THE GOSPEL OF COVETOUSNESS
http://www.lorendavis.com/news_articles_abuse.html
By Loren Davis
There is absolutely no debate that God’s Word has plenty of promises to bless His children in this life, and that God blesses a person who is a giver and a 'liberal soul'. Lk. 6:38, Mal. 3:10, etc.
But, AMONG MANY PREACHERS, THE GOSPEL OF SUCCESS has taken the place of the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ regarding Salvation and godly Living. This gospel targets the poor, the struggling, the desperate and the greedy. It uses scriptures, but perverts them and looks at all scriptures through the colored glasses of money. This gospel is exploiting God’s people financially. To many unscrupulous preachers this Gospel of Money has turned into a con game with God’s people being the prey.
Exodus 20:17 One of the 10 Commandments is "THOU SHALT NOT COVET..." but many 'preachers' are stirring up covetoutness and greed among God's people which is shipwrecking the faith of millions.
Eph 4:19-20 "Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ;" KJV
2 Tim 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” KJV
TODAY, THERE IS LITTLE PREACHING ABOUT JESUS, SALVATION, SIN, THE CROSS, HEAVEN OR HELL. MOST PREACHING TODAY IS ABOUT HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL OR GET RICH BY ‘SOWING YOUR SEED’.
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THESE TEACHINGS…
“Jesus was rich”. Some teach that Jesus wore designer clothes. Jesus had a nice house, a big house.
THE BIBLE SAYS: Luke 9:58 “And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” KJV
Some are teaching: Jesus was handling big money.
The money that came to Jesus, which was probably substantial, but it went mainly for the support of the ministry, not to make Him rich personally.
The Bible says…2 Cor. 8:9 “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes HE BECAME POOR, that ye THROUGH HIS POVERTY might be rich.” KJV
In Matt 11:28-29 Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” KJV
One prominent preacher says, “Paul had the kind of money that could stop up justice”.
This is opposite what the Bible says regarding Paul:
2 Cor 11:27-28 “In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” KJV
Phil 4:15-17”Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.” KJV
Acts 9:16 Speaking of Paul, “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.” KJV
Phil 3:8 Paul said, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: FOR WHOM I HAVE SUFFERED THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ ,” KJV
It is said that the Apostle Paul had to even make tents to help sustain himself. Saying Paul had the money to stop up the justice system of Rome is falsely accusing him of being corrupt, which would mean he was a sinner and had not changed after his encounter with Jesus Christ.
SOWING AND REAPING
Galatians 6:7-8 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP,” is the primary scripture that is used teaching giving and receiving. There is not question that the Bible teaches in Malachi 3:10 (that) God will bless us for tithing and giving offerings. There are also many other scriptures that teach this, but
These scriptures are primarily talking about that IF YOU LIVE IN SIN YOU WILL REAP CORRUPTION. THESE SCRIPTURES ARE TALKING ABOUT SALVATION!
8 “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” KJV
There is a principle of sowing and reaping related to giving and receiving. However, most scriptures that are used to teach about sowing are taken out of context. Many have misapplied these scriptures.
MANY GIMMICKS HAVE BEEN USED BY THESE PROSPERITY PREACHERS TO FLEECE THEIR FLOCKS:
BUYING AND SELLING MIRACLES
I heard a TV preacher preaching on the “Law of Sowing and Reaping” tell his viewers that if they wanted to be healed, they need to sow a seed of an offering first. He said, “Everything starts with a seed.” He said that if they want a loved one saved, sow a seed. IF THEY NEED A MIRACLE, SOW A SEED. The Bible does say in Malachi 3 that if we give our tithes and offerings, He will pour out a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it, but this is primarily talking about finances. This truth though, in the name of revelation, has stretched scriptures to infinitum and has turned the truth into a lie.
In Africa some preachers are saying regarding healing that if you have a headache you need to sow little; but if you have cancer or HIV you must sow a big seed to get a big miracle. They are teaching the bigger miracle you need, the more seed you need to sow. This is a con game!
Rom 1:25 “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” KJV.
THE TRUTH IS THAT HEALING AND SALVATION ARE NOT FOR SALE! THEY ARE GIFTS OF GOD! Protestant preachers are in reality copying THE CATHOLIC CHURCH which tells its people that if they go to Mass and GIVE MONEY to the church, the priests will pray their LOVED ONES OUT OF PURGATORY. This makes the Church and Money our savior and not Jesus Christ.
JESUS IS STILL A MIRACLE WORKER, BUT BUYING SALVATION, HEALING OR MIRACLES is NOT IN THE BIBLE!
Acts 8:20 “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because THOU HAST THOUGHT THAT THE GIFT OF GOD MAY BE PURCHASED WITH MONEY.” KJV
1 Pet 1:18-19 “Forasmuch as ye know that YE WERE NOT REDEEMED WITH CORRUPTIBLE THINGS, AS SILVER AND GOLD, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”
DID JESUS EVER TELL SOMEONE TO SOW A SEED BEFORE HE HEALED OR FORGAVE THEM? NEVER! The only thing that was required was that they had faith in Him.
UNDER THE DISCIPLES’ MINISTRIES, NO MONEY EVER CHANGED HANDS FOR PEOPLE TO GET A MIRACLE.
Acts 3:6 “Then Peter said, SILVER AND GOLD HAVE I NONE; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” KJV
God promises to bless if we obey Him and believe Him, but many extra-biblical promises are being given to God’s people. God is not bound to honor men’s promises.
VOWING A VOW
Some teach us to VOW A VOW of pledging a big gift to release God’s blessing in your life.
Is this scriptural? Matt 5:34-36 “But I say unto you, SWEAR NOT AT ALL; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.” KJV
Some preachers have induced God’s people to even give the title deed to their house and sometimes to give everything they own to get God to give them a miracle. Many saints have been ravaged, and the “so called” man of God got filthy rich. It is not wrong for a man of God to be blessed, but to live extravagantly and not put the funds into really reaching the lost is a trap many have fallen into.
THIS GOSPEL OF MONEY AND GREED HAS COME TO AFRICA
ONE OF THESE “PROPHETS” OF PROSPERITY CAME TO UGANDA. He told the audience that God spoke to him that whoever would give the biggest gift they could possibly give, God, in effect, would make them a millionaire. A woman in the audience went and took the savings out of her joint savings account she had with her husband. She gave their life savings built up over many years, $5000, to the prophet. She didn’t become a millionaire like “the prophet” said. In fact she got no return. When her husband discovered what she had done, he divorced her. The woman backslid and lost her faith in God.
This story is being repeated over and over in Africa. The poor people want to come out of poverty and do everything these preachers tell them to do in blind faith. Many American preachers have come to Africa and have lifted huge offerings off the Africans, promising “the sowers” great riches. They quote the scripture, “Believe the prophets, so shall you prosper”. Practically the only thing many African preachers preach about is sowing your seed and prosperity. They have copied these preachers from the West. Few preachers in Africa preach about salvation, heaven, hell or living a godly moral life. Some of these African preachers are driving luxury cars and living in mansions while most of their precious people are still living in slums, falling deeper into poverty and disillusionment. Many in Africa have lost their faith because they have been so ravaged by these preachers who have made outlandish promises that they will get rich by sowing a big seed.
NAIROBI-One of these gimmicks we saw in Nairobi, Kenya, was a famous pastor there said he had MIRACLE SOIL. He told the poor people that God had a miracle for those who didn’t own any land. He said he was going to give them this miracle soil and in a short time they would own their own land. But FIRST, they had to SOW A SEED of a large amount of money to get this harvest of getting their own land from God. The desperate poor lined up by the thousands, scraping together the money any way they could. Of course the people didn’t get their own land, but the preacher took away a huge haul of money from the poor. This is destroying the faith of untold numbers of Africans.
SOME SAY, SOW A SEED TO GET THE ANOINTING.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The anointing is not for sale! The anointing comes by having the Anointed One, Jesus, dwelling in you; being full of His Word; being full of the Holy Ghost, and living a godly life. (Acts 1:8) The anointing comes from paying a price and being consistently obedient to God.
SOW A SEED, GET A PROPHECY
There are unscrupulous preachers who call themselves prophets, that call for MIRACLE OFFERINGS. They tell you a big figure to give and say that everyone that gives this amount, will receive a personal word. They then give great prophecies of prosperity, etc. to these. Then they call for those who have a lesser offering. As the amount goes down, each group gets a less glowing prophecy. If you don’t give, you don’t get a prophecy.
THIS IS THE “BUY A PROPHECY” PROGRAM. These are not true prophets of God, but FALSE PROPHETS, who prophesy for money.
THE HUNDREDFOLD RETURN
One prominent televangelist writes, "...Every man who invests in the Gospel has a right to expect the staggering return of one hundredfold." (Laws of Prosperity, pg.67)
He also says, "Do you want a hundredfold return on your money? Give and let God multiply it back to you. He urges his supporters, "Invest heavily in God; the returns are staggering... "Every man who invests in the Gospel has a right to expect the staggering return of ONE HUNDREDFOLD."
THE BIBLE DOES NOT TEACH A HUNDREDFOLD RETURN FOR AN OFFERING!
Matt 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
THIS SCRIPTURE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH AN OFFERING! It’s about leaving all for the sake of the Gospel.
WHAT ABOUT THE 30, 60, 100 FOLD RETURN?
Matt 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. THIS SCRIPTURE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH AN OFFERING. READ!
Matt 13:18-23 “Hear ye therefore THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER. When any one HEARETH THE WORD OF the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that RECEIVED SEED INTO THE GOOD GROUND is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Mt. 13:24-26 “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.”
These scriptures are about preaching the Word to the lost. Some receive it and it benefits them to different degrees; and some reject it. These scriptures are primarily about SALVATION and living a life pleasing to God, and bearing fruit.
SOW UP
A number of years ago my wife and I were in a meeting where a prominent preacher was speaking. He was teaching on “SOWING UP”. He explained that the richer ministries were the most fertile ground to sow into. He said that if you want the biggest return on your giving and inferred that you could become rich like them, you need to SOW UP to ministries more prosperous than you. If you sow to ministries that don’t have much money, that is SOWING DOWN and you will get only a little harvest. Poor ministries are not good ground. When these ministries are talking about getting a HARVEST, they are not talking about getting a harvest of souls, but a harvest of MONEY. Getting money is all that is on their minds.
Prov 22:16 “HE THAT OPPRESSETH THE POOR TO INCREASE HIS RICHES, AND HE THAT GIVETH TO THE RICH, SHALL SURELY COME TO WANT.” KJV
MONEY IS THE GOD OF THESE PREACHERS. That’s the main thing they preach about.
PREACHING A “THIS LIFE” GOSPEL
They say little or nothing about heaven or hell or eternity. These preachers’ mentalities are little different from the atheists in that one’s heaven or hell is “the here and now”.
The Bible: 1 Cor 15:19 “If in THIS LIFE ONLY we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” KJV
Heb 11:10 Regarding Abraham, “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
Abraham lived in “this life” with his eyes set on heaven. That is no longer how most preach the Gospel.
Some are teaching WE SHOULD ALL BE RICH. Their gospel is a MATERIALISTIC GOSPEL.
Jesus said, Matt 6:19-20 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” KJV
James 2:5 “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” KJV
Luke 16:13-14 “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. YE CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MAMMON. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.”
Matt 16:24-26 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF , and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” KJV
THEY TRY TO PROVE HOW MUCH FAITH AND ANOINTING THEY HAVE BY THE AMOUNT OF RICHES THEY HAVE.
1 Sam 16:7 “for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” KJV
THEY ARE COPYING SAUL OF TARSUS, NOT THE APOSTLE PAUL.
Gal 1:14 “Paul said that when he was a Pharisee he…”PROFITED IN THE JEWS' RELIGION above many my equals”.
Many get deeply in debt and live under great financial pressure to maintain a good “faith image”. To look poor or needy among these preachers is “the kiss of death”. They will tell you, “I used my faith to get mine. You use your faith to get yours!” To rise in their ranks, you must look very prosperous. They will tell you that they don’t want to hang around people who are struggling financially or who are having problems, because it hurts their faith. There is no precedent with this attitude in the New Testament with Jesus or His disciples. Jesus sought out the poor and the afflicted. He was full of compassion. Many today show little love or compassion for people who are having problems. You don’t hear them preaching about “The Good Samaritan”. Pride and self righteousness, like the Pharisees, is front and center.
John 13:16 Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” KJV
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY REGARDING THESE ISSUES
Prov 16:18-19 “Pride goeth before destruction , and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” KJV
Matt 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
GOD WANTS TO BLESS HIS SERVANTS, BUT THESE WOLVES HAVE TURNED GOD’S HOUSE INTO THEIR OWN BUSINESSES AND ARE RAVAGING GOD’S PEOPLE.
THEY ARE RAVING DESPERATE PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING TO GOD FOR HELP, AND DOING IT IN THE NAME OF JESUS’ AND LIVING LIKE ARAB SULTANS. THE ARE TWISTING THE SCRIPTURES AND PROMISING PEOPLE THINGS THE BIBLE DOES NOT PROMISE. THESE ARE THE WORST THIEVES IN THE WORLD.
John 2:16 “And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.”
GOD’S HOUSE HAS BECOME A DEN OF THIEVES
Matt 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, MY HOUSE shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it A DEN OF THIEVES.
Jer 7:8-11 Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is THIS HOUSE, WHICH IS CALLED BY MY NAME, BECOME A DEN OF ROBBERS in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.
In the TEN COMMANDMENTS, Ex. 20:3, God commands, “THOU SHALT NOT STEAL”.
1 Cor 6:10 THIEVES, nor covetous, … shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
THIEVES ARE NOT GOING TO HEAVEN! This applies even to preachers who pervert God’s Word, promising things the Bible does not promise. They are stealing from God’s people. Many times they do it in the name of the Holy Ghost when in reality their ideas came from their own corrupt imaginations. Anyway you look at it, THIS IS LYING! Where is the fear of God? How could a person be a real believer in Christ and do such devious things and plunder God’s people for their own personal gain? Impossible!
Rev 21:8 “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and ALL LIARS , shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” KJV
To preach or prophesy a lie even in the name of promoting God’s work is an abomination.
1 John 2:21 “I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that NO LIE IS OF THE TRUTH.” KJV
John 10:10 “THE THIEF cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:” KJV
A LOT OF PREACHERS ARE MISUSING SCRIPTURES AND ROBBING GOD’S PEOPLE IN HIS HOUSE. What is the difference of this and being an armed robber? THEY ARE PLAYING ON THE GULLIBILITY AND GREED OF GOD’S PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GET RICH QUICK.
Prov 1:11-19 “If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse : My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. SURELY IN VAIN THE NET IS SPREAD IN THE SIGHT OF ANY BIRD. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is GREEDY OF GAIN; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.” KJV
Note: God does give financial miracles for His people. That is without question. But most of the saints who get caught up in these so called “Miracle Offering” hustles, do so on an emotional appeal and don’t judge what is being said by rightly dividing the Word of Truth. One of the major ministries uses a specialty psychology book to raise offerings, “The Magic Power of Emotional Appeal”. This is not the Holy Ghost. It is psychological manipulation. Most who respond to these preachers are sowing and giving out of desperation or greed. These “wanna be” prophets have run a profile on God’s people and know exactly how to play them like a fiddle. Remember, Satan himself perversely used the scriptures in his temptation of Jesus.
2 Cor 4:2 “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, NOT WALKING IN CRAFTINESS, NOR HANDLING THE WORD OF GOD DECEITFULLY;”
Matt 24:24 “For there shall arise FALSE CHRISTS, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT.”
IT IS EVIDENT THAT THEIR GOD IS MONEY, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY TALK ABOUT THE MOST. Watching much of what is called “Christian TV”, most of the preachers are preaching about PROSPERITY AND ‘SOWING YOUR SEED’. Why? It is because this message brings in the biggest offerings. THEY JUSTIFY THIS SAYING THEY ARE “KING’S KIDS” SO THEY SHOULD LIVE LIKE KINGS.
THIS FALSE “GET RICH” TEACHING IGNORES AND DEFIES MANY WARNINGS FROM THE BIBLE.
Matt 19:23-24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for A RICH MAN to enter into the kingdom of God.”
1 Tim 3:1-11 “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, NOT GREEDY OF FILTHY LUCRE ; but patient, not a brawler, NOT COVETOUS;
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that GAIN IS GODLINESS : FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But THEY THAT WILL BE RICH FALL INTO TEMPTATION AND A SNARE, and into MANY FOOLISH and HURTFUL LUSTS, WHICH DROWN MEN IN DESTRUCTION AND PERDITION.
v. 10 FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL: which WHILE SOME COVETED AFTER, THEY HAVE ERRED FROM THE FAITH, AND PIERCED THEMSELVES THROUGH WITH MANY SORROWS. But thou, O MAN OF GOD, FLEE THESE THINGS; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”
1 JOHN 2:16-17 “FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD, THE LUST OF THE FLESH, AND THE LUST OF THE EYES, AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE, IS NOT OF THE FATHER, BUT IS OF THE WORLD. AND THE WORLD PASSETH AWAY, AND THE LUST THEREOF: BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF GOD ABIDETH FOR EVER.” KJV
GOD’S PEOPLE ARE BEING EATEN ALIVE.
Ezek 34:8 “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because MY FLOCK BECAME A PREY, …but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;”
Ezek 34:19 “And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.” KJV
Acts 20:29-31 ‘For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” KJV
John 10:11-13 Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd : the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.” KJV
God’s people are afraid not to obey the self-proclaimed ANOINTED ONES AND PROPHETS. Some threaten curses on those who WON’T OBEY THEM. Many of God’s people are literally terrorized by these tactics and give what is demanded of them so they won’t be cursed by God. God’s people have become very superstitious.
Acts 17:22 “Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious .” KJV
2 Cor 10:4-5 “…pulling down of strong holds;) CASTING DOWN IMAGINATIONS, AND EVERY HIGH THING THAT EXALTETH ITSELF AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” KJV
THE EXPLOITATION OF THE SAINTS AND MISUSING SCRIPTURES HAS SHIPWRECKED THE FAITH OF MILLIONS.
1 Tim 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:” KJV
IT IS GOOD TO PREACH THE BLESSINGS OF GOD, BUT THIS GOSPEL OF MONEY OR GREED HAS BEEN USED BY SATAN TO ACCOMPLISH SEVERAL THINGS:
1. It has turned God’s people’s attention on money and away from Christ and the basic teachings of the Bible.
2. It has made the Gospel a farce to the world, turning many away from Christ. It has caused many who attended church to quit going. It has turned our young people away from the church.
3. It has made God’s people primarily THIS WORLD CONSCIOUS instead of preparing for eternity.
4. It diverts money away from the local church
5. It has DIVERTED THE FUNDS from the ministries who are actually winning the lost, to sowing only as a business principle to get a return.
6. This is one of the main strategies of the devil to have God’s people exploited so they will completely stop tithing, giving, and supporting God’s work, thus greatly damaging it.
Prov 22:16 “He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.”
Jer 5:31 “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” KJV
Rev 2:14-15 “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. (Balaam, a prophet, sold out Israel for money and caused them to sin).
JUDGING
Most of these preachers don’t want you to judge what they are teaching. (see my article on JUDGING)’ My prayer is that God will open His people’s eyes and deliver them from these wolves. I also pray that God will give His people a spirit of discernment. We need to make sure that what is being taught is accurate and scriptural, and to judge the motive of the preacher. These new MONEY CHANGERS OF THE TEMPLE have exploited and ravaged the saints over and over. They have nearly destroyed Christ’s church worldwide. They have made a mockery of the Gospel.
Truly, God’s people have “been like sheep led to the slaughter”.
Matt 7:22-23 “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
1 Peter 4:17 “For the time is come that JUDGMENT MUST BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD:” KJV
