I've always wanted to know where the line is between the 'prosperity doctrine' and being on the opposite end where we don't live the abundant life God so desperately wants us to have. Are we asking/accepting too many 'good things' in this life or are we missing out on the blessings God wants to give us? Then I read this scripture in the AMP...
"31 Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, what are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? 32 For the Gentile (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. 33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His Kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given to you besides." Matthew 6:31-33
After reading this it seems to me that the answer is more of a heart issue. What are we seeking first? Are we trusting God and doing His will above all else (no matter the financial status it comes with) or are we pursuing careers/things first then trying to fit God into it? I think it's so easy to judge other Christians in this area. When they are in a hard spot we either think they've done something wrong or they are being lazy and should just get up and make 'something' of themselves. Or when someone is doing well and are wealthy, healthy and happy we assume they love money more than God or we think they should give some away and live cheaper. But is this really what God would say? It's true people can think wrongly in both instinces but maybe instead of judging and confronting them we should just pray and ask God to reveal the Truth in the situation. Maybe we should check our own heart before we look at theirs. Who knows the human heart better than God? Something to think about...
