False Prosperity Gospel
Health & Wealth Gospel
BY MARTHA MAC / SO4J.com / SO4J-TV
False Prosperity Gospel – takes a look at the False Prosperity Gospel of the Health & Wealth, Word of Faith Movement, which is deceiving Millions (Gal 1:6-7, 2 Tim 4:3-4). It is promoting a Positive Message that “Tickles Peoples Ears” and in many cases is falsely proclaiming in various ways that “God Has a Wonderful Plan For Your Life” RIGHT NOW.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For a Time is coming when people will no longer listen to Sound and Wholesome Teaching. They will follow their Own Desires and will look for Teachers who will tell them whatever their ITCHING EARS want to Hear. They will Reject the Truth and Chase after Myths.”
NOTE: SO4J-TV is NOT saying that God can’t Sovereignly allow someone to succeed Financially, but once a person becomes Financially Successful we need to be willing to give up Everything for Jesus. (Luke 14:33, Luke 18:18-30, Matt 19:16-22,23-30, Mark 10:17-25, Acts 4:32-37, Luke 16:13, Matt 6:19-21, 1 John 2:15-17)
1 – False Prosperity Gospel – Intro
Photo: Would Noah ever have Preached the Message being promoted to Millions today that says “God has a Wonderful Plan For Your Life Right Now “…and then destruction happens? No.
The Focus of this SO4J Bible Study is to show the Reader some of the many Fallacies behind the Popular Prosperity Gospel being Promoted by many False Teachers in: Books, TV, DVD, Internet, etc today. This False Gospel is misleading & deceiving Millions, and it promotes a Half Truth which produces False Converts who are merely focused on this Life, and not in Obeying the Gospel.
Many are Following a Gospel that Pretends to be the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but is Not. It is merely Teaching that is Focused on this Life.
- Galatians 1:6-7 “I am shocked that you are Turning Away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that PRETENDS TO BE THE GOOD NEWS but is NOT THE GOOD NEWS AT ALL. You are being FOOLED by those who DELIBERATELY TWIST THE TRUTH CONCERNING CHRIST.”
- Philippians 3:18-19 “For I have told you often before, and I say it again with Tears in my eyes, that there are MANY whose conduct shows they are really Enemies of the Cross of Christ. They are headed for DESTRUCTION. Their god is their Appetite, they Brag about shameful things, and they THINK ONLY ABOUT THIS LIFE HERE ON EARTH.”
2 – False Prosperity Gospel “Tickles People’s Ears”
VIDEO: FALSE TEACHERS EXPOSED: Word Of Faith / Prosperity Gospel – Justin Peters / SO4J-TV
The Message of the Modern False Prosperity Gospel, and many Word of Faith Health & Wealth Preachers are Messages that are merely focused on this Life. Teachings are on: How to Be Happy, Prosperous, Solve their Stress in Life Problems, How to Have a Better Life Now, etc. They Preach & Teach a different gospel that “Tickles people’s ears”, and tells people only what they WANT to Hear vs what they NEED to Hear. This False Teaching produces False Converts.
- 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For a Time is coming when people will NO LONGER LISTEN TO SOUND and WHOLESOME TEACHING. They will Follow their Own Desires and will LOOK FOR TEACHERS who will tell them whatever their ITCHING EARS want to Hear. They will REJECT THE TRUTH and CHASE AFTER MYTHS. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be AFRAID OF SUFFERING FOR THE LORD. WORK at TELLING OTHERS the GOOD NEWS…”
These False Converts do not endure until the End (Matt 24:13), they fall away from the Lord when Tested with the Testings & Trials of this Life. Why? Many of them have been Falsely Promised that once they come to Jesus that God has a Wonderful Plan for Their Life—RIGHT NOW! Many of them are more rooted in False Teaching, than they are in God’s Word. False Teacher Joel Osteen’s Books are called: “Your Best Life Now”, and “Become a Better You” What? This is NOT Biblical at all, and it is Not what Jesus taught us. Here is what Jesus & God’s Word says:
- Luke 9:23-26 Jesus says, “If anyone wishes to Come after Me (be Saved), he must DENY SELF (yourself), and take up his CROSS DAILY and FOLLOW ME. For whoever wishes to SAVE HIS LIFE will LOSE IT, but whoever LOSES HIS LIFE for My sake, he is the one who will SAVE IT. For what is a man Profited if he GAINS THE WHOLE WORLD (EARTHLY RICHES), and LOSES OR FORFEITS HIMSELF (his soul)? For whoever is Ashamed of Me and My Words, the Son of Man will be Ashamed of him when He comes in His Glory, and the Glory of the Father and of the Holy Angels.”
- 1 John 2:15-17 “DO NOT LOVE THIS WORLD nor the things it offers you, for when you Love the World, you do Not have the Love of the Father in you. For the World offers only a craving for Physical Pleasure, a Craving for everything we See, and Pride in our Achievements and Possessions. These are Not from the Father, but are from This World. And this World is Fading Away, along with Everything that people Crave. But anyone who does what Pleases God will live Forever.”
3 – Would John The Baptist Preach: How To Have Your Best Life Now & Success in Life?
Photo: Can you Imagine John the Baptist Teaching “10 Ways To Have Your Best Life Now” “20 Ways To Sow Your Seed & Get Rich”, “How to Have Purpose & Vision For Your Life” ? This is Heresy.
Let’s take a look now at some of the Lukewarm Fuzzy Gospel Preaching that is done today.
First of all, can you imagine hearing John the Baptist, Peter, or Paul Preaching Sermons like: “Discover Your Self-Confidence”, or “Let’s Feel Good About Ourselves: God’s Way to the Good Life”, or how about: “Self-Love: the Dynamic Force of Success…?” and “Self-Esteem: The New Reformation” These are the actual Book Titles of “Christian” Author Robert Schuller!
Jesus NEVER preached such HERESY! This is all Contrary to God’s Word. Much of the Word of Faith Prosperity gospel & Movement Preaches a HALF-HEARTED LUKEWARM & FUZZY “gospel” that “tickles people’s ears” (2 Tim 4:3-5). Their Teaching merely makes people FEEL GOOD about themselves— Temporarily— for this Life.
Many Preach the SELF-ESTEEM “gospel” (like Joel Osteen, Robert Schuller, and many others). Their Heretical Preaching (a departure from the Core Beliefs & Teachings in the Word of God) is never too Convicting, because it’s usually TALK that builds up a: Church, a Person, or an Organization and/or Ministry, and NOT a Message of which Jesus Preached about (John 16:8-11); and what God’s Word Exhorts and Warns us about which is: Repentance (Acts 17:30-31), Sin, God’s Righteousness, Holiness, Coming Judgment, Obeying Jesus & God’s Word— or a warning of Eternal Hell (which is all over God’s Word). It is very MAN Centered, and Not God Centered.
- John 16:8-9 Jesus says,”When He (the Holy Spirit) comes, He will CONVICT THE WORLD OF IT’S SIN, and of GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS, and of the COMING JUDGMENT. The World’s Sin is that it refuses to believe in Me.”
John the Baptist Was Not Financially Successful – He Was Also Beheaded For Christ
- Matthew 3:4 “John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate Locusts and Wild Honey.”
John the Baptist was Thrown in Prison, Persecuted, & Beheaded for Christ
- Mark 6:27 “So he immediately sent an executioner to the Prison to CUT OFF JOHN’S HEAD and bring it to him. The soldier BEHEADED JOHN in the Prison.”
4 – Would Noah Ever Have Preached— “God Has a Wonderful Plan For Your Life?” No.
Would Noah ever have Preached a Positive Message like this: “God has a Wonderful Plan For Your Life”…and then destruction happens? No Way! God sent the Flood in Righteous Noah’s Day (2 Peter 2:5-10), and Jesus is Coming back to Judge the World in Righteousness (2 Thess 1:7-9, Acts 17:30-31). In the Future there will be the Greatest Time of Persecution EVER during the Great Tribulation (Matt 24:21, Rev 7:14).
- Hebrews 11:7 “It was by Faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. HE OBEYED GOD, who WARNED him about things that had never happened before. By his Faith NOAH CONDEMNED THE REST OF THE WORLD, and he received the Righteousness that comes by Faith.”
- 2 Peter 2:5-10 “And God did Not spare the Ancient world—except for Noah and the seven others in his family. NOAH WARNED THE WORLD OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood. Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a Righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. Yes, Lot was a Righteous man who was Tormented in his Soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue Godly people from their Trials, even while keeping the Wicked under Punishment until the day of Final Judgment. He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority. These people are Proud and Arrogant, daring even to scoff at supernatural beings without so much as trembling.”
- 1 Peter 1:3:20 “Those who DISOBEYED GOD God long ago when God waited Patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only EIGHT PEOPLE WERE SAVED from drowning in that Terrible Flood.”
- Genesis 6:9 “This is the account of Noah and his family. NOAH WAS A RIGHTEOUS MAN, the ONLY BLAMELESS PERSON LIVING ON EARTH at the time, and he walked in CLOSE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.”
5 – Like Noah, We Should Be Warning the World to Turn From Sin— Jesus is Coming!
All Christian Pastors, Preachers, & Teachers ought instead be like Righteous Noah and Warn the World & their Flock to: “Turn from their Sin & Believe the Gospel!” (Acts 20:21, John 14:15) If they don’t Preach the Truth in God’s Word, Many will Perish…Forever!
- John 16:8-9 Jesus says,”When He (the Holy Spirit) comes, He will CONVICT THE WORLD OF IT’S SIN, and of GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS, and of the COMING JUDGMENT. The World’s Sin is that it refuses to believe in Me.”
- Romans 2:5-8 “But because you are Stubborn and refuse to Turn from your Sin, you are storing up Terrible Punishment (WRATH) for yourself. For a Day of Anger (WRATH) is coming, when God’s Righteous Judgment will be revealed. He will Judge everyone according to what they have Done. He will give Eternal Life to those who keep on doing Good, seeking after the Glory and Honor and Immortality that God offers. But He will pour out His Anger and Wrath on those who live for themselves, who Refuse to Obey the Truth and instead live lives of Wickedness.”
- Acts 17:30-31 “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he Commands Everyone Everywhere to Repent of their Sins and Turn to Him. For he has set a Day for Judging the World with Justice by the Man He has Appointed, and He proved to everyone who this is by raising Him from the Dead.”
God’s Love for us made a way of Escape from God’s Eternal Wrath for our Sin thru Jesus Christ. If you are a True Believer in Jesus we are to go into all the World and Preach this Good News, because God uses the Foolishness of Preaching God’s Word to Save people from His Wrath & Punishment against Sin
- 1 Corinthians 1:18,21 “The Message of the Cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God… Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.”
- Mark 16:15 Jesus says, “Go into all the World and Preach the Good News to everyone.”
6 – Peter & Paul Never Taught: “God has a Wonderful Plan For Your Life Right Now”
Some the Fallacies behind the Health & Wealth Gospel or Your Best Life Now thinking, is that they do not talk about the Fact that the Apostle Paul (who God had used to write 12-13 Books in the New Testament) talks about the MANY times he was Beaten & Suffered for Christ (2 Cor 11:23-30, 2 Cor 6:4-10). Jesus, Peter, Paul Never taught things like: “God has a Wonderful Plan For Your Life.” Nor were they financially wealthy.
Jesus was Crucified, Peter, & Paul, and others were Thrown into Prison for the True Gospel, Tortured, Murdered for their Faith in God & His Word, etc.
One thing a True Believer is Promised by Jesus is Many Trials, Tribulations, Persecutions for His Name sake, RIGHT NOW.
- John 16:33 “In the World you will have TRIBULATION (Trials and Sorrows); but be of Good Cheer, I have overcome the World.”
- 2 Timothy 3:12 “Everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will SUFFER PERSECUTION”
(Jesus talked about how we will be Tested with Trials in the Parable of the Sower: Matt 13:3-23, Mark 4:3-20, Luke 8:5-15).
Here is the Apostle Paul’s Life.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23-30 “Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in PRISON more often, been WHIPPED times without number, and faced DEATH again and again. FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES the Jewish leaders gave me THIRTY-NINE LASHES. THREE TIMES I was BEATEN WITH RODS. Once I was STONED. THREE TIMES I was SHIPWRECKED. Once I spent a WHOLE NIGHT AND A DAY ADRIFT AT SEA. I have traveled on many LONG JOURNEYS. I have FACED DANGER FROM RIVERS AND FROM ROBBERS. I have FACED DANGER FROM MY OWN PEOPLE, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have FACED DANGER IN THE CITIES, IN THE DESERTS, AND ON THE SEAS. And I have FACED DANGER from men who CLAIM to be BELIEVERS BUT ARE NOT.I have worked HARD AND LONG, enduring MANY SLEEPLESS NIGHTS. I have been HUNGRY and THIRSTY and have OFTEN GONE WITHOUT FOOD. I have SHIVERED IN THE COLD, without enough clothing to keep me warm. Then, besides all this, I have the DAILY BURDEN OF MY CONCERN FOR ALL THE CHURCHES. Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger? If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.”
- 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 “In everything we do, we show that we are True Ministers of God. We Patiently ENDURE TROUBLES AND HARDSHIPS AND CALAMITIES OF EVERY KIND. We have been BEATEN, been put in PRISON, faced ANGRY MOBS, WORKED TO EXHAUSTION,ENDURED SLEEPLESS NIGHTS, and GONE WITHOUT FOOD. We prove ourselves by our Purity, our Understanding, our Patience, our Kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We Faithfully Preach the Truth. God’s power is Working in us. We use the Weapons of Righteousness in the Right hand for Attack and the left hand for Defense. We serve God whether people HONOR US OR DESPISE US, whether they SLANDER US OR PRAISE US. We are HONEST,but they call us IMPOSTERS. We are IGNORED, even though we are WELL KNOWN. We live CLOSE TO DEATH, but we are still alive. We have been BEATEN, but we have NOT BEEN KILLED. Our HEARTS ACHE, but we always have JOY. We are POOR, but we give SPIRITUAL RICHES TO OTHERS. We OWN NOTHING, and yet we have EVERYTHING (Eternal Life..).”
Paul & Silas were Beaten and Thrown into Prison
In this below story about Paul & Silas, God used what seemed like a Bad situation of Jail Time, and He Turned the situation around for His Eternal Glory— as the Jailer & his whole family got Saved. They Put their Faith in Jesus. Had Paul not Suffered in Prison, the Jailer & his Family most likely wouldn’t never have been Saved.
- Acts 16:22-26 “A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them STRIPPED and BEATEN with WOODEN RODS. They were SEVERELY BEATEN, and then they were THROWN INTO PRISON. The Jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t Escape. So the Jailer put them into the Inner Dungeon and Clamped their Feet in the Stocks. Around Midnight Paul & Silas were Praying & Singing Hymns to God, and the other Prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive Earthquake, and the Prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!” The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the Prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they SHARED THE WORD OF THE LORD WITH HIM and with ALL WHO LIVED IN HIS HOUSEHOLD. Even at that Hour of the night, the Jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household Rejoiced because they all Believed in God.”
8 – Peter Was Not Wealthy – He Was Thrown in Prison & Later Crucified Upside Down
Peter Was Never Wealthy – He was a Fisherman & A Faithful Preacher of the Gospel.
Peter, Andrew, James & John were Fisherman when Jesus said “Follow Me” (Matt 4:18-22).
And after Jesus Arose from the Dead, they were still Fishing (John 21:3-14).
Peter is Thrown in Prison
- Acts 12:3-11 “When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.) Then he IMPRISONED HIM him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each.”
The Lord later shows his mighty power by God sending an Angel to let Peter go free. God used these Persecutions, and Sufferings for His Eternal Purposes & Glory, to Strip His Church of Self, and to help Spread the Gospel, and for many other reasons. See Why Does God Allow Suffering, Trials, Tests.
We will talk about this below in this Bible Study on the Fallacies of the Prosperity Gospel.
- Philippians 1:12-14 Paul says, “I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that Everything that has happened to me here has HELPED TO SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in CHAINS BECAUSE OF CHRIST. And because of my Imprisonment, Most of the Believers here have Gained Confidence and Boldly Speak God’s Message without Fear.”
7 – We Are Instead To Deny Self, Take Up Our Cross Daily & Follow Jesus – Luke 9:23
- Luke 9:23-26 Jesus says, “If anyone wishes to Come after Me (be Saved), he must DENY SELF (yourself), and take up his CROSS DAILY and FOLLOW ME. For whoever wishes to SAVE HIS LIFE will LOSE IT, but whoever LOSES HIS LIFE for My sake, he is the one who will SAVE IT. For what is a man Profited if he GAINS THE WHOLE WORLD (EARTHLY RICHES), and LOSES OR FORFEITS HIMSELF (his soul)? For whoever is Ashamed of Me and My Words, the Son of Man will be Ashamed of him when He comes in His Glory, and the Glory of the Father and of the Holy Angels.”
- Matthew 10:38 Jesus says, “If you REFUSE to TAKE UP YOUR CROSS, and FOLLOW ME, you are NOT Worthy of being Mine.”
- Matthew 16:24 Jesus said to His disciples, “If any of you wants to be My Follower, you must TURN FROM YOUR SELFISH WAYS, TAKE UP YOUR CROSS, and FOLLOW ME.”
- Mark 8:34 Jesus says,“If any of you wants to be My Follower, you must TURN FROM YOUR SELFISH WAYS, TAKE UP YOUR CROSS, and FOLLOW ME.”
- Luke 14:33 Jesus says, “So you cannot become My Disciple without giving up EVERYTHING you own.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:15 “He (Jesus) died for everyone so that those who receive His New Life WILL NO LONGER LIVE FOR THEMSELVES. Instead, they will LIVE FOR CHRIST, who died and was raised for them.”
- Galatians 2:20 ” My Old Self has been CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
8 – We Are To Be Content Whether We Have Plenty or Not – Heb 13:5
- Hebrews 13:5 “Don’t love Money; be CONTENT (satisfied) with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
- 1 Timothy 6:8-10 “So if we have enough Food and Clothing, let us be CONTENT. But people who LONG TO BE RICH FALL INTO TEMPTATION and are Trapped by many Foolish and Harmful desires that Plunge them into Ruin and Destruction. For the LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL KINDS OF EVIL. And some people, CRAVING MONEY, have wandered from the TRUE FAITH & Pierced themselves with many Sorrows.”
- Philippians 4:11-13 “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be CONTENT with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost NOTHING or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:10 (NASB) “Therefore I am well CONTENT with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
9 – We Are NOT to Store Up Treasures on This Earth – Matt 6:19-21
- Matt 6:19-21 “DON’T STORE UP TREASURES HERE ON EARTH, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. STORE YOUR TREASURES IN HEAVEN, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
- Luke 12:22-32 Jesus said to His Disciples, “That is why I tell you NOT WORRY ABOUT EVERYDAY LIFE—whether you have enough FOOD TO EAT OR ENOUGH CLOTHES TO WEAR. For life is more than Food, and your body more than Clothing. Look at the Ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for GOD FEEDS THEM. And you are far more Valuable to Him than any birds! Can all your Worries add a single moment to your Life? And if Worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so LITTLE FAITH? And DON’T BE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT TO EAT AND WHAT TO DRINK. DON’T WORRY ABOUT SUCH THINGS. THESE THINGS DOMINATE THE THOUGHTS OF UNBELIEVERS ALL OVER THE WORLD, but your Father already knows your needs. SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD ABOVE ALL ELSE, and He will give you everything you NEED. “So don’t be Afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father Great happiness to give you the Kingdom.”
- Matthew 6:24-34 “NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. YOU CANNOT SERVE BOTH GOD AND MONEY. “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So DON’T WORRY ABOUT THESE THINGS, saying, ‘What will we EAT? What will we DRINK? What will we WEAR?’ These THINGS DOMINATE THE THOUGHTS OF UNBELIEVERS, but your heavenly Father already KNOWS ALL YOUR NEEDS. SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED TO YOU(NKJV). So don’t WORRY about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
- Acts 4:32-37 “And the Multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he Possessed was his own; but they had ALL THINGS COMMON. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and Great Grace was upon them all. NEITHER WAS THERE ANY among them THAT LACKED: for as many as were POSSESSORS OF LANDS OR HOUSES SOLD THEM, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, SOLD IT, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
10 – We Are Not To Be Greedy or Love Money – Luke 12:15
- Luke 12:15 Jesus said, “Beware! Guard against EVERY kind of GREED. Life is not measured by how much you OWN.”
- 1 Timothy 3:1-5 “He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and NOT love MONEY.”
- Ephesians 5:5 “You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or GREEDY PERSON will Inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a GREEDY PERSON is an Idolater, Worshiping the things of this World.”
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “Don’t you realize that those who do Wrong will NOT Inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t FOOL yourselves. Those who indulge in Sexual Sin, or who Worship Idols, or Commit Adultery, or are Male Prostitutes, or Practice Homosexuality, or are Thieves, or GREEDY PEOPLE, or Drunkards, or are Abusive, or Cheat People—NONE OF THESE will Inherit the Kingdom of God.”
- 1 Timothy 6:10 “For the LOVE OF MONEY is the ROOT of all kinds of EVIL. And some people, CRAVING MONEY, have wandered from the TRUE FAITH and pierced themselves with many Sorrows.”
11 – We Share in Christ’s Sufferings When We Decide To Stop Sinning – 1 Peter 4:1
Right now we might not Suffer for Christ like they did in Paul’s day, but we share in the “Sufferings of Christ” when we decide to STOP SINNING, and “Put the Flesh Under.”
- 1 Peter 4:1 “So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to Suffer, too. For if you are WILLING TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST, you have DECIDED TO STOP SINNING.”
We are to Obey God’s Word out of a Love for Jesus.
- John 14:15 “If you love Me, Obey My Commandments.”
- John 14:21 “Those who Accept My Commandments and Obey them are the ones who Love Me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”
- John 14:23-24 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.”
12 – To Be Carnally or Worldly Minded is Death – Rom 8:6
Remember, Rom 8:6 (KJV) says “For to be Carnally (Worldly) Minded is Death”
- Romans 8:5-8 “Those who are DOMINATED by the SINFUL NATURE think about SINFUL THINGS, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your SINFUL NATURE CONTROL YOUR MIND LEADS TO DEATH. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.”
- 1 Peter 2:11 “Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from WORLDLY (Fleshly) DESIRES that WAGE WAR against your very souls.”
13 – Compare the False Teachings of these Prosperity Preachers with God’s Word
Some of us here at SO4J-TV & Video were once involved in the False Teachings of the Word of Faith Movement so we understand this first hand. We must Search the Scriptures Daily, and compare the Teachings of these Word of Faith Prosperity Preachers with the Word of God.
- Acts 20:29-30 “I know that False Teachers, like Vicious Wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not Sparing the Flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and Distort the Truth in order to draw a following.”
As we know the False Prosperity Gospel Ministers Twist the Scriptures. Jesus warned us that there will be MANY False Teachers & False Prophets right before He Returns. Do not not be deceived, or underestimate Satan’s ability to Deceive you and keep you from the Narrow Gate & Path.
Matt 24:11 Jesus says, “MANY FALSE PROPHETS will Appear and will Deceive MANY people.”
- Acts 17:11 “The people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the Truth.”
For More Info on Trials & Sufferings go to: Why Does God Allow Suffering & Trials? OR Why Does God Allow Evil? OR go to: Why Does God Test Us? Go Here For Info on End Time Events
Info on False Teachers & False Prophets go here:
False Teachers & False Prophets – Videos, Articles, Audios
Extra
Romans 16:17-18 “MARK THEM which cause DIVISIONS & OFFENCES CONTRARY TO THE DOCTRINE which you have learned; and AVOID them. STAY AWAY from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own Personal Interests. By SMOOTH TALK and GLOWING WORDS THEY DECEIVE INNOCENT PEOPLE.”
- 2 Peter 2:3 “In their GREED they will make up clever lies to get HOLD OF YOUR MONEY. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.”
Many are also told that Jesus said that He came to give us “Life and Life more Abundantly”… in our Finances…but Jesus was actually referring to Eternal Life when talking about the Abundant Life.
- John 10:10 (NASB) Jesus says, “I came that they may have Life (Eternal Life), and have it more Aundantly.”
If our life IS Abundant right now it is only because of Jesus, and His Holy Spirit living in us, who can give us an Abundant supply of His Peace & Joy no matter what Trial or Test we go through.
Here is a Statement that I came up with—
“If What You Say, Think, or Do is Contrary To The Word of God, You Are Being Deceived!”sm
Remember… Revelation 12:9 “Satan deceives the WHOLE WORLD.”
“FALSE PROSPERITY GOSPEL”
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