The Amazing Prosperity of Truth

by Al Taylor
Posted on 11/18/02

Historians call it “redemptive lift.” For two thousand years individuals and nations have experienced the lift, which comes from faith in Christ and commitment to live by His Word. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. His Word is true, and it reveals Him to us. When we are committed to His way we will think, speak, and act in agreement with His Word. Then He can trust us with true prosperity: “...all sufficiency in all things that we may abound to every good work” (II Corinthians 9:8).

“Redemptive lift” does not come because we seek better circumstances; it comes because we seek Christ. “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Conversely, if we seek first the increase of things, we lose the Kingdom. Or, if we seek the Kingdom of God without seeking His righteousness, then we can obtain neither.

God created us for success. There is no wonder then that we desire to succeed. God gives us considerable instruction on the essential steps we must take to achieve true success. In this brief study we shall review those pertinent scriptures. However, we would do well to also learn God’s definitions and examples of success, since people of the world would prefer that we use their definitions. We know the world’s counsel can only lead us to ultimate failure and death. Its definitions are often pernicious deceptions. God’s Word, by contrast, is guaranteed by His integrity and power. God always leads us to life and good success.

I. GOD PROMISES BLESSING TO ABRAHAM

In Genesis chapter 12:1-3 God calls Abraham to make a great sacrifice. He was to
leave his own country; he was to leave his kindred; and he was to leave his father’s house. All of us who love our home country, our kindred, and our parents know what a great sacrifice God had asked Abraham to make. Willingness to sacrifice is a proper attitude in approaching the Creator God. He commands that we have no other gods before Him. Abraham’s life revealed that he obeyed this truth. He was never willing to permit the created realm to come between him and the Creator:

• He willingly left his homeland to obey God’s call to go to the place God would show him.

• To settle a dispute, Abraham gave Lot first choice of the land God had promised to Abraham. He demonstrated his commitment to depend upon God rather than real estate.

• When he pursued and defeated the four armies of Chedorlaomer, he paid tithes to Melchizedic on the great wealth captured and then gave the remaining wealth away to those in need. He testified that he did not want anyone to ever be confused about God being his source. He would gladly give away the newly acquired wealth to protect God’s reputation as his Provider and to protect his relationship with God as the preeminent Person in his life.

• Abraham willingly offered his beloved son Isaac to show that he would withhold nothing from God.

Yes, the Bible records the covenant of blessing that God made with Abraham. The blessings are contingent upon Abraham’s obedience. The New Testament tells us Christ has made it possible for the blessing of Abraham to come upon the Gentiles (Gal. 3:14). It is just as important for us to keep the divine priorities and obey God’s Word as it was for Abraham.

II. JESUS’ WORD ON WEALTH

In Matthew 13, Jesus taught us about the different kinds of soil and their subsequent responses to the seed sown as a type of illustration regarding the varied conditions of our hearts and how we respond to the Word of God. The last condition He described was the seed which fell among the thorns. Then in verse 22 He described for us the understanding: “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.” Fortunately for us, we do not have to decipher His meaning. He told us. All we must do is apply the Word to our lives.

In Mark 10:17-27 Jesus gave us another valuable lesson from a real life experience. We refer to it simply as “the rich young ruler.” However, the truths presented to us are priceless. This was a very religious young man. He testified that he had kept the commandments of God from his youth up. The Bible said that Jesus loved this young man. He loved him enough to deal with his greatest need: Jesus said there is one thing you lack. He instructed him to sell his possessions and give it to the poor, then come and follow Christ. Of course, you will recall the young man couldn’t do it. Why? Because he loved his possessions more than he loved God. The young man went away sorrowfully, “for he had great possessions." It could just as correctly have been said that his possessions had him, for indeed they did.

In Jesus’ commentary to His disciples, He further elaborated that it is extremely difficult for those who have great riches to enter the Kingdom of God. It is because we have such a strong tendency to “trust in (our) riches.” If money is our security rather than God, then money becomes our god. There are many problems with that perversity. For one thing, money cannot save us. For another, when money becomes that important to us, we have entered into idolatry.

III. PAUL’S WORD ON MONEY

“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (I Timothy 6:9-10).

• Setting a goal to be rich is an unworthy goal for a Christian. If we are faithful to God’s direction for our lives He may choose to entrust us with wealth. But, we should seek Him, not wealth.

• To set a goal of wealth is to set temptation and a trap for ourselves. It is to choose spiritual death and the eternal consequences of drowning in destruction and perdition.

• THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL is the love of money. Solomon said money answers all things. In other words, money represents all “things” as a medium of exchange. You may acquire virtually anything with money. That does not make money bad. What makes it bad is loving it. We are to love God first, then our neighbors as ourselves. To love money is to give one’s heart to idolatry (loving creation more than the Creator). When we forsake the good influence of God we will then become overwhelmed by the world, the flesh, and the devil. Without God’s guidance we are led into things we would never have considered while we were serving God. Life is filled with such examples, as is scripture. Cain loved his possessions too much to give God the appropriate portion and priority. He moved from that sin to murder of his own brother. The Word of God says that the love of money is the root of all evil. History says the same thing. We must take care that it is not also proved by our lives.

IV. THE APOSTLE PETER’S MESSAGE TO US

The Holy Spirit knows all things. He inspired Peter to write to us about a problem that would be recurring in the church of Jesus Christ. It seemed so unlikely that church leaders would ever fall in love with money. After all, didn’t the first church at Jerusalem set a new standard in giving? They gave all their possessions for God’s use. That is everyone did except for Ananias and Sapphira. How could this selfless attitude in the hearts of Christ’s followers be corrupted? It not only happened, it has been repeated again and again down through the centuries. Perhaps we are now seeing the most blatant display of this error that has ever occurred. The rise of mass media communications opportunities allows a person who loves money to reach such large numbers of people that millions of dollars can be received in a very short period of time. The temptation has proved entirely too great for some who have been called to do the work of Christ. Once this breach has been made it is easy for that individual to use the abilities and influence God has given for ministry to instead fleece sincere people for their money. Backslidden ministers can still use their gifts and influence in a cruel exploitation of those people who listen to them and give. “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans 11:29). We are all tempted to judge these backslidden ministers by their gifts (many of them can dazzle an audience with their charisma) but Jesus said we were to judge them by their fruit. That is a much more reliable indicator of their spiritual condition (those who prefer to present themselves to the audience and talk about the great things they are doing instead of presenting Christ and magnifying the Savior for the great things He is doing are bearing bad fruit indeed).

America has had a great problem with this breach of faith. Several ministries have relied upon the prosperity heresy to take advantage of good-hearted people in the television audience. Because the church has been reluctant to condemn this error, God has used the world to bring judgment against the egregious practices of some worldwide ministries. One of these ministers has since repented and written a book titled, I Was Wrong. There will be more exposures to God’s judgment for this travesty. Yet we are likely to have this problem around until Jesus comes to take His church home to be with Him.

We can rest assured that there are legitimate ministries that are worthy of our support. They do not have to turn aside to heresies, but the temptation for great wealth is simply too much for many of them to resist. It is incumbent upon those of us who give to support ministries to be informed and prayerful. We are accountable to God for all of life and every resource. He does not want us supporting wickedness no matter how much it disguises itself as ministry. Our giving should always be according to the principles of the Bible. We should ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as to where we give and how much we give. We should ask for and receive a proper accounting of each ministry we support.

Here is what the Apostle Peter wrote about this problem: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not” (II Peter 2:1-3).

Peter reminds us that in the Old Testament days there existed a persistent problem with false prophets. Those false prophets did not represent God, but the people were susceptible to their deceitfulness. They would prophesy for money. They would say what the king wanted to hear. They would ingratiate themselves with people by telling them what they loved to hear. They did not deliver God’s Word, either because they were backslidden and could not hear from God, or because they were simply religious hucksters who had never known God. Then Peter warns us that there shall be “false teachers” among you. Through this inspired writing the Holy Spirit has put us on notice that the devil would attempt to undermine people of faith in Christ through the teaching ministry of “false teachers.” It is easily verifiable that the “prosperity heresy” has come from those who present themselves as teachers. We have also been advised, by God’s Word, that these false teachers would be “among us.” These false teachers do not have to be imported. Satan can and will raise up people among us to teach these errors. And, how shall they teach? Peter answers that question for us, too.

They “privily shall bring in damnable heresies.” These false teachers do not warn us that they are about to present heresy. They do not submit to the authority of God’s Word. Nor do they submit to those who are adequately trained in the scriptures. They do not present a balanced rendering of scripture. Instead, they prefer to wrest verses out of context and give them new meaning. They ignore the scriptures which refute their error, or give them a new interpretation. For example, I have seen them reinterpret Jesus’ words: “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). Their new interpretation explains that Jesus was decrying that “in Samaria” He had no house to live in, but over in Judea He had a house so big that His entire entourage could live with Him.

Why would such a new and novel interpretation be applied to the Words of Jesus at this time after centuries of acceptance of His obvious meaning? They seek to legitimatize their own covetousness by this device. However, that reinterpretation doesn’t resolve their dilemma. The Apostle Paul told us in II Corinthians 8:9, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye though his poverty might be rich.” There are many other problems with this attempt to redefine Christ as wealthy in worldly terms, but perhaps these two scriptures will suffice for now to show that there is not room for this kind of misrepresentation.

What is the scriptural summary for these false teachings, “damnable heresies”? What is damnable heresy? Heresy is teaching that is in conflict with the counsel of scripture. Damn-able means that which produces death including eternal death. So, the scripture warns us that these false teachers will teach errors so egregious that they can actually deliver the teachers and their followers into hell.

“...even denying the Lord that bought them.” False teachers may have had a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at one time. But, He is the Lord who purchased them whether they have ever known Him or not. “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself” (II Corinthians 5:19). Christ has purchased all of us by His shed blood whether or not we accept His marvelous gift of life and forgiveness. When we accept Him as Lord we must intentionally stay under His Lordship, under His authority. The false teacher will deny His Lordship and rebel against His authority of necessity. Jesus is Truth. We cannot be under the authority of The Truth while teaching untruth.

“...and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” This is the biblical guarantee that these false teachers will experience God’s swift and sure judgment. Swift in the original language also means impending. These false teachers may continue on for years, but their judgment is resolutely impending. Likewise, destruction means “ruin” either physical, spiritual, or eternal. God is aware of this offense. It will receive His judgment. Many have already come under judgment for this sin. Hopefully, they will repent before the judgment becomes eternal.

“And many shall follow their pernicious ways.” God’s prophecies are always astounding, but isn’t it interesting that He told us this particular false teaching was going to be popular? And, indeed it is. In our world, which loves money so much, a doctrine that promises lots of money will have great appeal. Now that television, radio, and mass mailings are used to promote it, millions of people are tempted to cash in on the proffered easy money. I have enjoyed recommending a counter offer for those who are on the receiving end of the prosperity pitch. It works like this if you ever wish to try it. When you receive the invitation to give to a false teacher in exchange for a one-hundred fold return or some other fantastic increase, simply return the offer with this message: “I invite you to send me $1,000.00 right away so that you will receive the one-hundred fold return as a result of your gift to me.” Of course, I can guarantee that you will not hear from your counter offer and for a very simple reason: the false teacher doesn’t believe what he is saying in the first place. If he did, he couldn’t wait to give to you.

The next phrase declares, “by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.” These false teachers and their pernicious ways cause the “way of truth” to be slandered and maligned. Truth is criticized as ignorance and lack of faith. Those who support the truth are even told that they have a poverty mentality because they are not participating in “the get-rich-quick religious scheme.”

What is the motivation driving all of this false teaching and heresy? The scripture gives the answer. “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you.” Covetousness then is the motivation and it is a deadly fruit borne by the false teacher’s life. Because of the covetousness in the heart of such teachers they strive to inculcate the same in you so that you will be susceptible to their schemes. How does the Bible define covetousness? It tells us that it is idolatry (Ephesians 5:5, Colossians 3:5).

Covetousness desires things to which we are not entitled. The Bible warns us not to covet our neighbor’s wife nor anything which belongs to our neighbor. Strong’s concordance associates covetousness with avarice and fraud. The Bible defines it bluntly as idolatry. If I love any part of creation so much that I permit it to hinder my relationship with the Creator, I have begun to participate in idolatry. If I love things more than I love God then I will use God anyway that I can to try to obtain more of that which I truly love. If I am willing to “use” God to fulfill my covetous heart then you can be sure that I will also “use” you to get what I want. We should not be surprised that a covetous person will use fraud to take from us when that person has already defrauded himself in his relationship with God.

The current “love of money” chicanery, which the Christian community is exposed to on a daily basis, reveals how pervasive this error has become. Scripture said it would be popular. Its popularity and support by celebrity religious people do not diminish its danger. It is still idolatry. It is still a damning sin.

“And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you.” The prosperity heresy is driven by the covetousness of false teachers who work to raise up covetousness in the listener. Since Christ died to deliver us from covetousness we should find it easy to understand why His Word condemns this error so forcefully.

The false teachers of the prosperity heresy rely upon feigned words to “sell” their doctrine. Feigned means false. Their words are false because they do not submit to the truth of the Word of God. Instead, they prefer to shortcut the blessings of God; they prefer to push truth beyond its borders. They refuse to be accountable to the truth and the context of scripture. Although they use biblical terms, they are exploiting them for their own lusts and therefore they do not submit to the authority of the Word. The false teachers become an authority unto themselves. Therefore, the words they use are feigned words.

Another ploy of false teachers is to illustrate their teachings by telling exaggerated stories of great blessings upon those who have followed their teachings. These are also feigned words. The Bible is replete with wonderful stories of God’s blessings upon those faithful to His Word. The history of Christianity is also full of the stories of God’s faithfulness to His Word and to His people. These truths were not given to be used by men seeking personal gain to satisfy their covetousness.

Finally, they use feigned words by telling of the good purposes for which your gift will be used without telling you how much of the money will be diverted to their personal pleasure. In fact, some of them raise money for good purposes and give none of it to the purpose advertised. Either way, whether partial misrepresentation or complete misrepresentation, the words they use are feigned words.

These false teachers “make merchandise of you.” Merchandise is the stock of a merchant which he will sell for a profit. We are all familiar with the great sin of slavery. That is when people are sold for a profit. Their freedoms are taken away. They suffer greatly. Now Christians are faced with the horror that false teachers would make merchandise (slaves) of us. By their deceptions they take away our resources and the economic freedom which those resources provide. By their false teachings they crowd the truth out of our lives and we are stripped of the blessings and the freedom which truth brings. Worst of all, because these are damnable heresies, many will lose their souls through the inculcation of covetousness and disappointment. Because these false teachings will not produce blessing, many will think that God has failed them. To be sold as merchandise to the devil; to miss the blessing of eternity with Christ is the horrible prospect about which these scriptures are warning us. We must not be participants in this deadly heresy. The church must speak out and warn the innocent. We must pray for God’s protection upon the vulnerable. And, we can pray for the false teachers that they will repent and be delivered from their love of money.

I would urge you to continue this study. Spend time learning this second chapter of II Peter. It is a great admonition from the Holy Spirit regarding a problem that is destroying the lives of many. You can be protected by truth and you can be a protector for others by knowing the truth and sharing it with them.

Here are some questions you may wish to ask in response to each appeal for money, which comes to you:

• Is this appeal for a truly good cause?

• Is this person or organization operating in accordance with the Word of God?

• Are they accountable? In other words, can I verify how the money is managed and spent?

• Is this person or organization rich? The Bible commands us not to give to the rich (Proverbs 22:16).

• Does my own church do this ministry better?

• Have I prayed about this gift?

• Is the Holy Spirit directing me to do this?

• Is this person or organization attempting to deceive me in any way?

• What is my motivation: Am I responding to covetousness?

• Do I have God’s peace and my spouse’s agreement on this?

Summary

God delights in blessing. He forbids us to love material things. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (I John 2:15). He warns us: “The love of money is the root of all evil” (I Tim. 6:10). He commands us: “...love the Lord thy God...” (Matthew 22:37). If I love money and mammon I will try to use God to get more of the god I truly love (Luke 16:13). I will also use and abuse you if I love the possessions you have more than I love God or you. But, if I love God and my neighbor as myself, then I am free to use things to the glory of God. That is the true Christian life of stewardship.

“Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10).

Live by the Word of God. Walk in the Holy Spirit. You are blessed to be a blessing.