Wednesday, July 18, 2007

John Piper on the Pro$perity Gospel
...one of the most powerful statements I have heard on this issue



1Tim. 6:3 ¶ If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,
1Tim. 6:4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,
1Tim. 6:5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of [material or financial] gain.
1Tim. 6:6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.
1Tim. 6:7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.
1Tim. 6:8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
1Tim. 6:9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
1Tim. 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

9 comments:

Scott Schuyler said...

Wow! Let us all be drawn even closer to the true Gospel of the Lord Jesus!

donsands said...

I've seen this a couple times already. I watched here again, and I was once again entrenched upon and within the true Gospel, and more convinced that this perverted gospel needs to be exposed.

I met Dr. Piper at a conference here in Annapolis Maryland. He is quite a humble man of God, who is "full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom'. Acts 6:4

Anonymous said...

I saw this video and at first thought that someone had pieced his words together to make it. But, then it sounded more normal... and it certainly sounds like something he would say. I think we need to hear more of this in America.

P.S. Desiringgod.org trapped me into buying 13 Piper books for 5 dollars a piece... ok... so maybe it wasn't a trap and I wanted them really badly... 5 bucks? :)

Only Look said...

I think you have to reach a point in your life to where you have been so deeply afflicted enough that you finally say to this message.."Amen."

gigantor1231 said...

SJ

I had been a victim of the proponents of the prosperity gospel for many years in my life and I would have to strongly agree with pastor Piper, this strong of feeling is appropriate. IMHO this is the same hatred that Christ displayed while driving the money changers from the temple!

SJ Camp said...

The gospel demands a cross; our lives do not consist of the things that we possess. Our best life now is the life surrendered to Jesus Christ and lived to His glory.

If He gives some in the body great wealth, may they use it for His glory to spread His gospel. If others have nothing in material goods in this life, may they not be bitter, but give wholeheartedly their lives in sacrifice to the Lord and King.

In whatever station of life by God's gracious hand we find ourselves, may we use out gifts and talents for Him and hold loosely to the things of this world.

Amen?

1Tim. 6:3 ¶ If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,
1Tim. 6:4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,
1Tim. 6:5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.
1Tim. 6:6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.
1Tim. 6:7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.
1Tim. 6:8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
1Tim. 6:9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
1Tim. 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

donsands said...

Amen!

Only Look said...

Heres the most powerful statement I've read on then issue:

"Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share rule with you! For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as loved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you then to be imitators of me." 1 Corinthians 4:8-16

Gage Browning said...

God forgive me for my greed, and constant chasing after the things of this world. God forgive me, and my want to avoid sufferings, loss and pain.

Gage Browning
Post Tenebras Lux