Deuteronomy 32, the Song of Moses, is a compact summary of the story of God and His first born son, Israel. In it we find Israel given the name Jeshurun, which is a name that applies to them when their lives are prospering and things are going well. God brought the prosperity, but Moses is clearly shown the when the nation prospers, it goes after other gods, and scorns the God of Israel.
Yeshua warns His followers that the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of riches and and the lust for other things would lead them away from Him. John in one of his letters warns of the same thing and in Revelation Laocidea becomes the poster child for a prosperous gathering that is in all actuality, poor, blind and lame.
In other words "Prosperity Kills".
WHY?
As I see it, prosperity removes us from the moment to moment dependence on God that is the perfect soil for the seed of the gospel. Persecution and poverty help to keep us pulled in tight under the wing of God, His protection and provision.
When our identity is one who is beloved and shown great mercy by God our lives will reflect that.
We will live from this identity as a people who desire to have their lives count in an ultimate way. Our purpose is to live in such a way as to give glory to God and in order to be a blessing to others.
We never do to earn an identity. We are given an identity and the Life of Yeshua inside of us begins the process of total transformation of our outward man.
As it was for the Jews building the temple, first the altar is built and then the temple is built around that.
Marantha, Lord God of Israel, have Your way!
