The charismatic movement brought back the teachings of the day of Pentecost, as taught in the book of Acts; the infilling and power of the holy spirit, with the speaking in tongues, and the healing power in the name of Jesus Christ. But at some point they went a little too far with the healing of your wallet teachings.
This is called the prosperity gospel. It is very appealing to the natural senses, and it has the characteristic of bringing out the greed of money. The scriptures are twisted, interchanging the word seed for money. The preaching is “Give me your money, and God will repay you ten fold.” This is not the way God wants you to give; so you can get. This is sowing seed into yourself, not into the kingdom of God. This is not even giving.
I have even heard it preached so far as “if you are poor, it is your own fault because the word of God says…” The fruit of this theology is guilt. This is twisting and over-analyzing the scriptures. Jesus taught to be generous to the poor, not heap guilt upon them. And don’t try to take their last dime.
Then the story of the widow’s mite is used to get even the last dime, from the poor as well. You aren’t to take bread from your children’s mouth to give to a preacher, or a church building, or missionary work, or into any other of these false prophets kingdoms on earth. Men, your first priority from God is to take care of your family.
The latest entrapment is to go even further into this giving thing with the Old Testament laws of the feast times of God. All these sacrifices have been completed at the cross by the blood of Jesus Christ. I have since found that the words “for ever” used in Deuteronomy, in Hebrew meant for a very long time, and not necessarily until the end of time.
If you hear any preacher use the word “seed” for money, run! He is trying to take advantage of you. He is trying to build his own kingdom here on earth. These preachers are usually convinced they are preaching the word of God, but they too have been fooled. Jesus wasn’t talking about money when he used the word seed. Jesus never asked for money. Jesus said he didn’t have a place to lay his head. And Paul didn’t ask for money for himself either. He did collect money for charity, for the poor. Paul also taught not to take up the collection during the church meeting, wasting time. Buildings were not erected by church members and their tithes during the time of the early church. This practice was brought in by the false church of Constantine. Jesus said,” freely you have received, freely give”. He was talking about knowledge. Don’t charge for preaching.
For those of you that wish to argue Old Testament, you are the same people claiming we are under a new covenant. You can’t have it both ways. According to the Old Testament, you are supposed to bring your ten-percent into the storehouse for hard times, and for the poor, and some was for the priests. We no longer need a priest for intersession with God, because of the blood of the perfect Lamb of God. But some say, the tithe was even before the Old Testament, meaning is pre-existed before the Law. Was it before Jesus died or was it after? Stop over analyzing the bible, trying to make it say what you want it to say.
Jesus taught us how to look out for false prophets, by the fruit of their work. The fruit of the work of a prosperity preacher is greed. It is as simple as that, but many are being deceived. Jesus also said, there would be many wolves in sheep’s clothing. These wolves stand behind pulpits in their suit and tie every Sunday morning, looking perfectly pure, but are actually preaching your damnation. They are drawing their supposed sheep unto themselves, and not teaching or wanting the congregation to learn how to hear the Spirit of God for themselves. A true prophet repeats the words of God, leading people to God, not one’s self. These false prophets put themselves up as the authority figure in your church, calling themselves shepherds of the flock. This is a lie. Jesus is your only shepherd. Jesus said, call no man rabbi, meaning father. If you bring up Paul’s teachings in contrast to what Jesus said, I will till go with the master, Jesus Christ. Paul’s teachings do not supersede Jesus’ teachings. “You say, but Paul’s writings were inspired of God.” I am not going to argue that here. Maybe your understanding is incorrect, because obviously that false doctrine is in direct contrast to the simple and unequivocal words of Jesus Christ. Mark 10:25 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.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?