Topical Bible: Temptation: Often Arises Through: Prosperity

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In the biblical narrative, prosperity is frequently depicted as a double-edged sword, offering both blessings and potential pitfalls. While material wealth and success can be seen as signs of God's favor, they also present unique challenges and temptations that can lead individuals away from a faithful relationship with God.

Biblical Examples and Warnings

1. Solomon's Wealth and Wisdom: King Solomon is a prime example of how prosperity can lead to temptation. Granted unparalleled wisdom and wealth by God, Solomon's heart eventually turned away from the Lord due to his many foreign wives and the idolatry they introduced (1 Kings 11:1-4). Despite his initial devotion, Solomon's prosperity became a snare, leading him to compromise his faith.

2. The Rich Young Ruler: In the New Testament, Jesus encounters a rich young ruler who struggles with the temptation of wealth. When asked to sell his possessions and follow Jesus, the young man becomes sorrowful, unable to part with his great wealth (Matthew 19:21-22). This account illustrates how prosperity can create an attachment to material possessions, hindering one's spiritual journey.

3. Warnings in Proverbs: The Book of Proverbs offers wisdom on the dangers of wealth. Proverbs 30:8-9 states, "Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion. Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God." This passage highlights the risk of forgetting God in times of abundance.

4. The Church of Laodicea: In Revelation, the church of Laodicea is rebuked for its complacency and self-sufficiency, stemming from its wealth. The Lord admonishes them, saying, "You say, 'I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing,' but you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17). This serves as a stark reminder of how prosperity can lead to spiritual blindness and self-reliance.

Theological Insights

Prosperity, while a potential blessing, can lead to a false sense of security and self-sufficiency. The Bible consistently warns against the temptation to trust in riches rather than in God. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10 , Paul cautions, "Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil."

Practical Implications

Believers are encouraged to maintain a posture of humility and dependence on God, regardless of their material circumstances. The teachings of Jesus emphasize storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). Christians are called to use their resources for God's glory, practicing generosity and stewardship as antidotes to the temptations of prosperity.

In summary, while prosperity can be a sign of God's blessing, it also presents significant spiritual challenges. The biblical narrative and teachings urge believers to remain vigilant, ensuring that their hearts remain aligned with God's will, even amidst abundance.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 30:9
Lest I be full, and deny you, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 4:8
Again, the devil takes him up into an exceeding high mountain, and shows him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter vi. Temptation.
... But if it arises from the application of the Scripture to ... Satan, no doubt, often
brings the most sweet and ... Satan manages temptation with the greatest subtlety. ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter vi temptation.htm

The Old Store an the New
... expansible spirits that receive, the certainty arises of an ... It is often difficult
to adjust the relations of our ... There is always a temptation to make too much ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the old store an the.htm

Glimpses
... sense of a continued communion arises spontaneously. ... great, pure, loving soul; and
temptation falls dead ... and penalties; has employed asceticism, often with most ...
//christianbookshelf.org/merriam/the chief end of man/iv glimpses.htm

The Season of Epiphany.
... As great men of this world are often plainly dressed, and ... In the Fourth, a storm
arises on the lake, while He ... the fourth is for help in temptation, the fifth ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon vi the season of.htm

The Call of Abraham
... This grieves the hearts of those who know and love Jesus, and the question arises
with them, "What shall I do ... How often has this temptation happened to the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the call of abraham.htm

The Latest Improved.
... He has too often obeyed the human desire and disobeyed God ... He may withhold temptation
for a long time in order that ... But the question arises, "How can we keep up ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/the latest improved.htm

On Communion in the Lord's Supper.
... or memorial of him; so that, as often as we ... has it to guard us against every temptation,
to those ... I trust thou knowest that my present delay arises only from ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xviii on communion in.htm

The Unknown Giver and the Misused Gifts
... With some it arises from natural ignorance. ... fail to recognize and acknowledge God's
goodness, THIS IGNORANCE OFTEN LEADS TO ... This is a temptation that besets all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/the unknown giver and the.htm

The Touchstone of Godly Sincerity
... The hypocrite is very often an exceedingly neat imitation of ... safely inferred that
the breath of prayer arises from the ... Pray that ye enter not into temptation. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the touchstone of godly sincerity.htm

The Beginning, Increase, and End of the Divine Life
... Another doubt also arises from this point. ... all; it is rue, as thou sayest, the
temptation will be ... O my poor heart, oft cowed and broken, often disappointed and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/the beginning increase and end.htm