PROSPERITY AND SECURITY

Prosperity is the prevailing mood during Chinese New Year. But does wealth equal genuine security?

Tis’ the Chinese New Year season once again! Caught up in its festive mood, Christians of Chinese descent often wish one another a blessed new year filled with peace and prosperity.

Actually, there is nothing wrong with wishing our friends and family members, “A Happy and Prosperous New Year”, for it is a socially acceptable greeting akin to what John wrote. “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2).

Certainly, there is no inherent virtue in poverty. And we, in our right mind, would not wish that our family or friends remain poor like a church mouse.

But a rethink is needed. Is this emphasis on prosperity, which is ingrained in Chinese culture, correct in light of biblical teaching?

As believers, how much significance should we attach to prosperity?

Wealth is positive in many ways. It protects us and our family from danger and ill health. We can live in secure, guarded and gated homes. We can afford insurance, more nutritious food and better healthcare. It grants us opportunities to pursue tertiary studies and widens our options for work and leisure. Going on a holiday overseas, which would not be possible if we are poor, may help us to manage stress and improve our overall health.

The rich man’s wealth is his fortress, the ruin of the poor is their poverty (Proverbs 10:15).

A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his own imagination (Proverbs 18:11).

But if he is haughty and thinks that wealth makes him absolutely secure in life, he is wrong. In many ways, wealth is like a fortified city, but clinging to riches as our security blanket is most unwise.

Christ warns of the danger of attaching too much importance to wealth in the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21):

Following a bumper harvest, a rich man thought that he should tear down his barns and build larger ones. He trusted in his wealth and told himself, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” But God told him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ Self-centered and covetous, he did not realise that wealth is transient, uncertain and will lose its value the moment he dies.

This reminds me of those who keep on accumulating freehold property, not realising that they themselves are “leasehold”. God holds the “title” (our life) in His hands and He can choose to terminate the lease period anytime.

Like the rich man in the parable above, those who find security in possessions are constantly driven to acquire stuff. Sadly, they are often insensitive to God’s calling on their lives or the needs of others. And when they die or their empire collapses, they lose everything they hope will grant them security.

Our riches won’t help us on Judgment Day; only righteousness counts then (Proverbs 11:4).

We are warned: "Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist" (Proverbs 23:4). The principle here is that we must be wise and not relentlessly pursue wealth. This does not mean, however, that it is wrong to make money through hard work and legitimate means—or even to have a lot of money. Money in itself is not evil; it is the love of money which is a root of all kinds of evils (1Timothy 6:10).

Those who are consumed by a desire for riches without God in the picture, neither consulting Him nor living for Him, are foolish from a biblical viewpoint. Why? We brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world. Instead, we should demonstrate contentment, set our hopes on God, be generous and be rich in good deeds (1 Timothy 6: 7, 1 Timothy 6: 17-18).

Honest work and an enterprising spirit are good and bring honour to God’s name. In fact, businessmen and entrepreneurs can play a vital role in the marketplace by creating job opportunities and funding corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects. Laziness and indolence, on the other hand, should be condemned.

The danger lies not in the abundance of wealth we possess but how much the wealth possesses us. The issue is not how much money we have; it is the state of our heart—whether it is covetous/self-centered or God-centered.

           

A splendid example of a rich man who was unaffected by his wealth is Job. Though wealthy, Job was blameless, upright and feared God. Even when he was afflicted with many woes, including disease and the loss of his children and wealth, he did not curse God when pressured to do so by his wife.

In fact, he accepted his losses with a philosophical approach that reflected God’s sovereignty in His dealings with man:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there.

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

(Job 1:21)

“I know that You can do all things,

And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.”

(Job 42:2)

How many of us (myself included) would be able to maintain our integrity like Job in the face of such monumental losses, pain, heartache and misery?

If our security is tied to money, things or self, we'll be badly shaken, even panicky, if one or more of these props are removed.

However, if God is the centre (not money, things or self), we know that His peace, presence, wisdom & strength are with us as we go through trials in life.

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:3)    http://bit.ly/2EkhpAm

Because of his integrity amid adversity, Job was vindicated. God not only restored his fortunes but blessed him with twice as much. He started a new family and died in fullness of age. Thus God blessed Job’s latter years more than his early days.

Here was a man who had absolute trust in God. He trusted not in gold; neither did he rejoice because his wealth was great (Job 31: 24-25). Even in the storms of life, he was not overwhelmed because he had deep spiritual roots. His security was primarily in God, not in money, things or self.

Is the prevailing mood of prosperity during Chinese New Year aligned with biblical values? Or is it mainly cultural?

Jesus came that we might have an abundant life. But we must not hastily equate abundance with material wealth. That said, Jesus also taught that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions and we are to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

‘Seek first’ does not just merely imply the sequence of things: We seek God and then we can do our own thing. Rather, ‘seek first’ means that we must give God the priority over our concerns, legitimate though they may be.

• “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b).

• “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15).

• “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Let’s be reminded that when we love the world and the things of the world, our love for God diminishes. And we cannot love God and money to the same degree.

• “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father, but is of the world. The world and its desires are passing away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever" (1 John 2:15-17).

• “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money"(Matthew 6:24).

• “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God"(Colossians 3:1-3).

Clinging to material wealth as our security blanket is unwise. We certainly do not want to be like the self-centered man in the Parable of the Rich Fool, whose end was most tragic.

During this season of celebration, let’s be reminded that while there is nothing wrong in greeting one another, “A Happy and Prosperous New Year”, we must not get carried away by the prevailing mood of prosperity, which is more cultural than biblical. 

Wealth may make us more secure, but it does not mean prosperity will invariably guarantee security—now or in the hereafter.

FAITHFULNESS AND PROSPERITY

The life of Job is the embodiment of the following verses:

“The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honour and life.”

(Proverbs 22:4).

“Praise the Lord!

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,

    who greatly delights in his commandments!

His offspring will be mighty in the land;

    the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth and riches are in his house,

    and his righteousness endures forever.”

(Psalm 112: 1-3)

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers.

(Psalm 1:1-3)

EXTERNAL LINK

HIGH DEMAND FOR PROSPERITY

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/02/11/high-demand-for-prosperity-playing-an-auspicious-figure-calls-for-dedication-says-exchef/

RELATED POSTS

DOES GOD WANT US TO BE RICH?

What does Jesus actually mean when He says, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10)?

http://bit.ly/1FmM71c

WAS JESUS RICH? IS THE PROSPERITY GOSPEL VALID?

The belief that Jesus was rich lends support to the prosperity gospel. But was Jesus truly rich when He walked upon the earth?

http://bit.ly/1t057U9

MORE THAN ENOUGH

Facing hard times? An all-sufficient God is able to meet all our needs. How can we affirm and declare this truth?

http://bit.ly/1Vy6Dca

HOW TO ATTAIN FINANCIAL FREEDOM

http://bit.ly/NIWat8

BIBLICAL INSIGHTS ON FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT

http://bit.ly/1bXnQD2

MAKING WISE FINANCIAL DECISIONS

Our worldview and values determine how we make financial decisions in life. A wise move from an earthly viewpoint may not necessarily be so from an eternal perspective.

http://bit.ly/1jV1TIN

SHOULD CHRISTIANS OBSERVE THE ANCIENT RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS?

Are modern-day believers obligated to follow the laws concerning religious festivals found in the Old Testament?

Some Christians are reviving the religious practices of God’s people found in the Old Testament. They emphasise observance of the various religious festivals as commanded by Moses. They say it helps them to understand their Hebrew roots better, enhances intimacy with God and elevates worship to greater heights. 

These festivals were observed at the sanctuary in the wilderness and later at the temple in Jerusalem. Such occasions were marked by animal sacrifices, meat and drink offerings, confession of sins and great rejoicing.

The seven religious festivals in the Old Testament are listed in Leviticus 23: Passover, Unleavened Bread, Feast of First Fruits, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Feast of Tabernacles. They were held on specific days in a year and the cycle was repeated every year.

Are these religious festivals still relevant today? Are they binding on modern-day believers?

These festivals are no longer binding on believers today since they are only a shadow of better things to come. Ever since Christ, the perfect sacrificial Lamb came to reconcile man to God through the shedding of His blood, the significance of these festivals has diminished.

Long ago, the high priest had to repeatedly offer sacrifices in order to take away man’s sins. But when Christ came, He offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins through His death on the cross. Christ’s offering of Himself is superior, perfect and once-and-for-all, unlike the priest’s offerings (Hebrews 10: 1, 11-14).

In fact, the first (repetitive offerings by the priest) had to be abolished in order to make way for the second, Christ’s offering of Himself (Hebrews 10:9).

The new covenant, which God establishes through Christ, is better and superior to the old covenant, which is based on observance of the ceremonial laws of Moses.

“Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6).

If the old covenant were faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second (Hebrews 8:6-7). The old covenant—including its ceremonial laws and religious festivals—has been set aside and made obsolete with Christ’s coming (Hebrews 8:13).

These festivals are merely a shadow of things to come whereas the substance is found in Christ:

“Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ” (Colossians 2: 16-17, ESV).

“Don’t let anyone worry you by criticising what you eat or drink, or what holy days you ought to observe, or bothering you over new moons or sabbaths. All these things have at most only a symbolical value: the solid fact is Christ” (Colossians 2:16-19, J.B. Phillips).

“So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality” (Colossians 2:16-17, NLT).

What other verses tell us that the feasts are no longer binding on believers today?

When Christ came, He broke down the wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles since it was the ceremonial laws (with its stringent commandments) that kept these two groups of people apart (Ephesians 2:14-15). Should we rebuild this wall again? Of course, no.

Believers should see themselves as one in Christ, neither Jew nor Greek (Galatians 3:27-28). Paul argued cogently that Gentile believers constitute the new Israel (Galatians 3, Romans 9-11). How can we remain united in Christ if we keep on insisting that believers should keep such religious festivals?

What was the decision reached by the Jerusalem council on the issue whether new Gentile believers had to keep the ceremonial laws of Moses like their Jewish counterparts? The Gentiles were told they had to “abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality” and no greater burden was laid upon them apart from these requirements (Acts 15: 19-20, Acts 15: 28-29). Clearly, these were measures put in place to simplify the faith for the recent additions (Gentiles) to the fledgling church and move away from ritualistic practices. Should we then reinstate such festivals and make them normative for modern-day believers? No.

The book of Galatians is an attempt by Paul to underscore the fact that we are free in Christ, saved by grace through faith, not shackled by Jewish legalism—and that includes circumcision, observance of the ceremonial laws and religious festivals. This letter may be called the Magna Charta of Christian liberty.

Whereas man failed to fulfil the requirements of the ceremonial laws of Moses (of which the feasts were a part), Christ fulfilled all of them: "Because we broke God’s laws, we owed a debt—a debt that listed all the rules (ordinances) we failed to follow. But God forgave us of that debt. He took it away and nailed it to the cross" (Colossians 2:14). If we are now debt-free (declared righteous based on Christ's work on the cross), do we still have to observe the feasts? 

What are the possible dangers of encouraging the practice of observing these religious feasts?

Firstly, there is the danger of undermining the centrality and preeminence of Christ and His work at the cross (1 Corinthians 2:2).

Secondly, it might create division within the Body of Christ. Believers who do not observe such festivals may feel that they are not up to the mark, spiritually, compared to those who do. (Actually, the former should not feel like that as Colossians 2:16 tells us that we should not let anyone judge us for not observing religious festivals; it’s a false scruple).

Thirdly, if one continually emphasises observance of such feasts, one might neglect The Gospel Commission, which is to make disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28:19-20).

Fourthly, it is fallacious to think that we are embracing a purer, better and “more authentic” brand of Christianity by merely incorporating these ancient religious festivals in our churches. If we are not Christ-centered, if we do not regularly seek God’s presence on the basis of Christ’s shed blood, if we fail to repent when we sin, then all the worship, dancing and rejoicing during these festivals are just a form.

Undoubtedly, religious festivals (like Passover) helps us better understand why shedding of blood is necessary for atonement of man’s sins, and appreciate the immense suffering Christ had to go through in order to redeem us from sin.

While believers should understand the significance of these religious festivals—as it foreshadows Christ’s redeeming work at the cross—it does not mean that Christians should continue to observe such practices today.

                                                                   

With the tabernacle gone & the temple curtain torn, man now has free access to God through Jesus. Yet, some want to revive the religious festivals according to the law of Moses, which reflects the old covenant. Isn’t that a regressive step?

                                                          Torn Curtain of Temple      

And Christians should not feel guilty or think that they are relegated to second-class status if they do not observe such religious festivals.

Today, those who want to revive the religious feasts of the Old Testament are free to do so according to their interpretation of scripture. After all, its effects are positive, unlike destructive heresies such as hyper-grace.

However, it would be improper to impose their convictions on other believers that they must celebrate such festivals, which are merely a shadow of the substance, Christ, who has already come to fulfil all the requirements of the ceremonial laws of Moses. 

                                                                    

To conclude, it is absolutely clear that everything God does is summed up in His Son, Jesus. He is to have the preeminence in everything. He is central to our Christian faith. Christians should focus on Christ, rather than put aside certain special days in a year to celebrate such religious festivals. To observe such festivals is to detract from Christ the glory and honour that rightly belongs to Him.

                                                                       

In Christ alone our hope is found. We focus on Christ alone, not religious festivals.

IN CHRIST ALONE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjR_A2pGPrY

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

CELEBRATE THE ANCIENT FEASTS?

“Today, those who want to revive the religious feasts of the Old Testament are free to do so according to their interpretation of scripture. After all, its effects are positive, unlike destructive heresies such as hyper-grace.

However, it would be improper to impose their convictions on other believers that they must celebrate such festivals, which are merely a shadow of the substance, Christ, who has already come to fulfil all the requirements of the ceremonial laws of Moses.”
-  Porridge for the Soul

RELATED POST

GRACE AND LAW

Have God’s moral laws become irrelevant for believers saved by grace? Does grace do away with the Law? Has Jesus ever said “it’s all by God’s grace” and that the Law has been abolished for believers?

http://bit.ly/2rbsP1b

“We are saved not by keeping the Law but by grace through faith. Though saved, we are still subject to God's moral laws but not the ceremonial and ritualistic laws. The foregoing sums up, in essence, the sticky debate on the role of the Law in the life of believers. Unless one differentiates between God's moral laws and ceremonial laws, one can be pretty confused. The ceremonial laws, such as circumcision, are no longer binding on modern-day believers.”

— Porridge for the Soul

“The Gospel proclaims liberty from the ceremonial law, but binds you still faster under the moral law. To be freed from the ceremonial law is the Gospel liberty; to pretend freedom from the moral law is Antinomianism.”

— Methodist commentator, Adam Clarke

EXTERNAL LINKS

ALTERNATIVE VIEWS ON RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS

http://christianitymalaysia.com/wp/israel-roots-kingdom-fruits-spirit-pilgrim-feasts-pentecost-tabernacles/

http://christianitymalaysia.com/wp/israel-roots-kingdom-fruits-spirit-pilgrim-feasts-passover/

http://christianitymalaysia.com/wp/feasting-with-the-king-at-the-feast-of-tabernacles-tabernacle-of-david/#comment-91626

PASSOVER

“Passover reminds us of redemption from sin. It was the time when Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, was offered as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. It is on that basis alone that God can justify the ungodly sinner. Just as the blood of a lamb sprinkled on the doorpost of Jewish homes caused the Spirit of the Lord to pass over those homes during the last plague on Egypt (Exodus 12), so those covered by the blood of the Lamb will escape the spiritual death and judgment God will visit upon all who reject Him. Of all the Jewish festivals, Passover is of the greatest importance because the Lord’s Supper was a Passover meal (Matthew 26:17–27). In passing the elements and telling the disciples to eat of His body, Jesus was presenting Himself as the ultimate Passover Lamb.”

Source of above Passover extract: https://www.gotquestions.org/Jewish-festivals.html

THE HEBREW ROOTS MOVEMENT

https://www.gotquestions.org/Hebrew-roots.html