Go with me please in the scriptures to the book of third John.

If you don't know where that is, just go to the back and start backing up.

Third John and the second verse, third John 2, anybody got this one marked?

We began a new series a couple weeks ago, and this is one of our main text.

He said, Beloved, I wish, that's also translated pray or desire, above all things that you may prosper and be in health,

even as your soul prospers.

There is, has been for, I don't know how long, well I do too since the book of Genesis.

There has been controversy and even hate and all manner of sin over this thing called prosperity and abundance.

And many have become convinced through the ideas of men and teaching and preaching of wrong doctrine

that God is opposed to any degree of wealth or prosperity with his people

that it is an evil to be avoided and that if you really are serious about

being a Christian and serving God you will divest yourself of money and things

and maybe even take a vow of poverty.

Now, this kind of thing is widely believed by many church-going people, but is it true?

What's it based on?

What scripture is it based on? You got two

sources for belief. What men think? What God said. And we need to examine our beliefs.

I know the first year that I was in Bible school and was hearing such

good things and receiving so much input. The Lord challenged me. I'd only been there a month

or two. The Lord challenged me. I don't mean to heard a voice, but inside me very distinctly.

Keith examine everything you believe. find it in the scriptures.

And I realized that this is something, this is an assignment the Lord's given me. This is

...