God and the RecessionHow will Prosperity Gospel ride out the hard economic times?

Ever notice that the people who preach the prosperity gospel are always wealthier than the people they are preaching to?

-- Greatbear452
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"Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."

For historical context, one of the self-designations of the Essenes was ha'Ebionim, the Poor, and part of the initiation into their community was to give all personal property to the Community. This may also be the context for the people who held back property from Cephus and were "struck dead," a term used for exile from the Community.

Jesus sent mixed signals on this, on the one hand the quote from Mark, on the other that he had wealthy patrons who supported his ministry and provided the venue for the Last Supper. Seeing "the poor" as "the Poor" clarifies his message and places him firmly in the Third Path along with the Baptist and the Rechabites and Nazirites.

-- tsedek
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