by Dean Garrison, DC Clothesline:
You have to understand what is happening with Christianity in America. If you preach too much truth & gospel the American government comes down on you hard and this has created a new niche profession which we call “Prosperity Preachers.” The truth may set us free but it won’t protect biblical preachers from Uncle Sam and won’t be allowed, on a large scale in modern day America. It’s not much different than telling the truth and being censored versus parroting the government narrative and being left alone. You can no longer trust large news outlets, nor can you trust large ministries. They didn’t get large by telling truth. They became large by telling people what they wanted to hear. Sad but true.
TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/
But this is much more critical than fake news because they are not only messing with people’s lives on earth, they are lying to people about what it takes for their own salvation. Wake up folks. Please.
These are numbers from 2019 yet still quite interesting. Here are the 2019 estimated net worth values of some well known Christian “prosperity” preachers, from MoneyInc:
- Joel Osteen $40 Million
- Benny Hinn $42 Million
- Pat Robertson $100 Million
- TD Jakes $150 Million
- Kenneth Copeland $760 Million
Osteen is estimated 9th and Copeland 1st in this 2019 list of Prosperity Preachers. To see the entire top 10, with details, click here. I didn’t list them all because half are either foreign born, or simply unknown to me. Jesus’ material wealth by 2019 standards was considerably less than $40 million as a carpenter’s son. But He also gave us more than anyone on that list ever can or will. I’d bet my soul on that and am betting my soul on that. You can’t have Christianity without “Christ.” That’s a fact, but most everything else you will read will be my opinion.
I am not a preacher, nor am I without sin. But I write what I think God wants me to write and today I need to explain to you why I am OK being poor in material wealth and looking forward to the real riches of the heaven. I used to be wealthy by some people’s standards. Now I’m just another Christian worried about how I’m going to pay my next major expense. Are “prosperity” preachers really teaching us the truth? Or are they simply telling people what they want to hear while they continue to line their own pockets?
That is for you to decide but I follow Jesus. Was Jesus at all concerned about material wealth? I think you know the answer to that but FYI there are videos, which I consider false teachings, that tell you that Jesus wanted you to be materially wealthy on this earth. I’m serious but again, it’s your call. All I can do is offer my own opinions and try to help you see the world as I think it really is. Am I wrong? If so, it would not be the first time and will not be the last. 😉
A “real journalist” tries very hard to feature expert opinions and leave their own opinions out. I’m not good at that because obviously this whole article is supporting my opinion, but I also believe my opinion is truth. So just read on and watch some of the videos and learn what you want and will. I’m just trying to print and tell the truth as I see it.
From Biblereasons.com:
Bible verses about the prosperity gospel
I hate the prosperity gospel! It is of the devil. It is not the gospel. It kills the gospel and it is sending millions to Hell. I’m tired of people pimping the gospel and selling lies. You are nothing and you have nothing apart from Jesus Christ. Many people only seek Christ for what He can give and not for Him. It was a bloody cross!
Repentance and faith in Christ results in sacrifice, a turning away from worldliness, taking up your cross, a denial of self, a harder life.
Joel Osteen, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, T.D Jakes, Joyce Meyer, and Mike Murdock are working for Satan.
Even the devil can say a few biblical things, but these prosperity preachers are sending millions to Hell.
The people in their congregation don’t want God. They want the same thing that these false teachers want. I once heard a false prophet say, “if you just have faith God is going to give you a jet” and the whole crowd went wild. That is of the devil!
These preachers say you can speak things into existence such as wealth. If we read just a few verses in Scripture it won’t take long before you find out that the Word of Faith movement is a lie.
Quotes
- “We are settling for a Christianity that revolves around catering to ourselves when the central message of Christianity is actually about abandoning ourselves.” David Platt
- “Prosperity cannot be proof of Gods Favor for this is what the Devil promises to those who worship him” – John Piper
- “The prosperity gospel movement offers people the same thing the devil offers; they just do so in the name of Christ.” – John MacArthur
- “If material things are what you’re talking about when you say ‘I’m blessed’ then you have no idea what real blessings are.”
- “The early church was married to poverty, prisons, and persecutions. Today the church is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity.” – Leonard Ravenhill.
Most of the time riches are a curse and not a blessing.
After all, the Bible says it is almost impossible for a rich man to enter into Heaven. Do you still desire to be rich? The desire to be rich will put you in a trap and the more you have it gets harder and harder to get out of. I might not be rich, but I am content with the little that I do have.
Just because you are in the ministry does not mean that God wants you to be rich. Just because people around you and even ministers around you are buying expensive cars does not mean you are to follow their lead. You are to follow Christ not things.
1. 1 Timothy 6:6-12 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2. Matthew 19:21-23 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.”
