What Is Wrong With Seeking Financial Prosperity?

Philippians 4 (KJV)

 11 Not that I speak in respect (favor) of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased (humble) , and I know how to abound (flourish): every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound (flourish) and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.




Proverbs 30 (KJV)

8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.




Proverbs 23 (KJV)

4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.




1 Timothy 6 (KJV)

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment (clothes) let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition (eternal punishment).

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted (craved) after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.





17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Be Content (Food and Clothes are all that is needed) ~ Karmen




1 Timothy 3 (KJV)

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre (money, esp. when regarded as sordid or distasteful or gained in a dishonorable way)




Titus 2 (KJV)

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;




Titus 1 (KJV)

10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision (clean heart, those with God's grace, baptized anew):
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert (overturn) whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's (money, esp. when regarded as sordid or distasteful or gained in a dishonorable way) sake.





Balaam

Balaam  figures as an example of a false teacher in both 2 Peter 2:15 (15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;)  and in Jude 1:11 (Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.).  In both of these verses, Balaam is cited as an example of a false prophet motivated by greed or avarice (extreme greed for wealth or material gain.). These references harken to the Old Testament account of Balaam in Numbers 22–24 in which King Balak hires the renowned Balaam to curse his enemies (Israel). Even though God intervenes and makes Balaam deliver blessings instead of curses, it's clear that Balaam was normally a prophet for hire. The verses in 2 Peter and Jude are then warnings to the early Christians to beware of religious leaders who are enjoying financial advantages.