Psalm 35:27 *Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant*
*THE EXTREMES* (A)
Anyone who says God doesn't prosper people materially has a limited understanding about the power of God. God can cause people to favour His own children so as to prosper them materially.
In Exodus 12:35-36, the Israelites requested silver, gold, and clothing from the Egyptians, who complied freely to hasten their departure. God gave the Israelites favour, causing the Egyptians to hand over riches, effectively allowing the Israelites to plunder them. He is still doing this today.
However, there are certain extremes which some of the self-acclaimed prosperity preachers has delved into which made their gospel come under deep biblical scrutiny. No right thinking person hates prosperity but when it is presented in a way that panders greed, it becomes an issue.
#1. *Sowing of seed as a criterion to hasten answers to prayers&receive miracle*
This is the first extreme by prosperity preachers that has no biblical basis. There is nowhere in the bible where getting answers to prayer or miracle is tied to what you give. Getting answer to prayers is a function of your faith not how much you give or sow.
Mark 11:24 (NLT) says, *"I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours*".
*If sowing money is a prerequisite for getting answers to prayer or a miracle, only the rich will have answers to their prayers*.
There is a Christian satellite t.v.where some American preachers who come on air often ask people to sow in dollars to receive a miracle. It became their trademark and one could predict they will ask for money as a precursor to miracle.
From the records, who did Jesus , Paul or Peter ask a seed from before getting a miracle? This practice is not in the bible. People who gave and got results did willingly not out of manipulation.
*Asking people to sow seed for their prayers to get answered is merchandize not ministry. This is one of the extremes of prosperity gospel*.
I have been to prayer meetings where all prayer leaders asked that we sow seed to seal our prayers. Some will call a fixed amounts in descending order and ask people who can give to come for special prayers and anointing. Is special anointing only for those that have money?
In Acts 8:20, when Simon the sorcerer wanted to buy the gift of God with money, Peter said, *"...“May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought*"( NLT). If Peter did not put a charge to the gift and grace of God, why should we?
Some of the appendages of this manipulation includes: sales of special anointing oil, handkerchief, charging to preach or minister and so on. Some who do not call themselves prosperity preacher engage in these things too.
*Beware of any man who lays a charge to gift and grace of God upon his life or someone who puts money forward as a means of reaching God for answer to prayers. Such is a hireling and not a shepherd, he is under the influence of mammon not Christ.
Did Christ charge anyone for prayers or demanded seed as a precursor to getting a miracle?