Monday, March 4, 2013

Prosperity Gospel & Book of Job

Many of the Prosperity Gospel TV Preachers point to the wealth of Job for their "gospel".
 
But instead of appealing to your coveting of the wealth of Job-maybe they should enourage you to desire to have the faith of Job....
 
And what is the faith of Job?

Yes, Job was wealthy---Job had 500 yoke of oxen (tractors), 3,000 camels (trucks), 7,000 sheep (for wool) and 500 female donkeys (cars) that each bear a new one each year that can be sold as well....
Then he recieved news that his oxen and donkeys have been captured by the Sabeans, then fire fell from heaven and destroyed his sheep, then the Chaldeans take his camels and at the same time he was told his 10 children have died together in a house that fell on them from a great wind (tornado?).
Here is where Job famously said-
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Job 1:20-22

Next, Job was struck with an extremely painful disease covered in boils from head to toe. And his wife then turned on him and told him to curse God & die. The friends of Job then showed up and and were so shocked by his level of painful suffering that no one spoke for 7 days. They then went on to insinuate that it was his fault and must be some kind of secret sinner. They mocked him and pointed out that it was his turn to deal with pain, suffering and the facing of potential death----
that this thing now touches him-
But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest;
it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
Job 4:5
 
Despite all this Job showed faith.
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:
Job 13:15
 
Next, God came to Job and was rather terse despite his extreme suffering. For God said basically for Job to man up and answer like a man if he can (poor Job-has anyone pity for him?).
Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
Job 38:3
 
The response of Job was to still show respect for God-
 I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
Job 40:4
 
Job passed this testing and was rewarded by God doubling his wealth and giving him another 10 children. The point of Job isn't his wealth-it is his faith....
 
So when this thing touches you-pain,suffering and the facing of death--what will you do? Will you follow the advice of his wife and curse God & die? OR will you be like Job and say-
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:
Job 13:15 ? Will you have respect for God and lay your hand on your mouth?
 
This is the Point of Job
Don't covet having the wealth of Job------------Desire his level of Faith