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Upcoming Sermons & Devotional Message
September Sermons 2026
9-27- Model Sacrificial Stewardship
Deuteronomy 14:22-23 2 Corinthians 8:3-4
Devotional Message : These will change 1-2 times a week. Stop by often to read the new message.
Some Thoughts on Claiming Prosperity versus Living Generously
I believe God invites us to be stewards of all we have so we can live generously and honor him. But while we want prosperity, we sometimes shun living generously.
I’m concerned we sometimes act as if God is a genie with a magic lamp—and if we ask in just the right way, we’ll get “whatever” we want. Thinking this way usually reveals a broken “wanter” as we attempt to manipulate God to give us whatever we want. It’s a futile exercise, but we try nonetheless.
The prophet Micah addressed our propensity to claim prosperity rather than live generously:
“If a liar and deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’ that would be just the prophet for this people!” (Micah 2:11)
False prophets usually spoke a message of prosperity, such as “God is sending plenty of wine and beer!” Since this is what people wanted to hear, these false prophets were very popular. Little has changed since then.
The same is true today. The most popular preachers are often those who preach health, wealth, and happiness through faith in Jesus Christ. These are false prophets who preach a prosperity gospel: “God wants to bless you with wealth.” “Name it and claim it!”
While very appealing, it’s not what Jesus promised. Jesus instead warned,
“In this world you will have trouble…” (John 16:33)
And that’s what the early church experienced.
The author of the New Testament letter to the Hebrews writes,
“You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.” (Hebrews 10:34)
The gospel of Jesus Christ isn’t necessarily the best news for our present age, but it is the best news for the age to come. This distinction is important.
If Christians are taught to expect too much in this age, they’ll become disillusioned. But if they're taught to expect hardship, they won’t be surprised when it happens. Life in a wicked world is not easy for believers, but those who stand firm to the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22).
Get to know the difference between claiming prosperity and living generously, my friends!
Bishop Jeff Greenway