message only prosperity message?
Don’t get mad at me, I’m only posing some questions. I have been just as guilty as anyone and I repent. Please don’t take this the wrong way, we do need prosperity. Gospel ministry cost money to carry out, but let’s take that prosperity into the harvest fields of the earth.
This means we can carry out many outreach ministries to give to the homeless, battered women, and drug attics. During each holiday, we can put forth the effort to give gifts of joy and love. Peace, Joy, Happiness, and saving lost souls is what true ministry and evangelism is about. There are tons of gift ideas and evangelism tactics that we can explore.
It’s harvest time.
Your partner,
Jonas Clark