🏳️‍🌈✝️🔻 Exposing the LIE perpetuated by Prosperity Gospel Ministers {FALSE PROPHETS}

Distinguishing the TRUTH from the LIES

 

Rainbow Pastor David

12-19-2018

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Let us look at the TRUTH from God’s Word that will DISPEL the LIES and DECEPTION of the PROSPERITY GOSPEL MINISTERS whom the Bible calls FALSE PROPHETS. These FALSE prophets {men and women} want you to believe that JESUS and His disciples were RICH so they can convince you to give them your money so you can obtain this RICHNESS. Today I will be giving you examples of Wealthy men and women in the Bible who believed in God and supported ministers both from the Old and New Testament.

It is time for the people of God to QUIT believing the LIES being taught from the pulpits of hypocrites and vipers as Jesus would be calling them like He did with the dishonest Pharisees {Matthew 23:13-19}. I know it is hard for so many to believe the TRUTH when they have been lied to for so many years. However, I also believe the Bible that says the TRUTH will set you FREE {John 8:31-32}.

It has been common practice for the Prosperity gospel preachers to take the lives of many men and women in the Bible that were NOT ministers to justify ministers obtaining wealth. Today I will share with you a few of these men and women so you can see how God used them as instruments to provide for the ministers of His Word.

The TRUTH from Biblical Hermeneutics {the branch of knowledge that deals with interpretation, especially of the Bible or literary texts}

Wealthy men and women in the Bible who were NOT {preachers} – 

Old Testament –

• Abraham {Genesis 13:2, Genesis 24:35} had 2 wives the first was his sister by his own father but with a different mother and many concubines

• Isaac {Genesis 26} had 1 wife who was his cousin

• Jacob {Genesis 30:25-31:55} had 2 wives which were his cousins and concubines

• Job {Job1} 1 wife, lost his first 10 children, God gave them 10 more in the same order because of Job’s faithfulness to God

• King Solomon {2 Chronicles 9:13-29} had 700 wives and 300 concubines

• King David {1 Chronicles 22:14} had 8 wives and at least 10 concubines

• Joseph, called Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37) a “believer” not a minister who sold land and gave the money to the Apostles for their journeys

New Testament -

• Dorcas (Acts 9:36) this is Tabitha who gave of her time and talent to take care of the poor. She was rich in spirit NOT in wealth. She is also the woman that Peter raised from the dead. Dorcas {Tabitha} was living proof of the admonishment John gave to Gaius in 3 John 2. Both of these believers where prospering in their spirits as they gave to others.

• Gaius (3 John 1-15) was an Apostle in Ephesus whose church supported missionary work and took great care of the missionaries who would come through Ephesus on their journeys. We learn from 3 John 2 that Gaius was successful as an Apostle in the church and John was giving him encouragement to continue the great work he was doing.

• Cornelius (Acts 10:1) a wealthy believer who gave lots of money to ministries

• Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:6-12) head of the local government who believed in God after Paul caused blindness to come upon the sorcerer who was giving counsel to this government official.

• Lydia (Acts 16:14-15) a woman who was a wealth merchant who converted and believed in God

• Jason (Acts 17:5-9, 1 Maccabees 8:17, 1 Maccabees 12:16; 14:22, 2 Maccabees 2:19-23, 2 Maccabees 4:7-26, Romans 16:21) Jewish historian and high priest who worshiped Hercules and was converted by Paul.

• Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:2-3) wealth from making tents, converts who followed and ministered with Paul

• Mnason of Cyprus (Acts 21:16) a “believer” not a minister

• Philemon (Philemon 1) a wealth “Christian” who owned many slaves, who Paul pleaded with to take the runaway slave Onesimus back as a brother in Christ and NOT a slave.

• Zacchaeus the tax collector (Luke 19:1-10) before faith, cheated citizens and abused the poor. After faith, repented and made restitution.

• Joseph of Arimathea (Matt. 27:56-61; Mark 15:42-46; Luke 23:50-53) Pre-paid his own funeral, donated his tomb for the burial of Jesus

• Women supporters of Christ (Luke 8:3; 23:55-24:10; Mark 15:40; 16:1) Supported Jesus’ work Assisted in His burial (probably donated expensive perfume).

• Roman centurion who believed. (Matt. 8:5-13; Luke 7:5) Showed kindness toward the Jews. Paid for the building of a synagogue. Showed compassion for his ill servant.

• Rich young ruler (Matt. 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30) Unwilling to part with his wealth when tested by Jesus

• Ananias & Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) Sold land and tried to deceive the church about the proceeds to gain a reputation

• Rich Christians written about by James (James 2) Exploited the tendency of some to cater to them because of their wealth. Dragged other believers into court and slandered Jesus’ name.

• Lydia (Acts 16:13-15, 40) Hosted the first church in Europe in her home.

• Cornelius the Centurion (Acts 10:1-48) Generous to the poor. Sought out Peter concerning the faith.

• The Ethiopian Treasurer (Acts 8:26-40) Nurtured his belief in God by traveling to Jerusalem. Invited Philip to explain more about the faith.

• Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9-25) Longed for spiritual power and thought it could be       bought and sold

 

In John 12:6 we read that Judas was in charge of the money that belonged to Jesus and His disciples. Judas never cared for the poor, he even stole from the money entrusted in him to keep safe for Jesus and the twelve disciples. This was an insight into the character of the man who would soon betray Jesus for money. Jesus and the disciples were not rich. They relied heavily on the women who followed Jesus’ ministry and the donations from wealthy believers so they could travel and spread the good news and healing power of Jesus.

Of course we know, as the second person of the Trinity, Jesus is as rich as God is rich. Indeed, our Lord owns everything and possesses all power, authority, sovereignty, glory, honor, and majesty (Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2; John 1:1, 8:58, 10:30, 17:5; Colossians 1:15–18, 2:9–10; Hebrews 1:3). Yet during the time Jesus was here on earth, He willingly relinquished His eternal riches and most of the privileges of His deity. Becoming poor indeed, our Lord took on the nature of a lowly and humble servant (Zechariah 9:9; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:6–8). And by the time our Savior endured the tortures of the cross for us, His earthly possessions amounted to no more than the clothes on His back that were divided up by the soldiers who crucified Him.

Sadly, however, there are many prosperity preachers today who would like you to believe that Jesus was rich while here on earth and that God wants nothing more than to lavish His children with an abundance of material blessings. After all, a rich Jesus would certainly make it easier for them to persuade their flock that God wants them to be rich, too.

However, a materially rich Jesus Christ is utterly incompatible with biblical truth. Even a cursory examination of the Bible should dispel any notion of our Savior’s being wealthy in an earthly sense. During His public ministry, Christ and His disciples depended entirely on the hospitality of others as they ministered from town to town (Matthew 10:9–10, Luke 8:3; 23:55-24:10; Mark 15:40; 16:1). As Jesus told a would-be follower “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head” (Luke 9:58).

It is unfortunate, then, that this false teaching about Christ’s wealth and its accompanying “gospel of greed” has gained a foothold in churches today. As Solomon aptly taught, however, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9), for we can see that Paul addressed similar matters in his own churches: “Watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people” (Romans 16:17–18).

Paul’s sparing and abrupt commentary in his first letter to Timothy regarding those who think godliness is a means to financial gain captures the essence of Christ’s numerous teachings on the dangers that accompany a heart bent on the accumulation of earthly treasure: “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief’s” (1 Timothy 6:9–10).

Indeed, the New Testament is filled with lessons where Jesus chides the rich and praises the poor. He taught us to “be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). And to not store up for ourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal (Matthew 6:19–21). Our Lord, who knows the hearts of men, is aware of the deceitfulness of riches and what a considerable stumbling block wealth can be. The sentiment of Proverbs 30:9, which declares, “I may have too much and disown you and say ‘who is the LORD,’” reverberates through the entirety of God’s Word. Thus, it would be a strange paradox indeed—and one that would certainly dilute the gospel message—if Jesus Christ were a member of the rich class of people who, as He declared, would find it so difficult “to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:23).

Remember this friends, just as God has many TRUE minister in this world, Satan has sent out many FALSE ministers masquerading as servants of righteousness into this world to deceive the masses (Matthew 24:5-7, 2 Corinthians 11:14-15). This is why we are warned in Matthew 7:15-20 to watch out for these MONEY HUNGRY, FALSE PROPHETS. 

“Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.” Matthew 7:15-20

Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus and those who still need to believe, I pray this short but concise message about the wealthy in the Bible will open your eyes to the TRUTH so you will  recognize the LIE that has been penetrating the “Church” because of the Name it and claim, prosperity gospel, FALSE teachers with their slick tongues.

I pray that you will prosper in your spirit as reach out and help others who are in need just like Jesus and His disciples did when they walked on this earth. 

Blessings and Peace,

Rainbow Pastor David