Galatians 1:9, “As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be anathema (accursed).”
In part one of what gospel do you believe, some groundwork was laid showing the framework of the real gospel is not the gospel that everyone is following these days. Paul was greatly disturbed recognizing that the Galatians in fact so quickly deserted the biblical Gospel for a different gospel.
Paul rebukes the Galatians for their departure of the true gospel for the false. Perhaps through these messages, if you have left the biblical gospel for a false one, you too may hear the words of Paul rebuking you as well, and repent quickly.
One of the “different gospels” in our day that is preached is surely the prosperity gospel. What is the basis for the prosperity gospel? Anyone who watches “TV evangelists” has no doubt heard the Prosperity Gospel. A central tenet of the prosperity gospel is that God wills the financial prosperity of every Christian. If a believer lives in poverty, he/she is living outside God’s intended will. “You must realize that it is God’s will for you to prosper” (Copeland, Laws of Prosperity, p. 51).– Source: Word-Faith Movement
, “Other Doctrines,” a Watchman Fellowship profile
Those that preach a prosperity gospel make some grave errors. First, isn’t it interesting that many of these preachers don’t preach this gospel in the poorest areas of the world, where “financial blessing” it most needed, places like Calcutta India. Secondly, the preachers are selfish and have vein conceit desiring you to send your faith seed (your money) to their ministry, or should I say their bank account? Thirdly, they actually make it harder for people to get into the Kingdom, because the Kingdom of God then comes with a financial price tag, not simply laying one’s life down to follow the Christ.
It would follow suit then, that Hollywood celebrities don’t need Jesus, because they are wealthy already. Is that a sign of God’s blessing on Hollywood out of their right relationship with the Father? Fourthly, why are these prosperity preachers most often not using the financial gifts they receive through manipulating people with the Word of God, to help the needy, to reach the unsaved? God can certainly flow finances through a believer, for what end? If anyone should have modeled a wealthy life, if according to the prosperity gospel, shouldn’t it have been Jesus? He was born in a stable not a palace, as he grew up in common Jewish family. Jesus made replied to one desiring to follow Him, “…The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20). This hardly sounds like the words of a wealthy man. Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Where are the prosperity preachers in their personal giving? Recall Peter when He was asked to give alms by a needy person, to which Peter replied, “…Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have given I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Peter gave the man the biblical gospel and demonstrated it in faith and power! Proverbs 11:4 states, “Riches profit not in the day of judgment, but righteousness delivers from death.” If a millionaire dies without the Savior his money will not impress God. Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell all he had to follow Christ. It wasn’t until the prodigal son lost all his money that he was humbled to repent toward God and his father.
The prosperity preachers are not preaching the biblical gospel. Recall Simon the Sorcerer wanting to buy the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter said, “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.” Perhaps you have been financially blessed of God, use it for His Glory and not your own. We are not to “name it and claim it!” He tells me what to do, not the reverse that is why He is Lord!
Here are some links to further investigate the dangers of the Prosperity Gospel and the preachers associated with this false gospel. Please be wise, let God be the Lord of your heart and finances. Perhaps there is someone that you could financially bless, expecting nothing in return. Our Father has a way of taking care of all of our needs, not our greed To be continued….
Until the nets are filled…Be watchful…Blessings, Pastor Phil <><
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosperity_Gospel
http://www.watchman.org/reltop/health$.htm
http://www.gotquestions.org/prosperity-gospel.html
http://www.trinityfi.org/press/latimes04.html
http://www.apologeticsindex.org/139-prosperity-teaching
He Has Magnified His Word 