“I will give you the riches of the world” is the message, that is preached in many churches today. The modern gospel has been changed into a prosperity gospel for the carnal man. Everything revolves around man and the prosperity and riches of the carnal man. The motivational sermons and carnal doctrines, that are preached are focused upon the wealth, material possessions, and financial success of people and to get as much as possible, so that they can lead a comfortable peaceful life in the abundance of wealth.
In order to substantiate this modern doctrine of man, many scriptures from the Bible, especially from the Old Testament, are quoted, changed, and twisted. And because of that, the gospel is being misused for the enrichment of the carnal man, so that the carnal man can live after the lusts and desires of the flesh and satisfy them.
God is a Provider and He ensures that His children have no lack. That’s what He promises His children. But…. God also knows the power of money and wealth and what money and wealth can do with the life of a person.
Money is needed in daily life and serves as a tool, but it must not become an idol, and people should not rely on their possessions and put their trust in money and riches. And it’s certainly not right, to use the precious gospel as a tool to get money, (material) possessions, and wealth.
Praying and fasting for money, financial success and an increase of earthly possessions only prove that a person is not born again and lives after the flesh. The carnal person is focused upon the things of this world and also seeks and longs for the things of this world.
The words of God or the words of the devil?
“I will give you the riches of the world” are very similar to the words, which the devil spoke to Jesus when he tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. The devil possessed all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, including the riches of the world, and he had the power to give them to Jesus. He didn’t lie about that, because Jesus didn’t say that the devil was telling a lie. But if the devil really would have given it to Jesus, that’s a whole different story.
But the devil possessed the kingdoms and could have given it, to whom he wanted. The only thing that Jesus had to do, to receive all the kingdoms of the earth and their glory, was to bow down for the devil. Everything could be His, without walking the difficult path of God with strive, temptations, resistance, persecution, and rejection of man, that would end in the crucifixion.
Even if it sounded so good, Jesus knew the devil and his nature and discerned his plan. Because his tactic wasn’t changed and he had tried the same with Adam, the son of God. Jesus knew what the devil tried to do because Jesus was a danger and threat to the devil and his kingdom.
And that’s why the devil tried to tempt Jesus by using God’s words and take them out of their context in order to use them for Himself; for His own benefit and to fulfill the lusts and desires of His flesh.
Therefore, the devil tried to tempt Jesus by using God’s Word to still the hunger of His flesh, to prove Himself as Son of God (because the carnal man always wants to prove himself) and by tempting Him with kingdoms of this world and their glory, so that He would become mighty and wealthy and fulfill the lusts, desires, and greed of the flesh (Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13).
But Jesus belonged to another Kingdom and His heart belonged to God. He had laid down His flesh and therefore He didn’t walk after the lusts and desires of the flesh. He knew the will of God and therefore He didn’t use the words of God for Himself; for personal gain and to fulfill the carnal lusts and desires of His flesh and for His own carnal prosperity. Instead, Jesus used the words of God to preach and bring His Kingdom to the people of God so that His Kingdom would be established on earth.
The devil knew, that if Jesus would have listened to his words and obeyed his words, in order to satisfy His own carnal lusts and desires, Jesus would have bowed before him and left the commandment of God (Deuteronomy 6:13). He would have listened to His flesh and allowed His flesh to reign over Him and therefore He would have submitted Himself to the devil, who reigns in the sin nature of the flesh. But Jesus knew that you cannot serve two gods, it is either One or the other. Every person has a choice to stay loyal to God and let the spirit reign or to stay loyal to the devil and let the flesh reign.
Bow before the devil
Although Jesus has taken the keys from the devil and has all authority in heavens and on earth, and the devil is judged (John 16:11), the devil still has the ability to manifest himself as the ruler of this world. After all, Jesus called the devil the prince of this world (John 12:31, John 16:11). And although Jesus called him that before His crucifixion and resurrection, after His resurrection the apostles also called the devil the prince of the power of the air and the god of this world (Ephesians 2:2, 2 Corinthians 4:4).
Every person makes a choice to live in the dominion of the Kingdom of God and under the authority of Jesus Christ, or to live in the dominion of the kingdom of darkness; the kingdom of this world, and under the authority of the devil.
There are many believers, who unlike Jesus, bow for the devil and believe his words and use the gospel to satisfy their carnal lusts and desires.
The devil comes as an angel of light and many believers fall for his acting traits and trap into his lies and don’t discern him from Jesus.
As long as a person keeps living after the flesh according to the sinful nature, the person stays under the authority of the devil and is controlled by the kingdom of darkness. The more people belong to the devil and his kingdom, the more power he has on this earth.
A person can call himself or herself a Christian, visit a church, has a Bible college or university degree, have earned a doctorate or received an honorary doctorate, and do charity works, but all these things don’t make a person a son of God.
A person can believe in Jesus and that He is the Son of God, but the devil and the demons also believe that, and they are not saved.
A person belongs to the one (s)he listens to
A person belongs, to the one (s)he listens to and whose words, advice, and counsel (s)he follows. The people, who listen to the words of the world, belong to the world and walk after the flesh. They are focused on money and financial success and be led by the power of greed and riches, just like the world.
The world is focused on the riches of the world and wants to live in the abundance of wealth and wants to possess as many riches and (material) possessions as possible. They will never be satisfied and therefore it will never be enough. Because when they are wealthy, their lusts and desires of the flesh are still not met, and they still want more.
They look and compare themselves with others, who have more possessions than they have and become envious and jealous, and want to have what they have.
There are people, who have high debts, only because they were led by the power of greed.
Others love money and are so greedy for more money, that they violate moral rules and laws, and embezzle money and steal, in order to get what they want and long for.
Due to the fact, that many churches have allowed the spirit of this world into the church, we see the same behavior among many believers. There is hardly any difference between the believers and the world. The purpose in the lives of people, who belong to the world, has become the same purpose for many believers
The deception and danger of riches
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
The riches of the world may seem so wonderful, but in reality, are deceptive. Because it can cause people to become prideful, high-minded and cause them to put their trust in riches instead of God. And when they receive, what they wanted, they are still not satisfied, but only want more. It is never enough.
It is sad to see, that so many people don’t look at what they have and be thankful, but always look at what they don’t have.
They are so focused on the things, that according to them, they are lacking, that it controls their lives.
But if you are continuously focused upon the carnal things of this world and allow those things to control your mind and life, you will never mature as a son of God.
Because every word of God, that should bear fruit, shall be choked and eventually die. Jesus shows us what the deceitfulness of riches can do with a person in the parable of the sower and the four kinds of soul, which symbolizes the four kinds of lives of believers, wherein the Seed of God is being sowed.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. (Matthew 13:22, Mark 4:19, Luke 8:14)
What does the Word say?
The Word says, that in the last days perilous times shall come and that man, including preachers, shall be among others, lovers of their own selves and covetous (2 Timothy 3:1-2). And that’s so true! Because when you look at the lives of people and listen to the most popular message, that is preached and draw many people, is the same message that is preached by the world, namely: how can I become financially successful and get as much money, riches (wealth) and material possessions as possible on this earth.
The preachers, who preach this message don’t call the people to repentance, like the prophets, Jesus, and the followers of Jesus preached.
They don’t’ call the believers to sanctification and to live holy lives unto God after His will. But they approve and allow those things, that go against God’s will and are an abomination to Him and they disapprove the will of God. They call evil good and good evil. And so, they turn evil into good and good into evil, and because of that instead of pleasing the Lord, they weary the Lord.
They are not willing to lay down their flesh and therefore they adjust the Word of God to their lives and the way they want to live. By doing that, they change the truth into a lie. They apply the spiritual principles to the enrichment and prosperity of the carnal man, while the Word clearly instructs the believers to lay down to old man; the flesh, with all its sinful lusts and desires.
The root of all evil is the love of money
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 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 (1 Timothy 6:7-12).
How many times do believers, including preachers, say that money is not evil, but the love of money is evil. But if you are constantly focused on money and constantly talking and preaching about money, and how to get more money and wealth and become financially successful, isn’t that called the love of money? If you are never satisfied with what you have, but always want more and more, and keep begging for money, isn’t that called the love of money?
Gather treasures in heaven and not on earth
The Word teaches us, to gather treasures in heaven and not on the earth. Because where your treasure is, there your heart will be (Mat 6:19-21). While the modern prosperity preachers are not focused upon the spiritual and to gather treasures in heaven but motivate and teach the believers to gather as many treasures upon this earth as possible.
You cannot serve two masters
In the parable of the unrighteous steward, Jesus says, that you cannot serve two masters, for he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Therefore you cannot God (Spirit) and Mammon (flesh) (Lu 16:9-14).
When the Pharisees, who were covetous, heard the words of Jesus, they derided Him or in other words, they ridiculed Him. This also happens in our age with preachers and believers, who stay faithful to the Word, and don’t go along with the modern preachings of prosperity and hyper-grace, in which everything is allowed and approved and whereby money, material possessions, and wealth are the centers of attention. They are accused of being religious or legalistic, while in reality they just do what the Word tells them to do and represent the Kingdom of God.
How hardly shall they, who have riches enter the Kingdom of God
After Jesus spoke to the rich man, who asked Him about eternal life, Jesus said unto His disciples: How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 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! 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. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible (Mark 10:23-27, Luke 18:24)
Although the rich man kept the law, his heart and therefore his life, belonged to his possessions. Jesus says:
Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth (Luke 12:15)
After Peter told Jesus, that they had given up everything for Him and followed Him, Jesus said:
Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life (Mark 10:29-30)
In these verses, we read that God will provide for those, who follow Jesus and leave everything behind for His sake and the gospel. However, Jesus also said, that they would be persecuted, because of Him and the gospel.
Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness
God is a Provider, and He shall provide His sons; the born again believers, in everything they need (Lu 12:31). We also see this in the lives of Jesus, the apostles, and believers. However, we don’t read anything about using the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God to satisfy the carnal lusts and desires. Because the Word instructs us to lay down the flesh when you are crucified and risen in Jesus Christ.
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? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 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 (Matthew 6:30-34)
The Word says, to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and that all things, that you need in life, will be added unto you. The secret of this message is, that if you have laid down your flesh and have found the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, you won’t’ be focused on yourself anymore and your flesh, wealth, and the enrichment of yourself, and therefore return to the weak and beggarly elements of the world, but you shall be focused upon Jesus Christ and preaching and establishing the Kingdom of God on this earth. You shall trust God and not ask and beg for money. But you shall be grateful and thank Him because you know that He will provide in everything you need and that you don’t have to worry.
The gospel misused to get money and wealth
The doctrine of the prosperity gospel attracts many people, because who doesn’t want to become rich and wealthy? Many churches, who preach this doctrine, have become mega-churches full of carnal people. But making a decision to follow Jesus on the basis of prosperity, riches, and wealth in the natural world, is not the right basis for repentance.
It happens so many times, that believers build their faith upon the words and experiences of preachers, and when the promises of the preachers don’t come to pass in their lives, they become disappointed and frustrated and eventually become apostate and leave ‘the faith’. Why? Because they didn’t get what they were promised and what they longed for, namely money, material possessions, and wealth.
Some preachers talk constantly about money, material possessions, and financial success and use many Old Testament scriptures, in which God was dealing with a carnal people, whose spirit was still dead and was not raised from the dead. They change and twist the scriptures in the New Testament, that talk about the spiritual heritage and the riches in Christ, to sustain their message and encourage the people through their sermons, to give more money in faith, so that they will also receive more money back (including the preacher). Many times, when the offer is being taken a motivational speech is given about an experience, whereby the person was ‘blessed’ by the Lord as a result of giving money. The purpose of this message is to touch the believers in their emotions and feelings so that they will be encouraged to give.
But preachers, who preach this message are lost and don’t live in the Kingdom of God and are not led by the Word and the Spirit, but they live in the kingdom of this world and are led by the lust, desires, and greed of their flesh.
Of course it is true, that what you sow you will reap, and therefore if you sow money, you will reap money. But do you only give to receive? And is this what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about and is this the message that Jesus wants His church to preach? Is this the message, where Jesus died for?
‘Be the salt of the earth’
