"The BLESSING of POVERTY..." Uhhh, What chapter and verse was that again???

Truth is---you probably know this as well as I do---there is no such blessing. No, not even the proverbial 'blessing in disguise' ever manifests in the form of poverty---at least not as revealed in Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation; neither in the Bible reference pages, the margins, nor maps, can we find any hint to such an idea. The only place where we can 'learn' that poverty can be, and often is, a 'blessing from God' is in church Only not from the Bible.

How sad.

Here we go now... At least one reads thus far and determines with deep chagrin---"Oh no! Brother Eddie has turned out to be one of those 'prosperity, name it/claim it, hyper-faith, you can have what you say, superficial, financial gospel kind of preachers!"

Actually, I am NONE of those; and I am ALL of those. What do I mean?...

Someone asked me, back in the eighties, "Are you one of those 'hyper-faith' preachers?"

I said, "Yeah boy! I'm not only 'hyper-faith', I'm 'super-hyper-faith'! And to borrow from Lester Sumrall, I'm 'super-hyper-DUPER-faith!"

How can a man have too much, in the faith department? How could anyone really be too 'hyper' in his faith? "Without faith it is impossible to please [God]", the Scripture says (Heb. 11:6). Could we ever 'please God' too much? Would God ever rebuke a man in the form of such a question... "Are you one of those 'HYPER-PLEASING TO GOD' kind of preachers?

Let me make this clear... Nothing comes closer to nauseating me than to hear one of the famous, celebrity preachers preaching their 'seed-faith' message, bragging about their million dollar homes and their private jets---lying to people, saying, "You can have these same blessings if you'll plant your thousand dollar 'seed-offering' in this ministry today". Not that I have such a big problem with the concept of reaping what we sow, even in the financial realm. My problem is the fact that the 'seed-faith' concept seems only to work if you sow into that particular ministry---the ministry of the one who is preaching the message at the time. Have you ever heard a preacher make such a promise to you, if you will but give your 'seed' to your own church, pastor, or some other ministry? Actually I only know of one. There are without a doubt, more than that. But for years, on the "Voice of Triumph" and the "Back to the Word" daily radio broadcasts which were heard throughout the eastern United States, one preacher---the host of the program (yours truly :) )---offered his tapes and literature free of charge. And when I taught on 'giving and receiving', I challenged the radio audience to plant their 'seed-faith' offerings in their local church---to OTHER ministries---not to me.

I know this sounds like I'm bragging about 'sufferin for Jesus', but frankly, I would rather have the Lord's financial blessing in return for any generosity on my part, than all the 'seeds' people are out there just awaitin' to give. His return is always better and He is a whole lot more faithful. For years, my daily radio broadcast was heard in as many as ten states simultaneously, and the 'bill' was $4,000.00 per month (plus). The Lord supplied that cost faithfully, along with the cost of equipment, blank tapes, labels, postage and postage materials, etc. And I never had to ask anyone but Him for that.

No, I'm afraid I would never be known as a 'prosperity, faith teacher'. My text scriptures for my very first 'prosperity message', which I taught in 1982 was this...

"...and having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."
--1 Timothy 6:8-12

Believe it or not, there was at least one 'strong-in-faith', 'uncompromised Word' (or so, she claimed), kind of person in that Sunday morning congregation, who later confided... "When I heard you reading your 'text scripture', and knowing the title of your message was 'Biblical prosperity', I almost got right up and left... I thought you were going to really get on my case for simply trusting in God for my finances".

She was later glad she didn't leave. But the sad truth of the matter is this... Far too many Christians are bound up with such a shallow 'faith' message, they never allow themselves to hear and understand the true message of faith, and how to successfully and victoriously 'fight the good fight of faith'. They never really 'lay hold on eternal life' and therefore never walk in all that 'life' has to offer. There is a vital part of the biblical 'faith message' that few want to hear, let alone meditate in, and come to a full, heart-felt knowledge of. It includes understanding those basics Paul was referring to, in his above quoted letter to Timothy---righteousness, godliness, love, patience, etc..., ALL of which are essential ingredients to that overcoming, mountain-moving kind of faith we so desire.

The young King Solomon was approached by God Almighty with this proposal...

"Ask! What shall I give you?" (2 Chronicles 1:7)

What a deal! God is prepared to give you WHATEVER you want. Just "ASK"!

What would you do?... What would I do?

Here's what Solomon did...

"And Solomon said to God: You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. Now, O Lord
God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for you have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.
Now give me WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?"
--2 Chron. 1:8-10

What?

'Wisdom and Knowledge'?

What about that new house, car, jet, etc?

"Then God said to Solomon; Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life---but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have make you king---wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like."
--2 Chron. 1:11-12

Such is a prime example of the fruits of the "good fight of faith". We are not necessarily going to get the same deal, when we get down to details, however, our God is same faithful God as the God of Solomon---the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And He still responds to true faith in the same manner. He also still, does NOT respond favorably to the carnal desires of his people... As if God---the creator and owner of a thousand hills and a thousand cattle on those hills is not able to know, understand, and MEET your needs, when you are faithful to Him, cooperate with Him, and simply trust Him.

I have more to say, which I will post on my very next blog---a testimony of recent events involving God's wisdom and favor in showing me, my wife, and at least two of my children, a business method, through which my family needs as well as all the financial needs of my ministry is going to be met, to the glory of God. More on the next blog, but there are many realities of the gospel truth of God's provision that come to light, in the testimony of these recent events. So by all means...

Stay tuned :)