Thanks, Kelly. Thanks so much for reading my post. Who do you serve with in Ghana? Africa is the only continent I have never been to, and I hope God opens the way for me to visit it at some time.

On giving and prosperity.
I think the key is to give.
If in my heart I’m investing—giving with a hope of gaining a return—well, God knows our hearts.
There is plenty of truth to support that, but it is rooted in the Old Testament covenant Israel lived under. A covenant of Law not grace and which had physical blessings attached to things like Sabbath observance and tithing.

As Christians we live under a new covenant. One based on grace. We can experience a relationship with God made possible through the blood of Jesus Christ shed for our sins.
When I think of giving I recall the widow who gave the mite that Jesus pointed out to the disciples. I know God took care of that widow, but I don’t believe she gave to receive. I think she gave out of love for God. Paul called people like her,”cheerful givers”.

You are 100% right about those who tell you to give to their ministry and you’ll be blessed! We minister in Ghana, West Africa and the Prosperity Gospel is very prominent there. A pastor with an $80,000.00 Mercedes he bought with tithe money from poor people.
Do these people have no fear of God at all???

I admire your accomplishments and am thrilled that you live in the UK. May God bless you and give you an open door for the gospel in a nation that founded ‘Missionary Work’.
In Jesus,
Kelly

I suspect these 2 totally different ways of interpreting ‘prosperity theology’ might do well to separate themselves very obviously… the one leading people to believe they can and will gain a prosperous lifestyle (in Western terms) – thing like posh cars, big house, lots of luxuries, everything like paradise because we tithe, and because we think we are chosen by God, is pernicious, wrong, and leads to heartbreak and/or to disappointment, and is a useless witness to God’s personality. The other one, give and you will receive, is linked in to generosity, to making sure others have enough to live on, and caring, and is the Jesus way. It is so obvious. It is also true that we who are Christians have to face facts: God works through people who don’t believe they’re chosen by God, yet they give of themselves daily, working in places and with people who many of us would shun or want to shun or just be useless with. He oddly does not make two piles of helpers for the poor, oppressed, and suffering. Think for example of workers for MSF risking their lives… That’s one way that God’s ways are not ours!

As my pastor often says, “Why don’t those ministers send you a hundred dollars and get the tenfold back?” That’s hilarious. By the personal and corporate generosity of those who ask us to give to receive shall we know if they believe what they preach.
Yes for offering to buy my books. You might enjoy “Wandering Between Two Worlds,” which is my life in essays, and “Francesco” which is beautifully illustrated. Yes, I will send you a signed nameplate to glue into them 🙂

Thanks Mari! Off to reply to you by email!

Jacqueline, would you like a ebook of my children’s story?

Mozambique! Did you encounter Heidi Baker? Our family loves her.

I think prosperity theology as taught can be a perversion of Jesus intent, with its emphasis on cars and wealth if we give to someone’s ministry. However, the principle of tides, giving what you have a lack of to get more, I think is scriptural–because giving when you have very little is a sublime act of faith.

I was just bad mouthing prosperity gospel the other evening in an arrogant manner and this was a timely reminder not to shout one’s mouth off too arrogantly about other branches of Christianity. Having lived in Mozambique for 11 years accompanying my husband who works for World Vision I so get the Maslow Hierarchy of needs thing.