Comments on: The crutch of prosperity http://online.worldmag.com/2009/06/29/the-crutch-of-prosperity/ A forum for discussion of news that arises at the intersection of Christianity and culture. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:19:33 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: mylo http://online.worldmag.com/2009/06/29/the-crutch-of-prosperity/comment-page-1/#comment-441209 mylo Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:17:07 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=20032#comment-441209 If only the comment section was invisible. If only the comment section was invisible.

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]]> By: sansend http://online.worldmag.com/2009/06/29/the-crutch-of-prosperity/comment-page-1/#comment-440184 sansend Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:57:57 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=20032#comment-440184 I agree with JOHNY. Besides, the bible doesn't always mean material prosperity. Also, as someone said, (I can't remember who, but they were pretty smart) "the greatest test a man can endure is prosperity" For some Christians, it's a gift. for others a test. I agree with JOHNY.

Besides, the bible doesn’t always mean material prosperity.

Also, as someone said, (I can’t remember who, but they were pretty smart) “the greatest test a man can endure is prosperity” For some Christians, it’s a gift. for others a test.

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]]> By: Jonny http://online.worldmag.com/2009/06/29/the-crutch-of-prosperity/comment-page-1/#comment-439967 Jonny Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:26:49 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=20032#comment-439967 Sorry. I don't see at all. Maybe I missed something, but I don't think that Tony was trying to lay down an absolute on this-- that the spiritually weakest are always the most prosperous or that the spiritually strongest are always the poorest. I think he was just pointing out how God offers some of us (like myself) a crutch to hobble through life because our trust isn't as strong as that of others. I find JYCM's post in #22 offensive, as if God is some sort of cosmic video game-- the software hints book says that if I do one thing, the software will react in a particular way, viz. "God’s word is the instruction book for His kingdom. When we operate in His kingdom we have prosperity, for the individual and the nation. How much simpler can it get? " I'll tell you how much simpler it can get: God is personal, not mechanical. He takes care of us if we permit Him to do so but lets us refuse Him if we wish. We can end up in poverty or prosperity, but, in either case, we have the opportunity to work out our salvation in our own circumstances. -- Jonny Sorry. I don’t see at all.

Maybe I missed something, but I don’t think that Tony was trying to lay down an absolute on this– that the spiritually weakest are always the most prosperous or that the spiritually strongest are always the poorest. I think he was just pointing out how God offers some of us (like myself) a crutch to hobble through life because our trust isn’t as strong as that of others.

I find JYCM’s post in #22 offensive, as if God is some sort of cosmic video game– the software hints book says that if I do one thing, the software will react in a particular way, viz. “God’s word is the instruction book for His kingdom. When we operate in His kingdom we have prosperity, for the individual and the nation. How much simpler can it get? ”

I’ll tell you how much simpler it can get: God is personal, not mechanical. He takes care of us if we permit Him to do so but lets us refuse Him if we wish. We can end up in poverty or prosperity, but, in either case, we have the opportunity to work out our salvation in our own circumstances.

– Jonny

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]]> By: REG http://online.worldmag.com/2009/06/29/the-crutch-of-prosperity/comment-page-1/#comment-439685 REG Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:08:38 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=20032#comment-439685 Jonny, Well, you see, it all has to do with the meanings of the words that God uses in His get word. Read the Psalms, that will get you closer to the meanings. The Psalms will balance suffering and prosperity and the role of God in the life of the godly and the ungodly. Jonny,
Well, you see, it all has to do with the meanings of the words that God uses in His get word. Read the Psalms, that will get you closer to the meanings. The Psalms will balance suffering and prosperity and the role of God in the life of the godly and the ungodly.

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]]> By: Jonny http://online.worldmag.com/2009/06/29/the-crutch-of-prosperity/comment-page-1/#comment-439487 Jonny Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:29:22 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=20032#comment-439487 JYCM, You ARE kidding, right? JYCM,
You ARE kidding, right?

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]]> By: jycm http://online.worldmag.com/2009/06/29/the-crutch-of-prosperity/comment-page-1/#comment-439368 jycm Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:44:43 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=20032#comment-439368 You people have read the Bible, right? God's word is the instruction book for His kingdom. When we operate in His kingdom we have prosperity, for the individual and the nation. How much simpler can it get? You people have read the Bible, right? God’s word is the instruction book for His kingdom. When we operate in His kingdom we have prosperity, for the individual and the nation. How much simpler can it get?

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]]> By: Jonny http://online.worldmag.com/2009/06/29/the-crutch-of-prosperity/comment-page-1/#comment-439114 Jonny Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:22:01 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=20032#comment-439114 Let us attend to the words of St. John Chrysostom: "In the matter of piety, poverty serves us better than wealth, and work better than idleness, especially since wealth becomes an obstacle even for those who do not devote themselves to it. Yet, when we must put aside our wrath, quench our envy, soften our anger, offer our prayers, and show a disposition which is reasonable, mild, kindly, and loving, how could poverty stand in our way? For we accomplish these things not by spending money but by making the correct choice. Almsgiving above all else requires money, but even this shines with a brighter luster when the alms are given from our poverty. The widow who paid in the two mites was poorer than any human, but she outdid them all." Let us attend to the words of St. John Chrysostom:

“In the matter of piety, poverty serves us better than wealth, and work better than idleness, especially since wealth becomes an obstacle even for those who do not devote themselves to it. Yet, when we must put aside our wrath, quench our envy, soften our anger, offer our prayers, and show a disposition which is reasonable, mild, kindly, and loving, how could poverty stand in our way? For we accomplish these things not by spending money but by making the correct choice. Almsgiving above all else requires money, but even this shines with a brighter luster when the alms are given from our poverty. The widow who paid in the two mites was poorer than any human, but she outdid them all.”

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]]> By: Karen O http://online.worldmag.com/2009/06/29/the-crutch-of-prosperity/comment-page-1/#comment-439062 Karen O Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:54:24 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=20032#comment-439062 Victoria - Yes, there are many who look with envy at those with "more". And it's not only poorer people who do this. For some people, no matter how rich they may be, if someone else is richer, they want more. Often it's a matter of status. Discontentment is rampant in our society, sadly. But godliness with contentment (or is it contentment with godliness?) is indeed great gain. Victoria – Yes, there are many who look with envy at those with “more”. And it’s not only poorer people who do this. For some people, no matter how rich they may be, if someone else is richer, they want more. Often it’s a matter of status.

Discontentment is rampant in our society, sadly.

But godliness with contentment (or is it contentment with godliness?) is indeed great gain.

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]]> By: endyblue http://online.worldmag.com/2009/06/29/the-crutch-of-prosperity/comment-page-1/#comment-438992 endyblue Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:23:50 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=20032#comment-438992 Some of the most content people I know are people who aren't wealthy by the world's standards. Some of the most discontent people are pursuing wealth because they've come to believe that material prosperity is God's will for all; that it shows His hand of blessing on your life (I used to be one of these). I like content. Some of the most content people I know are people who aren’t wealthy by the world’s standards. Some of the most discontent people are pursuing wealth because they’ve come to believe that material prosperity is God’s will for all; that it shows His hand of blessing on your life (I used to be one of these).

I like content.

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]]> By: kay http://online.worldmag.com/2009/06/29/the-crutch-of-prosperity/comment-page-1/#comment-438944 kay Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:05:29 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=20032#comment-438944 Tony, thanks for the reminder to be thankful for all of God's blessings. Tony, thanks for the reminder to be thankful for all of God’s blessings.

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