Introduction

Modern messengers are manipulating God and His people. Lust of the flesh is out of control as bold demands dangle false hope before our eyes. Satan doesn’t have to be an inventor as mankind falls for the same song and dance when they ignore God’s voice.

Mixing grace with gooey candy feeds carnality, targeting unbelievers and babes in Christ. It is time to know God’s Word my friend, as false teachers fend for themselves and lead the ignorant astray.  Satan doesn’t have to be an inventor as proclaiming partial promises has been working since the Garden of Eden.

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the LORD God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have eye brought again that which was driven away, neither have eye sought that which was lost, but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. Ez. 34:2-4

Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully. Jer. 48:10

What is the topic of contention? Health and wealth. While God works goodness in the gutters of impoverished souls, He is still sovereign. Who are we to demand and expect to rule in areas only reserved for our Father?  May we return to worship God and not His blessings. It is as subtle as a hair splitting in two. Seeking hand-outs without the Savior is how Satan shows up on stages of sensationalism. Come back to truth and be content in knowing Christ Jesus. He alone will feed so you can find His will.

But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Ps. 115:3

I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will seek that which was lost and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong, I will feed them with judgment. Ez. 34: 10,14,15

Paralyzing our Walk

The greedy claws behind prosperity can paralyze one’s walk with God.  The meager soul is confused when his want is left unfilled by the preacher’s words. Maybe the fog machines should be turned off so the true Scriptures can be presented on their screens. While this problem won’t be removed until judgment day, the Lord preserves His remnant. Sprinkled around the world are those who sincerely preach the Word and people respond.  As a prominent evangelist was in the mission field, a handicapped man proved this to be true. Let it inspire your soul as it did mine.

A paralyzed man was asked by a preacher what he wanted. “The Holy Spirit” he said. Surprised at his response, why wasn’t his request to walk? Rare and refreshing, the healing of his paralysis held no prominence over possessing Christ. How many people are chasing comforts without consideration of the Comforter?

So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter, and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. Ecc. 4:1

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Jn. 14:18

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Jn. 14:26

As you personally struggle with some affliction, ask yourself, Is Jesus your priority? Whatever your empty barrel needs, fill it with Christ. In Him the fullness of the Godhead dwells.  You may be surprised when the answers come effortlessly, after concentration on the answer ceases.

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Col. 2:9

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that dd understand, that did seek God. Ps. 53:2

But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. Deut. 4:29

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Lk. 12:31

Working on the Wrong Plan

We pay people, attend seminars, to seek solutions. Knowledge develops these experts standing on platforms with pen in hand. Eagerly, they publish articles to initiate better ways. The ink doesn’t dry before a new idea drops in. Deleting the old, rewriting the new, the page of hope is forever changing. The ancient mold on man’s agenda is sickening. It starts out fresh but dies in the archives of science. We try but fail. Stability and reliability to produce life is lost. It is absent because we are turning pages in weak books and working on the wrong plans.

And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Ecc. 12:12

There is a Holy Book put on back burners. It doesn’t change but often left unread. The devil watches while his false teachers sprinkle sugar into its pages. Without knowing the Word of God, people are biting into caramel apples with hidden worms. Corruption is canceling Christ and replacing it with subtle pretentions. Within the church, a crooked isle leads itching ears to stages of sensation without the Spirit. The flesh gravitates to flashy fads but is never fulfilled.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Tim. 4:3-4

Hand-out Christianity

Hand-out Christianity is aligning with the greed in our American culture. False preachers are twisting minds and prying open hands for their personal gain. Their idea of increase is not a sign of success in God’s Word. In fact, riches are running Christians off the road of faith into reckless sorrows.

Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness. From such withdraw thyself. 1 Tim. 6:5

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 Tim. 6:10

Why some people aren’t receiving answers to prayers is a mystery. However, it is better to hold Jesus in your heart rather than walk away with only an answer in your hand. The devil doesn’t mind when diversion from Christ dominates. In fact, one landmine he consistently plants is comparison. Hoping people keep in step with each other rather than God’s Word, they obliterate the truth.

Some question why Joni Erickson Tada was kept in her wheelchair. Her paralysis didn’t impede her promoting the Gospel, did it? She reaches more people than some preachers in expensive jets. She confesses the chair is better than not knowing Christ. God’s goodness certainly shines brighter than her body. On the other hand, to finish the story of the paralyzed man in the beginning of this blog, he did walk after being filled with the Spirit.  Therefore, we see both paralyzed people sharing a commonality, they sought Jesus first as their Lord. Earthly endeavors took a second seat. The choice lies before us all, God or personal gain.

God or Gain?

Some forsake the Father for health or wealth. Certain church circles corral healing and leave their hearts untied to the Healer. Money may mean more than their Maker. Financial increase is preached as godly gain. As we read in 1 Timothy 6:5 & 10 above, this “prosperity” Gospel isn’t new.  However maybe their manipulations are unique for our culture. We hear statements such as “to get more, you must give more”.  More goes into their offering plate and perhaps some pockets. Following this false proclamation are slick maneuvers, “How can you give if you are in lack?”  “Tithing is what makes you rich.” Riches are fulfilling the American dream, not God’s will. Jesus is not looked upon as the gold purchased without money anymore. In fact, He isn’t even known to be the firstfruit in the teaching of the tithe. 

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat, yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Is. 55:11

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear, and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. Rev. 3:18

A touchy subject is tithing. Is it a technique taught to tap into bank accounts? Isn’t Jesus the first fruit who fulfilled all requirements? Find tithing, in the New Testament. It isn’t there. The only reference to the tenth or firstfruit is Christ Jesus.

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them slept. 1 Cor. 15:20

Giving is still in God’s will, but tithing isn’t dealt into the deck of grace. Why? Because redemption in Christ fulfilled Old Testament requirements. This includes Abraham’s tithe. Some preachers overstep the cross and say tithing is relevant because Abraham’s tithe originated before the institution of the law. While this timeframe is true, the crucifixion remains the ultimate timely sacrifice and redemption overall. If you are led to be a tither and give not under obligation but freedom in Christ’s redemption, continue. God looks within the heart and is pleased when giving in faith. 

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposed in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity. For God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you that ye, always, having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. 2 Cor. 9:6-8

God creates the right spirit within us, including a generous heart. His ways are beyond the passing of a plate. He will tell us what talent, gifting, or possession is within our capacity to share and who is the recipient. He isn’t concerned about our sacrifice because He was the sacrifice. He is all about mercy, which is lovingkindness. It all boils down to love. Therefore, may we be like the paralyzed people we mentioned and love God first before we ask for His handful of promises.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Ps. 51:10

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6

Conclusion

Legalism and preachers in left field are leaving the lame astray. The Father longs to be close with His children. Wouldn’t He know how to make this happen? It is by pointing people to His Son. While His Word doesn’t change, His ways to reach individuals with His love differ. We must step aside as God is sovereign. 

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love. Therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jer. 31:3

The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens: and his kingdom ruleth over all. Ps. 103:19

All the hep on health and wealth is consuming the church. Our Father will address these concerns. In the meantime, our attention needs to remain on Christ Jesus. 

So compare not your journey with others. Don’t make the error by creating a doctrine out of experience. Jesus scolded this practice. 

Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me. Jn. 21:21

In conclusion, please don’t let your faith be paralyzed by falling for false teaching. Know Jesus, through study of the Word. End the enticements which grab for gain rather than establishing a relationship with God. Freedom is found in the Spirit not by means of the flesh.