Prosperity Teachings, Part 3

Shawn McCraney emphasizes the intersection of Biblical Christianity and American Evangelicalism and stresses the importance of faith based on evidence rather than feelings. He encourages believers to trust in the promises of scripture—that confessing with your mouth and believing in your heart assures salvation—while recognizing that faith involves waiting on guidance and fulfillment at the right time.

Walking by faith involves trusting that God will fulfill His promises and continuing to engage with His word for spiritual guidance, as taught in 1 John 5:13 which assures believers of their eternal life. In contrast, Mormon teachings suggest salvation certainty for select individuals through the "calling and election made sure" based on righteousness, whereas, in Christianity, salvation is recognized through faith despite personal unworthiness, distinct from prosperity teachings which inaccurately link blessings with financial tithing.

The teaching emphasizes that the Kingdom of Heaven is characterized by spiritual gifts and responsibilities rather than material wealth, urging followers to seek abundance through spiritual blessings and a life of faith, love, and peace. Additionally, it explains that biblical passages often misunderstood as endorsements of prosperity should be interpreted holistically, viewing the promises of "riches" as manifestations of spiritual glory rather than material gain, and asserting that true faith involves trusting in God's guidance through the Holy Spirit rather than literal interpretations of moving mountains.

Shawn teaches that while believers should pray with faith and confidence, they must understand that the spiritual gift of miracles and prosperity come according to God's will, not as guarantees promised to all. He critiques prosperity gospel teachings, emphasizing that scriptural references like 3 John 2, which are often misinterpreted, should be understood in context and that practices such as insisting on tithing as a mandatory Christian requirement contradict the freedom in Christ from religious legalism.

Tithing is not mandated for Christians according to the New Testament, as it emphasizes freewill giving based on one's ability and willingness rather than a fixed percentage. Tithing examples such as Abraham's gift to Melchizedek illustrate voluntary offerings and are not binding commands for Christians, aligning with the New Testament's focus on grace and personal conviction in giving.

Abraham's choice to offer a tenth of his spoils to Melchizedek serves as a model of free will giving rather than a mandatory tithe, allowing believers to decide their own contributions as guided by their faith. Similarly, the story of the widow's mite in the Gospels is not about the necessity of giving beyond one's means, but rather it illustrates the exploitation by religious leaders and emphasizes that giving should aim to support the vulnerable, such as widows and the poor, without invoking guilt or obligation.

In this teaching, Shawn emphasizes that giving to the church should not be tied to feelings of guilt, obligation, or a measure of spirituality and highlights the freedom believers have in Christ to give according to their own desires. The illustration of the widow's mite is used to criticize the misconception that the amount of one's giving indicates their love for God or their salvation, and he argues that tithing is not a mandate of the New Covenant.

Shawn's teaching delves into the conflict between following traditional religious doctrines and embracing the teachings of Biblical Christianity. His focus is on helping individuals transition from Mormonism to a more Biblically centered faith by critically examining Mormon doctrines against Biblical truths, highlighting the importance of authentic Christian fellowship and exploring the freedom in Christ while questioning the incorporation of pagan traditions in Christian practices.