PROSPERITY WITH A DARK PURPOSE - PART XI
"Those who continue in their sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that others may take warning." - 1 Timothy 5:20
"Error, indeed, is never set forth in its naked deformity, lest being thus exposed, it should at once be detected. But it is craftily decked out in an attractive dress, so as by its outward form, to make it appear to the inexperienced ... more true than truth itself." - Irenaeus of Lyons
Since these series of posts have come into existence taking somewhat a life of its own, some in hard copies, finding its way in the hands of many, some of those many have since labeled me as a 'Pastor Buster.' Whether meant to be a compliment or otherwise is just the same to me, and sometimes, it really gets tiring when people tell you that "pastors are human too," and my simple answer to them is "neither are they God that you should not question their motives." Well, fair enough, because I didn't think my former one was made of pure gold. I only expected him to be sincere. He simply turned out to be made of pure rust. And he remains part of the problem, not the solution. Shepherds should always set the example for the flock to emulate. For how can one act as medicine if internal contamination in one's body has already taken place? For rust, in time, will creep even into the strongest of steel and corrosion will be inevitable. Take a closer look at some of his closest followers. They already reason out like him, tolerant towards his sin, even sacrificing originality by quoting the same Bible passages over and over again. If labeling is the order of the day for me, so be it. For if that be I, then shall I gladly live the tag well, if only to expose the false teachers amongst us. Whether he be a 'Prophet of Prosperity,' an 'Architect of Abundance,' or an 'Instructor of Increase,' in my book, he still is a 'Pastor of Pretense.'
Where does he get all the momentum and guts to persevere in his falsehood? Well, a juggernaut consisting of a great multitude of wolves in "decked out" sheep's clothing has cleverly infiltrated today's Christian churches for the sole purpose of preying, rather than praying, on their unsuspecting victims. Some of these pastors even moonlight now as networkers selling wares that totally defy Scriptures. There will always be strength in numbers. How did this happen? In consequence of indifference, emotionalism, and ministerial idolization, most Christians today are not paying attention to Jesus' warning that there will be many false teachers in the church during these last days (Matthew 24:4-5). Learning how to detect heretical doctrines (1 Timothy 4:16, 2 Timothy 4:3) hasn't really been a priority for many believers. In fact, doctrinal discernment is almost completely void. To a certain extent, this predicament thas been kindled from the false teachers' inappropriate and antagonistic use of "Judge not" and "Touch not the Lord's anointed." This is simply a 'terror strategy' designed to keep congregations in their place. As a result, we now have well-meaning believers who are simply unequipped to discern the true from the false. The light from darkness. The wolf from the shepherd.
When speaking of false teachers, it has become the practice of many believers to conceive that the implication is in reference to those outside the Christian community. On the contrary, believers are repeatedly warned to be on guard against falsehood within the church. It is those who allege to come in Christ's name, seemingly confessing the Lord as their Savior. It is this type of pretense coupled with seductive entertainment from the pulpit and self-empowerment and prosperity sermons that has contributed to the acceptance of false leaders in church.
With that, I encourage and challenge you to study and draw a comparison between Scriptures and the pastor of your church. The Berean Christians who were of noble character, "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things (which Paul taught) were so" (Acts 17:11). In the same way, it should be our responsibility to diligently search and test the teachings of the leadership in our respective churches without partiality. It is my belief that any pastor who cannot stand the test of investigation and challenge should be approached with circumspection. As a result of these posts, I anticipate receiving inflamed responses from their pastor's zealous supporters. While some readers of these posts may be offended, we must understand that Godly love never rules out correction. Godly love for people never signifies disregard for truth as not to "rock the boat." Proverbs 27:5 says it clearly, "Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed." Godly love for people does not signify that we engage in self-imposed blindness, tolerating false doctrine in order to maintain unity. Sad, as many now have been "optically challenged" by his pulpit antics and shallow showmanship. At the end of the day, it all sums up to essence and substance. A failing mark for him in this aspect. Psalm 119:104 says, "Through Your precepts I get understanding, therefore, I hate every false way." Thus, failing to expose and separate (Ephesians 5:8-11) from the wolves in sheepskin simply permits them to have a "field day" on unsuspecting, naive, and idolatrous sheep. The wolves who quote and attempt to hide under Psalms 105:15, Matthew 7:1, and Romans 14:4 are so filled with greed that they don't want to see errors of their ways and the inconsistencies in judging others who have an obligation to investigate what is taught from the pulpit (Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16, 4:2-5, 1 John 4:1).
As a clear and concise refutation to this misleading prosperity doctrine, let's take note of the following crucial points regarding those false teachers who claim that Godliness is a means to financial gain, as well as the true definition of biblical prosperity:
1. They are conceited (have you noticed their arrogance? They call it confidence).
2. They know nothing. (The blind leading the blind) Matthew 15:14, Mark 7:7-9, 2 Cor. 11:13-15
3. They are men of corrupt minds who lack the truth (They distort the truth and reject correction - sounds familiar?) 2 Timothy 4:3-4
4. They are greedy and believe that Godliness is a source of financial gain. 2 Cor. 2:17
5. We should not have fellowship with them.
6. True riches are Godliness (spiritual richness in Christ) coupled with contentment. Heb. 13:5
7. The Bible says that we should be content with food and clothing (basic living essentials). To these false teachers, that means large bank accounts, large houses, luxury cars etc.
8. The strong temptation of greed will cause them to fall into a snare, in a manner similar to drug addiction, they will defend and hold on to their false doctrine despite clear evidence that refutes their shady position.
In summary, (1 Timothy 6:3-10): From God's point of view, true gain (prosperity) is attained when one lives a Godly life and becomes content with their material possessions. Granted there are a number of Christians who have been blessed with much wealth and other material things, however, this is never the state or criteria one must reach to be recognized as prosperous by Biblical terms. He says, "you need to be prosperous and moneyed to be able to help the poor, otherwise, how can you help them?" That's the height of bull if you ask me. As expected from a fly's favorite landing area. There are many other ways to help the poor. Money is only one among many ways. God's word alludes to believers who were materially poor, as well as those who were materially rich. Thus, we cannot offer poverty nor wealth as an absolute prescriptive pertaining to Godliness. To do otherwise would lead to an out of context and unbalanced view of Scriptures. In their greed , they use the Bible to focus on men who are wealthy while concurrently ignoring Scriptures that clearly illustrate that some believers are poor. Observe his uncomfortable behavior when a poor man attends his church or trainings. He will immediately have this mindset that we must first reach out to the wealthy to be able to reach out later on to the poor. Another bull if you ask me, for when does one stop reaching out to the wealthy and begin reaching out to the poor? Thus, they "cherry-pick" other portions of Scripture and mold them in a manner that suits their self-indulgent agenda - and that is to fleece the flock. It is thus very clear that his so-called prosperity gospel is a doctrine that Christ would strongly reject. And while it is true that some believers have been conditioned to accept poverty, this shouldn't mean that we must readily embrace the crooked justification to develop a doctrine that is not biblically sound. Lastly, teachers like him do not take kindly to being challenged. They demand everyone submit to their authoritarian rule by simply saying "OBEY ME!" in a Gestapo-like fashion. This really makes him a "German Shepherd," don't you agree? Believe me, I should know, for those were his very words to me when I politely questioned one of his decisions without even giving me any explanation whatsoever. Their corrupt agenda entails taking advantage of those who are unskilled in biblical interpretation. When confronted by one who is proficient in proper biblical truth, they use evasive tactics and resort to threats rather than offer constructive dialogue, as if almost saying: "Do not touch My anointed one, and do My prophets no harm." (Psalm 105:15), "Judge not, that you be not judged." (Matthew 7:1), "Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand." (Romans 14:4). And so, not only do these false teachers deprive proper Scriptural discernment through fear tactics. They have also mentally conditioned their devoted followers to parrot these verses to anyone who criticizes their pastor. To question their "man of God" would mean to them as questioning God Himself. This is an apparent defense among cult leaders and their wayward sheep. Sad, but true. I end with this reminder:
"But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets." - Luke 6:24-26
