Biblical Quote by Steve Camp
“First Corinthians so clearly says that whether we eat or drink, do it all to the glory of God. It's not just self. Jesus said ... in Matthew 16, 'Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Me.' The Osteens have just inverted that. They think it's not the denial of self, but the exaltation of self. They're not trying to pursue a cross; they're trying to pursue prosperity. And they're certainly not following the biblical Jesus. They're following whatever brings happiness and contentment.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: Evangelical Critique, 1990s (unspecified)
The passage contrasts biblical self‑denial with modern self‑exaltation, warning that pursuing prosperity over sacrifice deviates from true discipleship.
In simple terms: Self‑denial vs. self‑praise in faith.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize spiritual obedience.
Themes
faith
self‑denial
prosperity
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
theological
ethical
When to use this quote
- church leadership
- personal devotion
- ethical decision‑making
- prosperity gospel
Key Concepts
theology
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines true sacrifice?
- How to discern genuine spiritual motives?
A Different Perspective
Prosperity focus can be misinterpreted as faith.
![“Everything [Jesus] taught and did was a summons to the humility and love that purge self-exaltation out of leadership and servility out of submission.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fdf/anonymous-1_christianity_everything-jesus-taught-and-did-was-a-su_2403895.jpg)
![“The fall [of your soul] from perfection into duality...was naturally followed by the discovery of the duality of good and evil...This is the Biblical version of a myth known to many lands.” quote by Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9ff/joseph-campbell-300_biblical_the-fall-of-your-soul-from-perfection-in_22526.jpg)
![“[John Calvin's] treatment of the person and work of Christ, of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, of prayer and liturgy, of the sacraments, and of the way in which we have an in-built sense of the divine that we suppress to our great sorrow - these are all immense contributions to…” quote by Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4ef/oliver-d-crisp-12863_believer_john-calvin-s-treatment-of-the-person-an_62415.jpg)
