Note 15 at 1 Tim. 6:8: This is not a teaching on prosperity as some would like to make it. It is a teaching on contentment. Paul is saying that we should be content with just the bare necessities. Paul is not saying that God only wants us to have the bare necessities.

If this passage were to be interpreted in the narrowest sense as some try to interpret it, and applied to prosperity, then having a roof over our heads, a mate and children, jobs, and being a productive members of society, are not things the Lord wants us to have. Of course that is not what Paul is saying. He is simply saying that anyone who has food and clothes can and should be content. As you walk with the Lord in faith, the Lord will bless you with these other things (Mt. 6:33). Those who walk with the Lord in faith concerning prosperity will have more than just enough money for food and clothes.

This is not the Lord saying that we should only have food and clothes. Rather, He is saying that we should be content if all we have is food and clothes.

This leads to the number one reason why people argue against prosperity: They think it is selfish and in direct opposition to what Paul teaches. However, this is a misunderstanding of the real purpose of prosperity. Prosperity, as presented in the Bible, is not for ourselves. It is so we can be a blessing to others (see note 9 at 2 Cor. 9:8, p. 1026). Therefore, it has nothing to do with our contentment and does not violate these scriptures.

Those who say "I have enough and don't want any more prosperity" are the ones who are selfish. They are only using money for their own needs. A truly loving person will seek to prosper beyond their own needs so he can be a blessing to others.