The Prosperity Lie

Happy Sunday. Back in the early 80s, a TV show hit the airwaves called The People's Court. Some of you may remember Judge Watner. I remember watching for a while and realizing that one of the people before the court had to be lying through their teeth.

And the judge's job was to decide the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. That's easier said than done, isn't it? I received a summon for jury duty a few weeks ago, and I was glad when I received an email telling me that I did not have to report downtown Atlanta. I served on a jury years ago.

There was a videotape of the crime that we were shown in the court and the defendant swore that he did not do the crime. Well, the video proved otherwise. As a pastor, I'm keenly aware of my responsibility responsibility to tell you the truth, the whole truth, what scripture teaches. Over the years, I've heard pastors preach the prosperity gospel.

It's very popular. Big churches and TV mega churches and TV ministries are built on this teaching. What's the teaching? Oh, it goes something like this.

If you love God enough, if you're obedient, if you tithe to them, God will bless you with money. You'll be rich, you'll be healthy, you'll have a carefree life. I think that teaching is a huge lie and not backed by scripture at all. Of course, scripture is used and twisted to make their point.

One verse used about the prosperity crowd is found in John 10:10. Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, and I came that they might have life and have it abundantly." They define abundant life as material wealth and physical well-being. Those who preach the prosperity gospel ignore much of Jesus's teaching.

For instance, as the 16th chapter of the book of John ends, Jesus tells his disciples, "In this world, you will have tribulation." Now, if you're fed a constant diet of the prosperity gospel, and then you have tribulation, it's likely you'll turn from the church and believe God to be a liar. Many people have wandered away from church and from God because they were never prepared biblically for the truth and for this life. Now, please don't get me wrong.

I believe that God does bless us. Yet, I also know that trouble and persecution are part of this life. Jesus did not promise wealth and health. In fact, Jesus suffered and died on a cross even though he lived a perfect sinless life.

Jesus was so honest with his disciples. In John chapter 15, Jesus told them that times would be hard. Verses 18 and 19 from that chapter, John 15, Jesus said, "If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belong to the world, the world would love you as its own because you do not belong to the world.

But I have chosen you out of the world. Therefore, the world hates you. As we read further as chapter 16 begins in the book of John, Jesus said this, I have said these things, going back to chapter 15, I have said these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues.

Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that they're doing uh they are offering worship to God. And they'll do this because they have not known the father or me. But I have said these things to you so that when the hour comes, you may remember that I told you about them. Jesus is preparing his disciples for tough tough times ahead, not the prosperity gospel.

As John 16 closes, Jesus said, "I have said this to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will face persecution, tribulation, but take courage. I have conquered the world. I have overcome the world."

The truth is our reward is not found in this world. Our eggs are not in this basket or they should not be. Our reward is in heaven. Our life will be perfect in heaven and this world is not heaven.

There will be difficulties. I love these words from 2 Corinthians 4:17 about the next life. There it says, "These troubles and sufferings of ours are after all quite small and won't last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God's richest blessings upon us forever and ever."

It's been about 25 years or so. I met a man whose son had died at a young age. The man blamed God. The man was taught the prosperity gospel at his church.

And when trouble came, he became a recluse and abandoned his faith. It's so sad that he was not prepared for the truth. I shared with him this verse from Hebrews 13:14 where it says, "This world is not our permanent home. We are looking forward to a home yet to come."

I like that. We're looking forward to a home yet to come. When we focus on this home, on this world, when we expect heaven on earth, we will be disappointed. I'm looking forward to my home yet to come, no matter what I have to go through to get there.

Pray with me. Lord, thank you for this day. Thank you for the truth of your word from Genesis through Revelation. And thank you, we have an anchor to hang on to when there's so many lies around us.

We pray that we would help others lead. We would lead others to the truth. Lead us in that quest. In Jesus name we pray.

Amen. God bless. Thanks for joining me today.