Recently I've had a number of people tell me that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not a "Health and Wealth" gospel.

Now I would understand this stance if the claim was being made that the gospel was only about "Health and Wealth", but many think it includes these things, for those believers whose priority is the kingdom of God.

As Jesus said in Matthew 6:33.
Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

And as has been said, "If Jesus was rich, why do I have to be poor?"

That counter statement made me think, Is "Health and Wealth" included in the gospel or are they excluded? Which is true and what was the overall status of Jesus and the disciples? Aren't they our best guide?

Let's look first on what things Jesus and the disciples spent their money. What about clothing?

Mat 27:35 After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for His (Jesus') clothes by throwing dice.

Joh 19:23-24 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said, "Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it".

Jesus' cothes were of such quality that the Roman Soldiers did not give them away or throw them away but rather they gambled to see who would get what, especially His robe which was woven without a seam!

We are not talking about cut price, low budget clothing here!

Now how did Jesus and the disciples become rich? We know that Jesus said that He only did what He saw the Father doing. So what does the Father do regarding finances?

Deu 8:18 Always remember that it is the LORD your God who gives YOU power to become rich, and He does it to fulfill the covenant He made with your ancestors

So did you notice that God says HE gives YOU the POWER to become rich! And, this is in fulfillment of His promises! This is under the old covenant and we are under a better covenant! So should we believe what God says or what men say? I pick God!

Now what does God mean by the "power" that He gives us?

One acronym that is used to describe this power is :-
P: Plans & Ideas.
O: Organisation & Opportunity.
W: Work Ethic.
E: Enthusiasm.
R: Rewards.

And, the scriptures tell us that God delights when we use the power He gives us to gain wealth and use it to bless others. Just as Abraham before us who was blessed to be a blessing to others so God blesses us with the power to become rich so that we can be a blessing to others.

Ps 35:27 Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor My vindication; And let them say continually, "The LORD be magnified, Who delights in the prosperity of His servant(s)."

Does God really delight in the prosperity of His servants? Well what was Abraham's situation for instance regarding prosperity/wealth?

Gen 13:2 And Abram (Abraham) was very rich; in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

Abraham wasn't just rich, he was VERY rich! And this is not talking about spiritual wealth; it's talking about cattle, silver and gold. So God does delight in the prosperity of His people! From what some people say one would not get that impression! But it's always a good idea to believe what God says about Himself in His word, rather that what others say about Him!

Seeing all this, one wonders why anyone would think that Jesus would live one kind of life with His disciples and treat 'bible time' believers one way and then expect us to live the opposite today? He doesn't!

Now if someone's character is such that the only way they feel that they can follow God is if they are poor then they have to live with that mindset but that does not mean that 'God' wants all people to live that way!

God wants His peopple to be blessed like He blessed Abraham.

Galatians 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

We have the choice of using the power God gives, to the extent our faith allows. It's up to us. God is not a respecter of persons.

Best wishes for Grace and The Peace of Jesus.

Attlee.