The Modern Moneychangers

The apostle Paul warned that in the last days preceding the return of Jesus Christ, "some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." (1 Timothy 4:1)

While Paul's prophecy applies to the many false teachings that have invaded the church over the past 100 years, it definitely applies to the false prosperity gospel. What's the prosperity gospel? It teaches that Christ came into the world to show us how to acquire the good life by faith.

And so, according to the prosperity preachers, you can use the power of faith to acquire vast wealth and riches. Is that teaching biblical? No it isn't. Then why do these people promote the prosperity gospel? Because it's a con game that keeps on giving to those who keep on preaching that counterfeit gospel.

The givers are the suckers who send their money to the takers who vacuum their wallets by offering them the lofty promises of prosperity. Stop and consider this: If you can acquire vast wealth by naming and claiming your treasure, then why bother sending money to the prosperity preachers? Why? Because the prosperity gospel doesn't work, certainly not for those who practice it. But it works just fine for those who preach it.

For example, one of the most popular prosperity preachers is Benny Hinn who, according to public records, owns a private jet, lives in a $10 million house near the Pacific Ocean, stays in hotel rooms that cost thousands each night, and owns luxury vehicles. nakedlaw.avvo.com

Another is Joyce Meyer, who since 1999 has spent at least $4 million on five homes for (herself) and her children. Meyer’s house is a 10,000 square foot home with an 8-car garage, a large fountain, a gazebo, a private putting green, a pool, and pool house with a new $10,000 bathroom. Her salary was reported at $900,000 back in 2003, and she also enjoys use of a private jet and luxury cars. 

And still another prosperity preacher who has enjoyed the high life on the backs and bucks of his gullible followers is Eddie Long who has earned millions in salary from his ministry, owns a million dollar home on a 20-acre lot, has use of a $350,000 Bentley, and pulls in a host of other benefits too. 

There are several others such as Joel Osteen, Kenneth Copeland, Randy and Paula White, and Creflo Dollar who've become obscenely wealthy by preaching the prosperity gospel. Is it wrong for them to enjoy such great wealth? No. However it's wrong for them to pervert Christ's teachings concerning money to make it seem as though Christ promoted faith as a method to become wealthy.

Yes, Christ did say this: "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the (Heavenly) Father may be glorified in the Son." (John 14:13) But that was in the context of doing the will of God on earth rather than in the context of acquiring wealth. What's the will of God? The salvation of human beings through their faith in Christ's death on the cross for their sins and His resurrection from the dead.

What did Christ teach concerning money? He said this: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)

Here's what Paul wrote concerning money: "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (1 Timothy 6:6-10)

Obviously, the prosperity gurus don't preach 1 Timothy 6. If they did, they'd expose themselves as the hypocrites they truly are. And their gullible followers would realize what contemptible phonies they truly are.