Deuteronomy 8 and the prosperity gospel

[Bill the Cat]

I just heard a gentleman preaching on Deuteronomy 8, and specifically the following verse:

Deut 8:18 But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day


I have tried to explain that this was a specific command to the Jews in the wilderness to confirn the covenant at Sinai, but he continues to believe that it applies to us, and that God gives us power to create wealth for ourselves.

Thoughts?

[Rdr. Arsenios]

I just heard a gentleman preaching on Deuteronomy 8, and specifically the following verse:

Deut 8:18 But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day


I have tried to explain that this was a specific command to the Jews in the wilderness to confirn the covenant at Sinai, but he continues to believe that it applies to us, and that God gives us power to create wealth for ourselves.

Thoughts?

Well, if he really thinks that creating wealth for ourselves is the way to follow Christ, then he has to reconcile it with denial of self as the first step in following Christ... Since he wants man to create wealth for his SELF...

Is not repentance self-denial?

Arsenios

[One Bad Pig]

I just heard a gentleman preaching on Deuteronomy 8, and specifically the following verse:

Deut 8:18 But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day


I have tried to explain that this was a specific command to the Jews in the wilderness to confirn the covenant at Sinai, but he continues to believe that it applies to us, and that God gives us power to create wealth for ourselves.

Thoughts?

In fairness, the apostles struggled to grasp this as well - which is why they were so troubled when Jesus let them know it was scarcely possible for a rich man to be saved.

[Darth Executor]

In fairness, the apostles struggled to grasp this as well - which is why they were so troubled when Jesus let them know it was scarcely possible for a rich man to be saved.

Coincidentally, I've revised this particular section recently myself and I'm no longer sure that was Jesus's point at all. Abraham was rich, after all. The apostles were troubled because the young man was doing well (very well, in fact), but even so, all his deeds on their own would amount to nothing because he still wasn't perfect. I think what Jesus was saying is that there is nothing man himself can do to enter the kingdom of heaven. Hence the "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." No matter what any of us do, we will likely run into things that are as much of an obstacle for us to achieve perfection as the wealth was to the young man.

[Jawa Man]

Couldn't it be both interpretations DE and OBP?


*goes back into the grave*

[Darth Executor]

Couldn't it be both interpretations DE and OBP?


*goes back into the grave*

Well, OBP's interpretation would be included in mine, I just don't think the point Jesus was making was about wealth specifically.

[Rdr. Arsenios]

Couldn't it be both interpretations DE and OBP?


*goes back into the grave*

Things are never as they seem... Riches and poverty are both to be pitied... It is easier for the poor man to become spiritually poor, for he already knows poverty, whereas the rich man has no training at all, and needs to learn from scratch, and has a long way to go... But the poor man who scorns the rich is in fact rich, and needs to learn to become "poor in spirit"...

The issue of rich and poor involves humility and love for rich and poor alike...

Arsenios

[One Bad Pig]

What I had in mind was the consensus of that time that the rich were rich because they were blessed by God. If THEY could scarcely be saved, how would anyone else have a chance?

[RonC]

1. The Hebrew term translated as “wealth” connotes more strength or capability.
2. The Greek term used by the 72 in LXX to render the Hebrew term also connotes influence and authority as well as strength or capacity.
3. Finally in the verse states why elohiym bestowed this capacity… “so that HE may establish HIS covenant”, not so individuals might might aquire personal wealth!

The term translated as "establish" connotes "raise up"... in Numbers 9:15 the term is used with regard to raising or setting up a tent... the Greek used in the LXX connotes "make stand".