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Prosperity Doctrine, Jesus
Christ, and The Rich
Part 1, What
Saith Jesus Christ…
By Kato Mivule
February 3, 2006
Poverty is rampant in Uganda and other parts of Africa and the
Prosperity Doctrine is a "Hot Seller" as one local newspaper put
it. So, a mere mentioning that the Prosperity Doctrine is false
gets many very aggravated here in Africa. I understand the
African sentiment that comes from a legitimate reality of
vicious poverty.
However, we shall not allow such environment of poverty to take
us away from scripture. We must choose to follow what the Bible
Says and teaches not what Men of Greed have concocted..
So, did Jesus Christ promise us Riches, wealth and prosperity as
we are told on Christian TV especially TBN?
Did the Apostles teach that we were going to get prosperous,
rich and attain material wealth on this earth in their epistles
to the churches?
The Lord has promised to meet our NEED...and we are to be
content with what we have...those who desire to be rich in this
world are inviting Apostasy in their lives...
Jesus Christ spoke about our Need being met not Covetousness...
Jesus Christ NEVER taught the ‘Prosperity Doctrine’…
Jesus Christ NEVER had Mansions, Horses, and Chariots on while
on Earth…
Are we not supposed to follow in His footsteps?
Jesus Christ and His Apostles lived fairly a simple lifestyle…
Jesus Christ and His Apostles were NEVER known as Rich Men by
the World…
They were hated and persecuted; they died for what they believed
in…
Jesus Christ never lived the life of a King on earth; neither
did His Apostles…
Paul the Apostle Never taught the ‘Prosperity Doctrine’…
The Prosperity Doctrine is one of Greed, Covetousness,
Materialism, Gluttony, Self-indulgence and love of the World…
Paul spoke about God supplying our NEED and Not our GREED…
So, let us let the scriptures speak for themselves…
Luke 12:15
And he said unto them,
Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life
consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he
possesseth.
A little Greek
will be of help…
The Greek word for Covetousness comes first from
the Word…Pleonektes
= holding (desiring) more, that is, eager for gain (avaricious,
hence a defrauder): - covetous.
The second Greek Word for Covetousness is…Pleonexia
= avarice, that is, (by implication) fraudulency, extortion: -
covetous (-ness) practices, greediness.
Many a Christian Preachers and Pastors today suffer from
Pleonexia Syndrome…only Jesus Christ can cure such a
disorder…
The Greek word for Abundance is…Perisseuo
= to superabound (in
quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also
(transitively) to cause to superabound or excel: - (make, more)
abound, (have, have more) abundance, (be more) abundant, be the
better, enough and to spare, exceed, excel, increase, be left,
redound, remain (over and above).
The Greek word for ‘The Things which he posses’
is…Huparchonta
= things extant or in hand, that is, property or possessions: -
goods, that which one has, things which (one) possesseth,
substance, that hast.
Matthew 13:22
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.
The Greek word for ‘Care’ is…Merimna
= (through the idea of distraction); solicitude: - care.
(Solicitude = concern, attentiveness, consideration, care,
anxiety, worry, disquiet).
The Greek word for another interesting word ‘Deceitfulness’
is…Apate
= delusion: - deceit (-ful, -fulness), deceivableness (-ving).
(Delusion= hallucination, mirage, fantasy, illusion, castle in
the sky, daydream, disorientation, fever, flight of the
imagination)…
This leaves one to wonder if some of our present day Purpose
Driven and Prosperity Preachers and Pastors are Hallucinating
under some influence of drugs or Pharmakeia = Sorcery, and or
demons, as they pounce and crisscross their pulpits with a
message of ‘Well Being, A Good Life, Wealth, Financial Success,
Breakthroughs, Special Favor, and the Acquisition of more
Riches’…
Lastly, I am also interested in the Greek word for ‘Riches’,
which is…Ploutos
= wealth (as fulness), that is, (literally) money, possessions,
or (figuratively) abundance, richness, (specifically) valuable
bestowment: - riches.
A look at What
Saith Jesus Christ as Concerns the Rich…
Matthew 4:8-10
Again, the devil taketh him
up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the
kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
(9)
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou
wilt fall down and worship me.
(10)
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is
written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt
thou serve.
>>Jesus Christ rejects the offers of the kingdoms of this world
and all their splender…
>>Jesus Christ refused to worship Satan in return for the
kingdom of this world and their glories…
>>Have some Purpose Driven and Prosperity Gospel preachers not
bowed down to Satan and are now busy enjoying the kingdoms of
this world, their riches and glories?
>>Jesus Christ answered by saying “You shall worship The Lord
your God and Him only you shall serve”…
>>Did Jesus Christ not say that
you couldn’t serve God and Mammon at the same time, that you
love one or hate the other?
Matthew 5:2-6
And he opened his mouth,
and taught them, saying,
(3) Blessed
are
the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(4)
Blessed are
they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
(5)
Blessed are
the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
(6)
Blessed are
they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they
shall be filled.
>>Jesus Christ NEVER said blessed are the ‘Rich’…why?
>>Why would Jesus Christ instead focus on the ‘Poor in Spirit’?
>>Why does Jesus Christ ignore the Rich, Wealthy, and Prosperous
in the Beatitudes?
Matthew 6:11
Give us this day our daily
bread.
>>Why is Jesus Christ interested in giving us our daily bread?
>>Why is He interested in our Daily Dependence on Him for Bread?
>>Why does He not say ‘Store up enough Bread for a whole year’?
Matthew 6:19-21
Lay not up for yourselves
treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and
where thieves break through and steal:
(20)
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither
moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break
through nor steal: (21)
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
>>Why is Jesus Christ so interested in us Storing up treasures
in Heaven?
>>For where your Treasure is, there will your heart be…
>>If your Treasure is in this world and the riches and
prosperity of this world, so will your heart be…you will be
inclined to serve the gods of Mammon while despising Jesus
Christ…
Matthew 6:30-34
Wherefore, if God so
clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is
cast into the oven, shall he
not much more clothe
you, O ye of little faith?
(31) Therefore take no thought,
saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or,
Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
(32)
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your
heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
(33)
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and
all these things shall be added unto you.
(34)
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall
take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day
is
the evil thereof.
>>Is it that we have no Faith in Jesus Christ that we device
False Doctrines on Material wealth and deceive undiscerning
souls to attain riches?
>>The gentiles seek after the same things i.e. prosperity,
riches, money, wealth, fame, popularity and the like…so to seek
the same as the gentiles do means that we become worldly and
fall in love with the world…
>>Seek first the Kingdom of God (which is not a Kingdom of this
world, sorry!) and its Righteousness, and the rest will be added
to you…however, just your Need will be supplied and not Greed or
Want…
Matthew
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. (25)
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever
will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
(26)
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?
>>We must DENY our selves and Take up our Cross and Follow Jesus
Christ…
>>If you work hard to save your life you will lose it…
>>You lose your life for Jesus Christ; you will find it…we are
called to lose our lives for Jesus Christ…
>>This is a very hard saying and counter to the Prosperity
Purpose Driven Movement of Riches, Money, and Wealth…they HATE
SUFFERING for Jesus Christ…
>>The Whole Prosperity and Purpose Driven Doctrine is a Pretext
for a comfy life and going AWOL (Chickens and Cowards) when it
comes to the Cross and following Jesus Christ…
>>Prosperity Preachers, Pastors and so-called Men of God are
Cowards and are FEARFUL that they HATE to carry their
Cross, endure sufferings, persecution, lack, and hardships,
while following Christ Jesus…
>>The Prosperity Gospel is an easy fix gospel, a comfy gospel,
and a microwave fast food lane gospel… Flees from such; it winds
up in HELL!
>>What is a Man Profited if he gains the whole world, money,
riches, status, fame, popularity, mansions, 10,000 Mega Multi
Million Dollar Church, Worldwide TV TBN attention, etc…but LOSE
HIS SOUL…
Matthew 19:16-24
And, behold, one came and
said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I
may have eternal life? (17)
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good?
there is
none good but one, that is,
God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
(18)
He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder,
Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt
not bear false witness,
(19) Honour thy father and
thy
mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(20)
The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from
my youth up: what lack I yet?
(21)
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go
and
sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have
treasure in heaven: and come
and
follow me. (22)
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away
sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
(23)
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That
a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
(24)
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.
>>Jesus Christ said that it would be difficult for the Rich to
enter Heaven…
>>Those who desire Riches place a stumbling block upon
themselves…
>>The Rich Young Man was Sorrowful and Offended for he had great
possessions…
Matthew
21:12-13
And Jesus went into the
temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the
temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the
seats of them that sold doves,
(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.
>>Jesus Christ never had mercy on the Moneychangers, those who
sold doves, and including those who bought in the temple…He cast
them out!
>>Yes, even if you just support a Purpose Driven Ministry or a
Prosperity Preacher, you are guilty of their sin and will be
cast out with them…so, repent now before it is too late…
>>A time has come and The Lord Jesus Christ is going to be
glorified again in His saints and Holy Temple which is His Body
and the Moneychangers, Sellers and Buyers will be CAST OUT…that
time has come…All Prosperity Church Thieves, Robbers, Criminals
and Thugs purporting to be “Men of God” and Preachers are to be
CAST OUT…REPENT NOW!!!!
>>For these have turned the House of God, the Temple of God into
a Den of Sophisticated Thieves and Robbers…who use the Bible and
godliness as a means of gain…
>>Shame, shame, shame on the whole Prosperity Movement, may The
Lord Rebuke You!
Mark 7:19-23
Because it entereth not
into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the
draught, purging all meats?
(20)
And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the
man.
(21)
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts,
adulteries, fornications, murders,
(22)
Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an
evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
(23)
All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
>>Covetousness, or another word, greed, materialism,
acquisitiveness, self-indulgence, voracity, gluttony, and
selfishness, are all products of a wicked heart and these defile
a man.
>>This is a very clear warning to all who desire to acquire the
Riches of this perishing world…
Mark 10:21-27
Then Jesus beholding him loved
him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell
whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have
treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
(22)
And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had
great possessions. (23)
And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How
hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of
God!
(24) And
the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth
again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them
that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
(25) 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.
(26) And
they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves,
Who then can be saved? (27) And
Jesus looking upon them saith, With men
it is
impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are
possible.
>>Looking at the same story in Mark about the Young Rich Ruler…
>>Jesus Christ again tells His disciples how hard it is for
those who TRUST in Riches to Enter Heaven…
>>The Prosperity Teachers tell us we need to get rich and
wealthy to be well…they sell us a false sense of security…
>>His disciples ask who then can be saved…
>>The Prosperity and Purpose Driven Movement and Church Growth
Movement, including many Missionary Organizations have told us
that we Need Money, Prosperity and to get Rich in order to
spread the Gospel and “Save” many but is this so?
>>What is impossible with Men is Possible with God, even without
our “Riches”, God can still Save those He wants Saved…so let us
not boast…
>>How many Rich Men of the Earth supported Jesus Christ with
their wealth and Money to preach the gospel?
>>How many times did Jesus Christ Collect an Offering or a Tithe
to preach the Gospel?
>>How many gave money and riches so Jesus Christ would die for
you on the Cross?
>>So, where do we get the notion that we need to have money,
riches and wealth to preach the gospel?
>>How much did it cost to have the 3000 saved on the day of
Pentecost in Acts 2 when Peter stood to preach?
Mark 12:41-44
And Jesus sat over against
the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the
treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
(42)
And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites,
which make a farthing.
(43)
And he called unto him
his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That
this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast
into the treasury: (44)
For all they
did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in
all that she had, even
all her living.
>>Jesus Christ watched the Rich give and the Poor Widow give,
Jesus judged the Poor widow as giving in more…
>>Jesus said the Rich gave out of their abundance, they gave
lots but still before Heaven they gave nothing compared with the
Poor Widow…
>>How many times have the Rich stood in Churches and blasphemed
God with their “Prosperity Giving”?
>>It seems Jesus Christ never favored the Rich of the Earth…
>>He always seemed to confront them with Truth…
Luke 1:53
He hath filled the hungry with
good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
>>When Mary lifted her voice to Magnify The Lord, she prophesied
about The Lord…
>>The Lord has filled the hungry with good things…
>>The Rich, He sends away empty…
>>How sad it is to be on the side of the Rich, Wealthy, and
Prosperous of this earth…
Luke 4:18-19
The Spirit of the Lord
is
upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the
poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach
deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the
blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
(19)
To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
>>Jesus Christ stated that He was anointed to preach the gospel
to the poor…why not to the Rich, Wealthy, and Prosperity
Movement and Churches of this earth?
>>The Rich and Prosperous Don’t need Jesus Christ,
they only want Him; they only use His Name as a
Pretext for more riches and “blessings” they already have… That
is the essence of the whole prosperity gospel…greed and more
hoggish greed…
Luke 6:20
And he lifted up his eyes
on his disciples, and said, Blessed
be ye
poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
>>The Kingdom of God Belongs to the Poor?
>>Why not to the Rich of this Earth?
Luke 6:24-26
But woe unto you that are
rich! for ye have received your consolation.
(25)
Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you
that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
(26)
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did
their fathers to the false prophets.
>>Listen! Jesus Christ Decrees a WOE unto the Rich of this
Earth…
>>Jesus Christ says that they have received their consolation…
>>This includes the Prosperity Movement, Wealthy, and ALL the
Rich Men of the Earth...
>>Woe unto you that are Rich!
>>If you are Rich (it does not matter if you are heathen or
“Christian”) there is a WOE unto you, ONLY Jesus Christ can help
you out of it…by you doing His will…giving extravagantly to the
Poor of the Earth…
>>It is interesting that those so-called Prosperous Preachers
are always spoken of well in the World and loved by the World…
>>They are always the darlings of Presidents; visit the Elite of
this world, friends of Politicians etc…
>>However, Jesus Christ decrees another WOE…
>>Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you…
>>They did so to FALSE PROPHETS…
>>How many times have we heard the Prosperity Teachers speak of
“Special Favor”?
Luke 12:15-21
And he said unto them, Take heed,
and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in
the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
(16)
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a
certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
(17)
And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because
I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
(18)
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and
build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my
goods. (19)
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up
for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink,
and be
merry.
(20)
But God said unto him, Thou
fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose
shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
(21)
So is
he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward
God.
>>Jesus Christ warns us against Covetousness…
>>Another word for Covetousness
is greed,
materialism, acquisitiveness, avariciousness,
cupidity, selfishness, self-indulgence,
gluttony, and
overindulgence…
>>All can testify that in one way or the other, the above words
are exceptionally characteristic of the Whole Prosperity
Movement…
>>Jesus Christ was clear, for a man’s life is not made up of the
abundance of his wealth…
>>This scripture exposes and debunks the Whole Prosperity
Movement and their pathetic lies from Satan…
>>The Parable of the Rich Man and his Storage Capabilities
should be a reminder and a warning to us against False Security
and trusting our future in our own hands…
>>True Christians are not called to be Bankers (oops! Sorry
Banks) on this earth…
>>We are to Store our Wealth ad Riches in Heaven by giving
extravagantly to the Poor of the Earth and as such lending to
The Lord…this is our Business with the Heavenly Father…
>>Every True Christian can give regardless of how much they
have, and store up in Heaven…
>>True Christians ‘Bank’ in Heaven while Apostates Don’t!
>>We are commanded to be Rich Towards God and not in the
material things of this earth…
Luke 14:12-14
Then said he also to him
that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not
thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor
thy
rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence
be made thee.
(13)
But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the
lame, the blind: (14)
And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for
thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
>>Brothers and Sisters, why is it that Jesus Christ does not
favor the Rich of this earth?
>>Jesus Christ said go invite the Poor when you make Dinner…
>>The Rich will always repay you but with the Poor, you store
your reward in Heaven…
>>Are you still a fan of the Prosperity Movement?
Luke 14:33
So likewise, whosoever he be of
you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my
disciple.
>>If you don’t forsake ALL…ALL includes ALL and Nothing left
out…so if you cannot forsake ALL, including Riches, Money,
Wealth, Prosperity, Fame Climbing the Corporate Ladder,
Promotions, Gold and Silver, YOU CANNOT BE JESUS CHRIST’S
DISCIPLE…
Luke 16:1-12
And he said also unto his
disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward;
and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
(2)
And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this
of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be
no longer steward.
(3)
Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my
lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I
am ashamed. (4)
I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the
stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
(5)
So he called every one of his lord's debtors
unto him,
and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
(6)
And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him,
Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
(7)
Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said,
An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy
bill, and write fourscore.
(8) And the lord commended the
unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of
this world are in their generation wiser than the children of
light.
(9)
And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of
unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into
everlasting habitations.
(10) He that is faithful in that
which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust
in the least is unjust also in much.
(11)
If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous
mammon, who will commit to your trust the true
riches?
(12)
And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's,
who shall give you that which is your own?
>>We are called to be Good and Faithful Stewards of the riches
God gives unto us…
>>We are to use them to do God’s will…Help the Poor of the
Earth, Help those who Preach Truth and God’s Word…Share with the
Needy among us (Body of Believers), that none should lack…as
such we become Faithful and Good Stewards…
>>We are not called to buy Gulf Stream Jets to fly so-called
Pastors, buy Mansions for them, build Multi-Million Dollar Mega
Churches, Travel First Class, buy Designer Clothes worth
thousands of dollars for the “Man and Woman of God”, purchase
expensive Vacation tickets, Cruise the World all in the Name of
Prosperity and Preaching the Gospel…that is Evil
Stewardship…Jesus Christ makes NO contradiction with this
Parable…
>>If you are NOT faithful with another man’s riches (meaning
this world’s riches; if you would like to see it so, ‘another
man’ could represent the Corporate Body of the Rich Men of this
Earth) how can you be trusted with Riches from Heaven?
>>If you are Covetous, Greedy, Materialistic, and Self-indulgent
over the riches of this world, how can you be Trusted with the
Pure Riches of Heaven?
>>The Parable is NOT speaking about managing Money in the world
to get rich, wealthy, famous and prosperous like the Prosperity
Teachers claim…this Parable should be seen in Context of Luke
16:13-15…
>>If it is taken out of this context then it becomes
gobbledygook and junk from the Prosperity Movement camp…
Luke 16:13-15
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.
(14)
And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these
things: and they derided him.
(15) And
he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before
men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly
esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
>>Jesus Christ was speaking about faithful and godly Stewardship
that focuses on doing the Will of the Father in Heaven and not
Man in this Parable above…
>>Jesus Christ reiterates that you cannot serve Mammon and
God…the above parable should be seen in this Context…
>>You will either Serve Mammon and despise God or Serve God and
DESPISE Mammon…
>>As a matter of fact the Pharisees who were covetous (similar
to our Prosperity Movement) were offended at Jesus Christ’s
words…
>>The Pharisee Prosperity Movement DERIDED Jesus Christ over the
words He said just like they do today as they try skimpy
apologetics to defend their love of money…
>>Listen to this…Jesus told them that they SEEK Justification
from Men! Was Jesus Christ seeing our present day Prosperity
Purpose Driven Movements?
>>Jesus Christ added that which is HIGHLY ESTEEMED AMONG
MEN IS AN ABOMINATION BEFORE GOD! Wow!
>>Is not the present day Purpose Driven and Prosperity Movement
Highly Esteemed among Men?
>>Is not their Doctrine geared towards winning FAVORS before the
world and not offending the world with the Gospel of the Cross?
>>It not the Church Growth Movement Doctrine one that seeks to
be friends with the world and such the coining of the word
“Seeker Friendly Churches”?
>>How much clear can this get?
>>I give simple African advice, Flee that Purpose Driven,
Prosperity, and Church Growth Movement; it is highly
esteemed before Men and it is an abomination
before God!
Luke 16:19-31
There was a certain rich
man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared
sumptuously every day: (20)
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at
his gate, full of sores,
(21) And desiring to be fed with
the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the
dogs came and licked his sores.
(22)
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by
the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was
buried; (23)
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth
Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
(24)
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and
send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water,
and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
(25)
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime
receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things:
but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
(26)
And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf
fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot;
neither can they pass to us, that
would come
from thence.
(27)
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest
send him to my father's house:
(28)
For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest
they also come into this place of torment.
(29)
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let
them hear them.
(30)
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from
the dead, they will repent.
(31)
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
>>Did Jesus Christ not say blessed are the poor in spirit for
they shall inherit the Kingdom of God?
>>Is it not interesting that the teaching in this above parable
makes a comparison between the Poor Lazarus and the Rich
Luxurious and Plush Man?
>>The Rich Luxurious Man refused to use his Riches to care for
the poor of this earth…
>>The Rich Man despised Lazarus and refused to be a Faithful and
Good godly Steward with the riches he had…
>>The Rich Man simply lived a lifestyle similar to that of many
TBN and other Televangelists today…a life of pomp, flashiness,
ravenousness, cupidity, materialism, while Hating and Despising
the Poor of the earth…
>>Was this not a comparison between the Pharisees and the Poor
in Context of the whole Luke 16 chapter?
>>Many of us make a mistake of thinking that the Pharisees are
those who dwell in Rome and the Catholic Church but I tell you
we have many big time Pharisees today in the Purpose Driven
Prosperity Evangelical Movement…
>>This above parable is a severe and dreadful warning to ALL in
the Purpose Driven and Prosperity Movement…unless they REPENT;
they face the danger of Eternal HELL!
>>Unless the Rich Men of the Earth and those who love to acquire
wealth REPENT, they are headed on a straight path to Hell…
>>Make no Mistake about it; Jesus Christ was Serious with His
‘WOE unto the you who are RICH’!
>>Let this be a warning to you ALL in these False and
Satanic Movements many love to call Purpose Driven,
Prosperity and Church Growth Movements…REPENT NOW!
>>You have heard the Prophets The Lord has sent, you have been
warned but you still refuse to repent because you love the world
and love money…Woe unto you who are Rich! Repent Before it is
too late!
Luke 18:18-25
And a certain ruler asked
him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal
life? (19)
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none
is
good, save one, that is,
God.
(20)
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not
kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father
and thy mother. (21)
And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
(22)
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest
thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the
poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow
me. (23)
And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very
rich.
(24)
And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How
hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of
God! (25)
For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than
for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
>>So, it does not stop at being pious or religious, a church
attendee, a thither, and practicing all that Christendom has
instituted as tradition while storing riches for oneself on
earth…
>>Jesus Christ told the Rich Young Ruler to go and sell all that
he had and give ALL the proceeds to the Poor…
>>Jesus Christ gives advice to All the Rich of the Earth that
are Pious and call themselves Christians especially in the
present Prosperity Movement…go sell what you have stored up and
give ALL the proceeds to the Poor and you will have Treasures
stored in Heaven…
>>Materialism has no place in the heart of a True Christian and
those who worship in Spirit and in Truth…
Luke 19:2-10
And, behold,
there was
a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans,
and he was rich. (3)
And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the
press, because he was little of stature.
(4)
And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see
him: for he was to pass that
way.
(5)
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and
said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day
I must abide at thy house.
(6)
And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
(7)
And when they saw it,
they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a
man that is a sinner. (8)
And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the
half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any
thing from any man by false accusation, I restore
him
fourfold.
(9)
And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this
house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
(10)
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was
lost.
>>Jesus Christ comes face to face with another Rich Man,
Zacchaeus…this Rich Man is different from the Rich Young Ruler
in Luke 18:18-25. This Rich Man is a sinner and has gotten
Riches some by false accusations since he is a tax collector…
>>Zacchaeus is not religious and not pious and he has not kept
the Ten Commandments like the Rich Young Ruler in Luke 18:18-25…
>>Zacchaeus is a sinner and when he invites Jesus Christ in his
house he gives half of his riches to the Poor and willing to
repay fourfold to any that he extorted…
>>The Rich Young Ruler stand to represent those who hide behind
the mask of Christianity Today and gather unto themselves riches
in greed and covetousness; these refuse to repent; they are
OFFENDED at Jesus Christ and His message to care for the Poor…if
they do care for the Poor, they do so for ill gain…for them
godliness is a means of gain…
>>Zacchaeus represents those in the world that repent and turn
away from sin of materialism and greed and give no excuses; they
also give half their riches to the Poor and repay any
extortion…salvation comes to them, these are the saved sons of
Abraham…
>>What a warning to those who call themselves Christians while
they covert riches with such selfish ferocious greed that makes
even those in the world marvel…
>>Riches, Materialism, and so-called Prosperity are a hindrance
to many on their way to Heaven…Riches, Materialism, Prosperity
and the Cares of this world are Thorns in the spiritual life of
a many Christians today that hinders them from spiritual growth
and Beholding Jesus Christ…
Revelation
2:14-17
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.
(15)
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans,
which thing I hate.
(16)
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight
against them with the sword of my mouth.
(17)
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the
hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone
a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that
receiveth it.
>>The False Doctrine of Balaam can be seen clearly in Numbers
22…
>>For Balaam made the Children of Israel eat things scarified
to Idols…today he would have made them basically to fall in
Love with the world, fame, wealthy, riches, money, popularity,
glamour, and all the delicacies the world has to offer at the
tip of Money or Mammon…The Idols represent all the Gold and
Silver, and or All Precious things that stand between us and The
Lord…that is Money, Riches, and the Cares of this evil world…
>>Remember Balaam Prophesied for Money; he expected rewards from
Balac…such are many of our TBN Prosperity Preachers Today…Balaam
Preachers who teach the Doctrine of Balaam, which is the
Prosperity and Purpose Driven Doctrines…
>>The Doctrine of The Nicolaitanes went hand in hand with the
Doctrine of Balaam…
>>The Nicolaitanes Doctrine was a One Man Priest, Shepherd,
Pastor Ministry in which this one man controlled all the affairs
of the Church…there was no Five fold ministry as in Ephesians 4;
there was no allowing of other giftings and administrations of
the Holy Spirit and only the Pastor was answerable to himself…it
was his ministry and church…
>>The Nicolaitanes Doctrine was basically Elitism in the Church.
Only the “Anointed” Pastor or the “Man of God” served and
controlled the Church with an Iron hand...putting to dormancy
the Gifts of others and the five-fold ministry…sounds familiar?
>>Well, now we know why the Nicolaitanes Doctrine goes hand in
hand with the Doctrine of Balaam or the Prosperity Gospel…it is
ALL ABOUT MONEY and SERVING MAMMON…
Revelation 3:14-20
And unto the angel of the
church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the
faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of
God; (15)
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would
thou wert cold or hot.
(16)
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I
will spue thee out of my mouth.
(17)
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and
have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched,
and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
(18)
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou
mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed,
and that
the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes
with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
(19)
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore,
and repent. (20)
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my
voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup
with him, and he with me.
>>The Laodicean Church is no different from the Purpose Driven
and Prosperity Churches of Today, it is no different from the
TBN Televangelists and their pomp; no different from the rich
and affluent Multi Million Dollar Mega Churches of today; no
different from ALL who call themselves Christians while they are
in Love with this present Evil World, using the Bible as a
Pretext…
>>It is a complete O | |
