I hate seeing the Word of God distorted for financial gain. It is with the preaching that is taking place in "churches" a term I use loosely. I spoke on it previously but I decided to be meticulous in my search and I'll share with you. Any scripture is KJV and I exhort you review for reference and study. Religious self help books are popping up everywhere. 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 tells us speak not in man's wisdom but instead the Holy Ghost. Which sounds like foolishness to a natural man who isn't spiritually discerned. The gospel is extremely contradictory to the way we want to live life. Humbling yourself, living a simple life and conceding autonomy fully to God.
Within the church many are praying so God may be the provision to their banking account and desires of life. Who wouldn't pray to God if they thought their wishes could be granted. Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Why would Jesus sow a seed of anything else? Did Jesus not flee when they tried to make him king which comes with riches John 6:15? Whats on this earth that's not in the heavens? The church has never been this popular but been less powerful. Critical and cynical my comments may be, but there is truth. For starters, the church's popularity in America is booming but our family in Christ abroad are dealing with persecution and destroying of the church. Luke 6:22 blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil for the Son of man's sake. Luke 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. We love our pastors and shower them with gifts and the like. Now I'll leave you to decide which category you fall into.
I was looking at some sermons of popular pastors online. I'll refrain from names. For any pastor to declare that disciples of Jesus were talking about abundance and riches in monetary terms and not spiritual and eternal life, I consider apostasy. For the sake of brevity, this is a blog and not a book I have to remind myself; we'll look the influential prophet Paul. Looking at 2 Corinthians 11: 23:33 (please read) to point at a few, stoned, 39 lashes five times, beaten with rods and stoned; and called a babbler by philosophers. God willing we won't encounter this but to this day there are Christians who are. Our prayers for them. Imagine the state of his health, with little healthcare. Consider Paul's physical state. He had no wealth, do you really think abundance and riches where anywhere on his mind? In Acts 20 as he preached to the disciples v. 33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Then in
1 Corinthians 2:1-2 that he wasn't wise or excellent in speech but that he knew Christ and Christ crucified. So if ANYONE gives you a scripture from any epistle from Paul about abundance and riches in this life, go and pray that the Lord mat spare his life Galatians 1:8-9. Lest we not forget all he had was his faith in Jesus Christ and those praying for him. Neither did he have a bible he was living the bible. If health and wealth was a measuring stick of how much God favored him, he'd be in bad shape.
The glory of God is colossal and that is an understatement. God doesn't need to shower us with blessings to show as a demonstration. As we see with Job, God allowed Satan to bring ruin to his estate, death to his children and his wife pleaded with him to curse God. Wherever you are in your faith could you envision such happening to you? Reverting back to Paul, 1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness. There it is that word foolishness again. 2 Timothy 4:3 Christians acquiring their own teachers to preach what they want to hear. The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. If the eye is evil then the body is full of darkness. Paul speaking of the Bereans, Acts 17:11 who received the word but searched themselves to make sure it was truth. Bad preaching corrupts character. Matthew 24 warns of false Christ and prophets. Also v. 28 tells us wherever there is a carcass the eagles will gather. That carcass being the false prophet, a dead man; the eagles, those who swoop in to eat what he is teaching. Hosea 4:6 (please read!) There is a reason we are warned against mammon. One scripture I see used to deceive is Matthew 13:8 but if you read to Matthew 13:11 it is given for us to now the kingdom of heaven; what is sown in this life is to be compensated in eternal life. It leaves me quizzical that Christians are eager to prosper in this life, read 1 Corinthians 2:9. If granted a peek into the heavens one would faint upon first glance.
As we concluded, be informed, looking to prosper is all about self-preservation. Don't think God doesn't want you to enjoy life, but do so seeking his kingdom only and if its thy will you'll have it. If we are going to follow any tradition in America I implore with you suffer for Christ and put others before yourself. As Christians we are to find glory in suffering not a burden. Matthew 24:13 he who endures is saved. Philippians 1:29 not only believe but suffer. Christians must sitting under preaching that convicts their spirit which is the first work of the Spirit John 16:8. Consider yourself because many will perish for disregarding the Holy Spirit Confession of faith in Christ has no merit. He finishes what he starts and the fruits of the Spirit are the true proof. The Bible is absolute or obsolete. Sow the seed and spread the Word. God's Blessings and love to all.
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