Lies Religious Tradition Taught Us: God is in control

 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:5 KJV 

13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Mark 7:13 NKJV

 We've been in an ongoing study of the lies religious tradition has taught us. Ideas and concepts taught in such a way that they make it seem almost blasphemous to dare even question them. Views about God taught so long they've formed strongholds in the minds of so many believers.

 So far we've addressed many lies religious tradition has told us. Lies such as God is the author of sickness and disease, the sender of disaster, and the God who causes evil circumstances just so some good may come out of it. That God is pleased with our poverty and misery. That miracles have ceased and Faith is powerless and ineffective today. 

 In our last study, we saw that God's will is healing for all. As we were studying we touched on the topic of God being in control, that He is literally controlling all facets of our life. Today it seemed good to focus on this rampant lie being taught across many quarters of the Body of Christ. 

 Resistance, disagreement, or unacceptance of this theology that God is literally controlling all facets of life on Earth is met with strong hostility by the religious among us. They feel that to disagree is to take away from the sovereignty of God. That we are undermining the very nature of God.

 How could God be the Supreme, Almighty God if He isn't in control of all things? This is where the disconnect occurs. Some define sovereignty as controlling all things. That is not the definition of sovereignty. 

 The word sovereignty isn't even in God's Word. Yet the concept is there found within. Sovereignty defined means, the supreme ruler. It means self-governance. It doesn't mean that it controls all things. Allow me to illustrate how God is self-governing.

 God reveals that by the laying on of hands sick people are healed, Mark 16 and seen throughout Jesus' ministry and that of the Apostles. Why did He say this? Why is it so? Because the self-governing One declared it so. He didn't seek out a committee for approval. 

 Why is it by simply speaking God's Word that Faith is released? Because He decreed it. Romans 10 shows us this. I trust you're tracking with me. These are the aspects of self-governance. This is sovereignty in action. This is not God controlling all circumstances in life.

 Let's look again at some passages and ask hard questions for the tradition-minded. 

4 who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4 NABRE
 God wills everyone to be saved. He wills it. Yet not all people are saved and have come to the knowledge of the truth. Many are still groping around in darkness seeking what they think is the truth. Yet God wills everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. 

 Look at this word wills in the Greek. From Thayer's dictionary;

θέλω  /  ἐθέλω

thelō  /  ethelō

Thayer Definition:

1) to will, have in mind, intend

1a) to be resolved or determined, to purpose

1b) to desire, to wish

1c) to love

1c1) to like to do a thing, be fond of doing

1d) to take delight in, have pleasure

God wills or intends is resolved, determined that all should be saved. Yet not all are saved. I thought God was in control? I thought God controls all aspects of life? I thought God's sovereignty means all He wills and desires must happen?

 Perhaps we have misconstrued His Word and misunderstood what sovereignty means. God wills or wants all to be saved yet He gave man the free will to accept this invitation to new life. 

God controls all things?

 I've seen those under tradition seem to think that if God is the one doing it that makes it ok and acceptable. That is if God is the one killing your child, or causing your child to be victimized by sexual abuse, or the one causing your terminal disease or ordaining that you become the victim of a violent crime it somehow should bring some form of comfort to you. That these horrific, traumatic, tragic circumstances are good and right and acceptable because God is in control. He is the author and ordainer of such events. Doesn't this make you rejoice?

 This is the work of the enemy to pervert the image of our Good Father. The enemy wants to reform and refashion an image of God in our thinking, where God is unfaithful to His Word. He fails to keep His promises. He willingly afflicts and is the bringer of pestilence, famine, disaster, tragedy, disease, and poverty. That His idea of goodness is the death of your children, the dissolution of your marriage and the bankruptcy of your business.  

 We must reject and resist with every fiber of our being these lies of the enemy. God gave man free will and the power of choice. We choose who to be influenced by. Either the Goodness and Love of our Father or the lies of the enemy, the flesh and the world system. 

Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. Psalm 78:41 NKJV

Look at this passage. Man, finite man, created man actually limited the sovereign Lord. How is this possible? In the New, it is made clearer. Through unbelief. 

 God is the supreme ruler, but He isn't controlling all aspects of life. God is a Good Father. God isn't causing men to commit unthinkable violent acts. God isn't causing men to commit sin. God isn't violating man's will. Love is not an invasion of the will.

 In summation, our God is Good. God isn't controlling all things. That is He isn't causing or creating every event on earth. Sovereignty doesn't negate a sinful fallen fractured creation. Sovereignty doesn't overlook the work of the enemy who comes to steal and kill and destroy. Sovereignty doesn't override the free will of man. There are things the self-governing One is in control of. That is what He decreed in His Word. Whatever He declared will come to pass, His Word is truth. 

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

Lies Religious Tradition Taught us: Poverty is a blessing

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.                 2 Timothy 3:5 KJV 

13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Mark 7:13 NKJV





 We've been in a new series studying the lies religious tradition has taught us. Ideas and concepts heard so often they've become strongholds in our thinking. Points taught in such a way that if anyone dares question it appears they are countering God Himself and therefore promoting heresy. 

 We've exposed the lies taught that God is the author of sickness and pain. That God sends disasters and storms. That all events, even death, and tragedy are somehow designed for our good. Today, it seemed good to dethrone another lie. The concept that poverty and lack are somehow pious, and a blessing for the Believer in Christ. 

 Before I continue, I must qualify where I am going in this study. For those who've followed this blog for a time they know I have in the past come against the "prosperity gospel". In all those posts I endeavored to explain the Biblical objection to what is taught in some circles. The issue isn't God desiring to bless His children. The issue was the performance and condemnation this teaching created. The idea if you lived basically perfectly you would be rich and never have a problem again. 

 With any Gospel truth, there can exist excess that can formulate into error if left uncorrected. Under Grace, some think that any act of service, or giving, or discipleship is somehow legalism and counters Grace. That is not the truth. Under Grace, we don't serve or give or grow in our walk, in order to gain God's favor or love or blessing. No, because of Christ we already have His love and favor and blessing, and because of this we freely give and serve and grow in Him.

 So it is with prosperity and blessing and the abundant life in Christ. God never promised all believers would be millionaires. Understanding this, we can still believe and receive His abundant blessing in all areas of our life. 

 With clarity given let's address this religious lie. Where the prosperity excess is that all will be millionaires and never have a problem, the religious lie is that God hates financial abundance and favors lack and poverty and wishes His family to abide in squalor. That somehow for some mysterious reason God desires His own to be poor and poverty-stricken.

 What is of interest to note that the religious leaders and those under their influence with a voice that rail against the "prosperity" message are very well off people who live in affluence. One such leader, who rails against Charismatic Christianity and Joel Osteen, has a net worth of $14 million! I guess he means to say prosperity for me and not for thee!

 Religious tradition exalts itself over others and tries to regulate what is "right and wrong" for believers today, (not speaking of what is clearly written in Scripture that counters our new identity; sin, unforgiveness, bitterness, walking out of love), that is what is acceptable or not. The power of God, the Gifts of the Spirit today, healing, prosperity, praying in tongues, all these are "bad" and "unacceptable" for today.  

 Religious leaders and their disciples with a platform like to pronounce how wrong and heretical any message of prosperity is. That the idea that God wants the best for His kids in all circumstances is somehow false teaching. Yet, they sit in affluence, well dressed, well off and their own children clothed, fed, and in comfort. In their distorted religious minds, they think it's good and right and just that God wants His own children to live in lack and squalor. In essence, they are really saying they are a more loving, more caring, more compassionate and giving parent than God Almighty. 

  Religious tradition distorts the Goodness of God. 
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 2

 This is God's will concerning blessings and healing. This is God's highest and best for all His family. This passage doesn't say there won't be any weapons formed against you, but we know no weapon formed will prosper against you. It isn't saying all will be millionaires. It just says God desires above all things after you're born again and Spirit-filled that you'd be prosperous and healed. 

 With so much controversy surrounding this passage, and the objections religious tradition fashions to explain it away there is an insight to help better understand this verse. The Word speaks so much of our inward man. What does Paul say in Colossians? 

 We are complete in Him. Paul also shares the prayer of Epaphras;
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12 NKJV

  A better understanding of 3 John 2 is found in Colossians. God declares we are complete in Christ. The heart cry is that we stand perfect and complete in all God's will. 3 John 2 echos this sentiment. What John is saying and declaring over us is that God desires us to be complete outwardly just as we are already complete inwardly.

 To be complete outwardly is God's will and best for all of us. If poverty is God's best then why is Heaven, the abode of God Almighty lavishly laden with the splendor of gold and pearl and sapphires and emeralds? Why is God sitting on such a majestic throne? Why is Jesus given praise this way in Heaven?

12 saying with a loud voice:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” Revelation 5:12 NKJV

Poverty, lack, sickness, and disease are not outward completeness but outward brokenness. God wants us whole. God desires we be complete outwardly just as we are inward.

 In summation, God is a Good Father, we never see Jesus making people poor and poverty-stricken. He provided for Peter's tax bill supernaturally. All those who were defrauded by Zacchaeus the tax collector had their losses restored. Jesus fed the five thousand. Provision is God's best. Don't accept the lie that poverty is good and prosperity is bad. God meets the needs of His family. 

image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

Putting a Demand on God's Provision of Blessings and Abundance

10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. John 10:10 AMP

19 And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 AMP 

 We've been in an extended study concerning God's provisions. We are seeing more and more how to receive them in our lives. We see the need to put a demand on what belongs to us. Again this is not demanding of God as some unruly petulant child selfishly throwing a tantrum until they get their way. This is putting a demand on a supply that is already yours. God graciously provided it for us.

 Today, it seemed good to address another provision we have in Christ. The provision of the blessing of God. If you've followed this blog I have already addressed the excess and error of the prosperity gospel. That is the, give and you'll be rich and if it didn't work then you're a sinner and God can't provide until you measure up, idea of prosperity and provision.

 One truth I have been shown in my Christian life is the reality of how finite humans always take things into two extremes. One side I just addressed, declares prosperity and provision is about luxury planes and mansions and everyone a millionaire. That is excess. That's not what God promised.

 Then, on the other hand, you have the other extreme. This extreme is just as, if not more, wrong as the other is. It's the idea that God can't bless you today. That all His provision is merely spiritual. This is the "can't help you, Jesus." This is the Jesus who can forgive you, make you righteous, eternally secure your salvation, but can't help you in this life, only in the life to come. His arm is not strong enough to provide, to heal, or to help you financially today. 

 Both of these extremes are wrong and deny the character of our Father. So apart from excess let's examine this provision of blessing. Let's see what God has done for us in the Finished Work. What Christ has purchased and procured for us in His perfect redemption.

Look at God's heart from the beginning. He had provisions in the Garden of Eden. He didn't put Adam into a place of poverty to keep him humble. He lavishly blessed Adam. He didn't make Adam starve, struggle, or scrimp to get by. 

 In the Old, we see God's heart for His servants, the people of Israel. He said He took pleasure in the Prosperity of His servants. Did you get that? He actually takes pleasure in, it brings Him joy, it pleases Him to bless. God is not a tyrant wanting His people to struggle.

 This same principle, this same truth, is found in the New. John declared above all else God wants us to prosper and be in health. This passage in 3 John, can be used to excess as I have mentioned, but look at what He is actually saying here. 

 God desires above all things our well being. Besides you receiving Jesus and being filled with the Spirit God wants you walking in wholeness, spirit, soul, and body. Are we not complete in Christ? Inwardly, He has made us Righteous, forgiven, cleansed, accepted, approved and eternally secure. God's perfect will is we be complete outwardly just as we are inwardly. 

 Well, if it's God's will why am I always broke or can't seem to afford much? Why am I in lack? What about those starving kids throughout the World? Great question. Why are there so many who are walking around not Righteous? That is a bona fide free Gift that has been made available to whosoever would just receive it. Why have so many not? 

 I don't mean to make light of lack and insufficiency. I just don't want to put it all off on God. As if it's God's fault we are not a success in life. Let's truly define what success is. Having a healthy marriage. A loving family. A caring family. Being the best you can be where you are employed. Being a light in this world. 

 Not everyone is going to be wealthy rich. We can though have enough provision for our family and enough left over to be a blessing to God's kingdom. What we must remember is operating in God's wisdom is key here. We need to be wise in our financial dealings. 

 Education or skills training. Advancing in your job. Being a wise spender. These are things we need to hear more about. God and the natural are not opposed to each other. What does this look like?

 It's depositing God's Word on provision in your heart. It's feeding continually on His Word. Faith comes this way. It's taking the time to acknowledge God in every area of your life. It's paying attention to God's hand moving in your life. Take a second glance. God is moving even if it's the little things. 

 An unexpected discount. An item goes on sale you need. Finding money in the pocket of old clothes. Seeing a coupon for something you need. Gifts from loved ones that came at just the right time. It's even getting an extension on a bill. 

 That's one thing, some people get into trouble because they don't communicate with their creditors. Being wise in financial dealings is success. Living within your means is successful living. God's hand is in this because He can lead us and guide us with His wisdom. This is also part of the provision of blessing.

 As far as the supernatural, yes God does provide financial miracles and such. I recall years ago I had some financial needs, and I just deposited God's Word within my heart about blessing, prosperity, and wholeness. I kept reading and meditating on these passages. I can't explain it but God met that need supernaturally. 

 What am I saying? You can pray to God about money. You can ask Him to help. You can also take authority over the wicked one. He attacks sometimes with infirmities and sickness, so he also attacks financially. Take authority over the enemy. Tell that defeated devil to cease and desist, "devil, take your hands off my finances! I bind you from attacking my money! I loose all God's provisions for me!"

 That's not crazy. It may sound it, but it's not. We as believers need to enforce satan's defeat. We need to lay claim to what is ours. 

 Another thing that is crucial in this area is our attitudes and our words. Constantly grumbling, expressing frustration is counterproductive. If we are in frustration we aren't in Faith. Why? Because Faith is resting in what Jesus did. If we are in frustration this is a sure sign we were trying to make things happen by our effort and strength. It proves we were trusting in the arm of the flesh, not God.

 Resist fear. Fear says God won't help you or can't help you. This need is bigger than God. You must cast those thoughts down. Trust His great love for you. 

 Now, what about those in lands that are in a famine and lack? What about those in third world nations? Sadly, we are in a fallen, fractured world. Evil men can rule over people. As a result, insufficiency and famine abound. We can pray for them. We who are blessed can help, by bringing relief to those in these lands. Supporting missions that feed and medical missions that bring healing, is vital. We don't receive a blessing just to keep for ourselves. We want to channel His blessings to others. We are blessed in Christ, and therefore should be a blessing to others. 

 In summation, put a demand on what's yours in Christ. Don't allow bad attitudes, grumbling, complaining be your words. Instead, focus on the provision. Don't look at what you don't currently have but look at what you do have. Be thankful and rejoice. Put a demand on His supply. Receive His favor in the financial realm. Don't limit what He can do. Jesus said He came to give us abundant life, not lack and insufficient life. So by Grace through Faith receive all He has provided for! 
Image by Александр Мартинкевич from Pixabay 

By Grace through Faith: Miracles in your mouth!

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 
Ephesians 2:8 NKJV

16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be by Grace Romans 4:16a KJV






We've been in a study of Faith. What Faith is and how to walk in Faith. We've seen what Faith is, what Faith is not and how Faith comes. So why study Faith? Why teach Faith? What's so important about Faith?

 The answer is found in God's Word. In four places God declares the Just (those made righteous) live by Faith. Paul declared that we walk by Faith. The author of Hebrews (who I believe was Paul) declares without Faith it is impossible to please God. Clearly, Faith is a big deal with our Good Father. 

 Why is it of such importance? Because as our text states, it is of Faith so that it may be by Grace. Faith is the level playing field. That is, all God has promised, provided, and procured for us is available to any and all believers. They only need to believe it and lay hold of it by Faith. This proves there are no special category believers. There isn't one who is more loved than others. It is by Faith so it might be by Grace.

 One might ask well I don't think I have the Faith to receive. Wrong, friend. If you've put your trust in Jesus you have His Faith inside you. To grow and develop this Faith, just feed on who Jesus is. That is to find Him in His Word and see all He's done for you. Whom He has made you. What He can do through you. Your Faith will grow more and more. 

 Another exciting truth of Faith is that of our words. Did you know words are one of the most powerful forces in the universe? Words can bring help, hope, and healing or they can bring hurt, hopelessness, and harm. 

 See what God says about the power of our words;

18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him And to his mourners. 19 “I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,” Says the Lord, “And I will heal him.” Isaiah 57:18-19 NKJV 

 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 MEV

 I think God was trying to show us something. Words carry weight. Words have power. Words are containers. They can contain Grace, Faith, hope, joy, life, wholeness or they can contain, wrath, anger, disbelief, hurt, judgment and condemnation and death. Your words can agree with what God has said or disagree with Him.

Positive Confession or negative confession?

 So we can have a positive confession or a negative one. We can hold to a good confession or a bad one. We can speak life or speak death, this choice is ours. 

 Confession means to agree with God. When we hold fast to a positive confession we are using our words in agreement with God. We are saying Father, all you did for me in Christ's Finished Work I agree is mine. All Jesus made me in the New Creation I agree with. All redemption provided for I accept and agree with, my words are in agreement. 

What then is a negative confession? A negative confession is a confession that discounts and disregards and disagrees with God. Negative confessions contradict what Jesus has done for us. Negative confessions hold fast to denying all Jesus did for us. Sometimes He forgives our sins. Sometimes He sees believers righteous. Sometimes He heals. Sometimes He provides. Sometimes He's good. Sometimes but not all the time. 

 Faith is released by speaking. Words are the locator of our belief. Look at the Word again on this subject;

...but believes that what he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. Mark 11:23b MEV

13 We have the same spirit of faith. As it is written, “I believed, and therefore I have spoken.” So we also believe and therefore speak, 2 Corinthians 4:13 MEV

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.” This is the word of faith that we preach Romans 10:8 MEV

10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation Romans 10:10 MEV

 This is Faith's believing and speaking out. We believe and we speak. It is clear over and over in the Word of God, our words have power. Our words carry weight. Words can put us over or cause defeat. If you have experienced constant trouble, do a check of what you have been speaking. Are you agreeing with God or circumstances or the lies of the enemy?

 We know we live in a fallen world. However, in the midst of this world, don't disregard God and what He has done for you. You don't have to agree with and accept the circumstances. 

 In summation, we can use our words to describe our situation or we can use words to change them. We can use words talking about the mountain or we can use words and speak to the mountain. We can use words to curse the darkness or we can use Faith-filled words speaking what God said about our situation. True freedom and lasting hope comes from placing our eternal trust in Jesus and agreeing with God with our words and actions. 
Image by GraphicMama-team from Pixabay 

Understanding the Gospel: What is the Prosperity Gospel?

2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 2 NKJV










 Have you ever heard of the prosperity gospel? Have you heard that label used to describe various ministers or ministries? The real question is do you know what the prosperity gospel or message actually is?   

 Traditional Christianity often assigns labels to church groups they don't like or organizations they disagree with. The heresy label abounds. What I'd like to do is clear away bias, and traditions and just look at the substance of what the prosperity gospel actually teaches and whether it's Biblically accurate or is indeed erroneous and false. My goal isn't to fight or accuse, I sat in prosperity gospel circles for ten years allow me to share what it actually is. 

 First, we need to establish that not every teaching about finances or healing is the prosperity gospel. There are Christians who deny healing is for today and believe that tongues are mere gibberish. So any church that prays for the sick and believes in the Gifts for today is dismissed as prosperity gospel preachers. We also must understand there is a difference between extremism and error. 

Don't become extreme in addressing extremes in the Church

 Believing that God is a good Father isn't extreme. If you believe God is good, that He doesn't send or ordain disease, disaster, death, and despair doesn't mean you ascribe to an extremist theology. But doesn't the prosperity gospel also teach nothing bad will ever happen if you have enough faith? Yes, some circles teach that. The differences are we know we live in a fallen world and that is why we see sickness and suffering abound. We don't say bad doesn't occur in this world, we are just saying God isn't responsible.

 Because God is a good Father, we can believe God for financial provision in times of need. We can believe God for healing when symptoms arise. Jesus is our hope and present help. This isn't extremism. So don't accept the extremist label bias tradition-bound believers try to label everyone with just because you trust Jesus for help in time of need.

What is the actual prosperity gospel then?

 The prosperity gospel is centered around seed faith. The prosperity gospel focuses more on wealth than any other subject. As for health, it teaches if you're sick it's your fault and you lack faith. In truth, this should be called the always healthy and wealthy seed faith gospel. 

 Let's thoroughly examine prosperity gospel teaching. This teaching starts with the tithe. It teaches you are supposed to give 10% of your gross earnings to your prosperity church.  Now tithing is just the beginning. It serves a dual purpose. In poker, you have to ante or buy into the game before you can bet. The tithe is the ante. See, according to the prosperity gospel, you haven't even given until you first tithe. The tithe isn't yours so you haven't given until you give your own money.

 So the tithe is first like an ante, funds you deposit so you can participate in the game if you will. The second purpose of the tithe is for protection. The tithe is owed to the Father so your stuff will be protected. It's literally a protection racket. If one had a car accident, the first thing many ask is were you paying your tithes? If not then it's your fault for not giving God His protection money. 

 Once you pay your tithe, then it's onto giving or sowing seeds. What's the difference? The truth is, an offering is what you give when you don't have a pressing need. When you are in need and give you are sowing a seed for your need to be met. You have a need, so you are basically bribing God to pay attention to you and bring to you the supply.

 When you give above the 10% the process of seedtime and harvest has begun. What you're to expect is a return or harvest on your giving. A 30, 60, or Hundredfold return is promised to you each time you sow in faith. What this looks like is this; Say you gross $1,800,  you owe God $180. Then you are to give above that to begin seedtime and harvest. You give say $50. You then are supposed to expect either,  $50 times 30fold return equals $1,500. $50 times 60fold equals $3,000. $50 times 100fold return equals $5,000. 

 This is the foundation of the prosperity gospel. Soon after this wasn't enough. Teachers of this view began teaching about giving into good soil, naming your seed, giving personal financial gifts to the minister, and giving unto the rich and not the poor, a concept called blessing the blessed, the first fruit offering. They also ascribe to a view that the wealth of the wicked will one day come into the Christian's hands.

 Allow me to briefly explain these aforementioned views. Giving into good soil means only giving to churches and ministries that teach you're supposed to be rich. Don't give into any other ministry or it won't produce a blessing. You're to not just sow a seed but name or target your seed. In other words, if you had a need for a new job, give and keep giving saying this seed is for me to harvest a new job. Again, bribing God to bless you, or buying your miracle. When Jesus was on Earth He never merchandised His anointing or healing or miracles. Peter never gave him a financial gift before He caused the miracle of the near-boat sinking catch of fish.

 The idea of giving money to the minister is rooted in the concept that if you sow money into him or her what giftings they have will show up in your life. Blessing the blessed is a concept rooted in greed. It uses a passage in Proverbs about giving to the poor, here, to show that there is not a rich return on giving to the poor. so "bless the blessed", or put money in rich people's pockets, they are "good ground" for sowing. The first fruit offering is a TV preacher gimmick wherein you give the first fruit of your increase. Meaning if the first time you made say $10,000 you would give an additional 10% as a first fruit offering. 

 The wealth of the wicked transferred to the just concept is a Graceless view. Jesus died on the Cross and purchased our redemption if we simply believe. He didn't die to get the lost person's wallet or checkbook. He wants people's hearts, not their paychecks or possessions. These basically sum up the entirety of the prosperity gospel tenets. 

 The prosperity message I've expounded has sadly turned into an almost lottery-like fantasy designed to remove money from the hands of gullible Christians. It preys on lower-income families. It makes lavish promises that one day they will become rich and will be able to drive a Lexus and take summer vacations in Paris if only they keep giving 12%, 17%, 20%, 30%, or more of their income to a local church or TV minister. 

extremes vs error

 What these concepts are, even though they are rooted in greed, are defined as extremes. They are taking Scripture and pushing them to extreme areas. They are pushing them out of bounds so to speak. The problem is any truth taken to extremes leads to error. Now, these extremes are an untruth. There is no Biblical precedent for someone giving God $100 and then receiving $10,000. These ministers take Luke 6:38, 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, Mark 4 and 10, and Galatians 6 and interpret them out of context and push them to extremes. As wrong as these extremes are they aren't the real error of the prosperity gospel. 

What is the real error of the prosperity gospel?

 Any truth taken to an extreme leads to error. Error and false teaching Biblically defined, is when false teachers deny the deity of Christ, deny the authority of the Scriptures, or change or alter the Gospel or salvation message. A gospel of works and performance is, therefore, an error and false teaching because it contradicts the Gospel of Grace.

 The real error of the prosperity gospel is they have turned the Gospel into a message of works, performance, and attempts to buy and earn the blessings and favor of God. If any benefit of salvation requires works or performance to receive then all benefits of salvation must be by works and that is bad news and that isn't the Gospel.

 The Prosperity gospel is a performance-driven, works-oriented gospel that condemns, hurts, and destroys. Marriages crumble and dissolve due to the stress and pressure of trying to manifest money. People walk away from God because they feel unworthy or that God lied to them. There is one passage that sums up this message.

There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Proverbs 16:25 NKJV

People are promised a harvest for giving much, and when it doesn't manifest soon, their eyes quit seeing the Savior and turn inwardly. They begin to search their heart for hidden sins or addictions. Search if they're harboring ill will, resentment or bitterness, or unforgiveness. They also search their heart to see if they're in faith or have allowed doubt and unbelief to corrupt their faith. Oh, wait you must be in fear they say to themselves, fear contaminates faith. So it must be fear of not receiving causing me not to receive. The excuses are endless and the peddlers of the prosperity gospel conveniently insulate themselves from anyone challenging them on their teaching by teaching it's up to your faithfulness and performance to receive.

 So instead of Jesus being your provider you and your perfect obedience, performance, faithfulness, sinlessness, and financial giving become your provider. When you tithe and give and don't see a return they say, "Well you gave with the wrong motive",  but they took your money regardless of your motive, and when they instructed you to tithe and give offerings they specifically stated if you give you will be blessed financially. 

 What has God actually promised to Christians in this life? God isn't saying for eternal salvation and receiving righteousness the Finished Work provided it, but for financial needs or receiving healing, you're on your own. In the Finished Work, He has given us wisdom and favor, and strength. He gives us the wisdom to manage our finances. He gives us the favor of finding jobs and better jobs and finding good bargains when we shop. He gives us the strength to work and be productive. What about the suffering and famine in many lands? That's why we take what blessing we have and become a blessing to the needy and unfortunate. We first must be blessed to be a blessing, and that isn't prosperity extremism. 

 In summation, the prosperity gospel is an extreme teaching that produces the error of works and performance-based faith. When people are promised by men that God will do something and it never happens condemnation overtakes them, and they wonder what's wrong with them. In the long term, people begin to blame God for lying to them and they walk away from God hurt, broken and bitter. That is the true fruit of the prosperity gospel. 

Image courtesy of digitalart at FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

The Blessings of New Covenant Grace

And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]. 2 Corinthians 9:8

 In the last couple of posts I began discussing Biblical prosperity. I addressed the extreme error that poverty and insufficiency were God's best or design for His Church. I also began to address the opposite extreme of unScriptural practices concerning finances. In concluding this series I want to look at another extreme when it comes to prosperity.

 There exist the extreme of unBiblical teaching on wealth, and the corresponding works and performance based trappings that inevitably result from such teachings. I would like to briefly address  some of these teachings. I will also shine a light on the motivation of these teachings. 

The end time transfer of wealth?

 There is a certain teaching based on Proverbs 13 that in the final days God is going to plunder the sinners of their wealth and redistribute it to the Godly.

   
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.  Proverbs 13:22

Is this teaching accurate? Is it Biblical? This doesn't sound like a loving reward for the righteous to "fund" the gospel. It actually sounds more like "The Communist Manifesto". Where God Almighty strips certain rich ones of all their possessions and redistributes it to those more "deserving".  Is this the message of the gospel to the World? Get right with God or else He is going to confiscate your wealth? 

 Remember the gospel is good news. It is the goodness of God that brings repentance not badness or property confiscation. All throughout the Epistles we are never told to long after the wallets of the lost but rather their hearts and minds! We should proclaim God's love for them and see hearts changed by His love.

This teaching is an erroneous idea based on bad interpretation. Proverbs isn't referring to some end time transfer of money but rather the consequences of unGodly means of obtaining wealth. 

The Hundredfold Return

 This teaching says if you give $100 God guarantees you $10,000 in return. Simply put this teaching said God obligates Himself to return whatever you give by 100 times. This is blatant misrepresentation of God's Word. This idea is gimmickry and trickery in order to gain more funds from the saints during offering time. It is completely rooted in greed. This greed dwells within the deceived one proclaiming it and the misled ones giving in order to obtain it. 

But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” Mark 4:20
  
So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.             Mark 10:29-30

To properly read and understand the Word of God we must rightly divide it. We must not add to it our own idea or own view. In context of Mark 4 and Mark 10 there is never a reference about an offering giving and an expectant return of 100 times the amount given. If anyone placed a newly converted Christian into a room and said read Mark's gospel they would never come out thinking that if they give an offering to their local church that God is obligated to give them 100 times the amount they just gave. 

  Mark 4 is addressing how God's Word when planted in our hearts will grow into fruitful living, if we guard it from tradition, religion, the lies of the devil, and the World's thinking and vain pleasures. No offering taught about here. I guess to these prosperity gurus Jesus was just confused or didn't finish His thoughts. 
4 The seed the farmer is sowing is the good news, God’s word...
20 But those last seeds—those sown into good soil? Those people hear the word, accept it, meditate on it, act on it, and bear fruit—a crop 30, 60, or 100 times larger than the farmer dropped to earth. Mark 4:4,20 VOICE
 Mark 10 is about us never losing out when we follow God's plan for our life. Notice the absence of the word giving, or gave in Mark 10. It states if you left all to follow Him you will not be disappointed. 

This is where I get rather disturbed at this teaching. It places the focus of our life and faith on gaining some astronomical figure of financial blessing that God never promised. I have heard some Christians speak about their lack. I also have been guilty of this in the past, (probably more so than most). We get on our smart phone or tablet inside our air conditioned home or apartment while watching Satellite TV and text out our prayer request for deliverance from lack because we want some new gadget or bigger screen TV.  We need to focus on what God has already blessed us with and be thankful. Come to the impoverished areas in Asia where children swim in sewage to find any loose change. I believe much of the prosperity gospel is solely greed driven.

 Now with unScriptural teachings and promises what inevitably occurs is the lack of fulfillment of said promises. This in turn makes us look inwardly and try to locate where we missed it. This introspection produces failure mindsets, disappointment in God and condemnation. Let me illustrate something about faith and God's promises.
 1. To partake of the promise of the New Birth what must we do? Believe in our heart and say with our mouth (agree with God) that Jesus is Lord. We receive Him as our Lord and Father.
 2. In order to receive the fullness of the Spirit (Baptism in the Spirit), what must we do? Believe in our heart and confess with our mouth (agree with God) that we receive it.
 3. In order to receive healing what must we do? Believe with our heart and say or confess His Word is true agreeing with God it is done. 
 4. In order to receive provision financially from God what must we do? Give, and keep giving. Search your heart for hidden resentments against others. Give some more above what you gave last time. Consider your way of living each and everyday, make sure you don't ever "blow it", your "harvest" depends on it. Name your seeds and give some more. Call in your money and keep calling. I know you gave but you may not have given enough so give a little bit more. Search yourself if you have a habitual sin. God won't bless you, you filthy sinner. 

 Do you see the graceless way provision has been proclaimed in the Church? Should we exercise faith in believing for provision? Of course! Should we give? Absolutely, without question. However, the why we give is what is at heart. We give not to get anything. He is our Father. In the finished work He took our lack and insufficiency. We give in genuine love as a pure response to His love outstretched towards us. 

  I know this may be difficult for some to hear but we need to stop looking at Old Covenant principles of provision. The "do good get good" and "do bad get bad" life is under Law. Jesus bore our poverty on the Cross. We should be feeding our faith the Word of God on New Covenant grace. On the finished work of provision. Passages like 2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
 It is His grace that is the source of our blessing. Our actions aren't the source of our blessings. Obedience is its own reward. Why? Because if I listen to Him and follow His plans for me I will avoid the hard way or the pitfalls. 

 I know we may believe some of the ministers that proclaim this extreme prosperity are good men. I have no doubt that most are honorable men in most areas of their life. I do believe though the honor stops when they misrepresent God and the Word about money. Brother Kenneth Hagin actually pulled several of these major ministries preaching money, money all the time, aside and tried to warn and correct them. If they were so honorable in this area why the need for correction?

 To conclude, don't fall for scams and schemes and "promises" of innumerable wealth if you give a certain amount. I know of a extremely well known minister who by eyewitness account told a congregation to give to their pastor. He said the Lord told him 10 people were to give $10,000. He then said he would give the first 10 grand. At the end of the service in the accounting room the "check" the minister wrote was never signed. Dishonest? Absolutely! This is the kind of things that occur because these ministers are not willing to be corrected. They leave a trail of broken dreams, shipwrecked faith and children of God broken and condemned.
9But those who crave the wealth of this world slip into spiritual snares. They become trapped by the troubles that come through their foolish and harmful desires, driven by greed and drowning in their own sinful pleasures. And they take others down with them into their corruption and eventual destruction. 10Loving money is the first step towards all kinds of trouble. Some people run after it so much that they have given up their faith and have turned from Christ— and they will live to regret it. Craving more money pushes them away from the faith into error, compounding misery in their lives! 1 Timothy 6:9-10 Passion Translation
Trust in the finished work of provision. There is never anything wrong with God or His Word and by the Blood of Jesus nothing is unacceptable with you. Just receive His blessings. 
  
 Lets, believe and receive freely His favor. Discounts, and deals. Jobs and better jobs. Provision from unexpected sources. Open doors of blessings are yours in Him. No one is saying we're going to be millionaires but we are His kids and we will not go without. Blessings in abundance to you and your loved ones!