THE WORD-FAITH MOVEMENT
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING
By: Victor T. Stephens
"For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears." (Acts 20:29-31)
CONFESSION AND WEALTH (continued)
Let's look at 2 Corinthians 8:9.
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." (2 Cor. 8:9)
Referring to 2 Corinthians 8:9, wealth advocates quote this verse to teach that Jesus was rich during His earthly ministry but became poor so Christians may inherit an abundance of wealth. Without question, every Word-Faith teacher vigorously supports the notion that Jesus was financially rich. And they do so to defend their extravagant lifestyles. Word-Faith teacher Jesse Duplantis claims:
"Jesus rode what I like to call a Continental Donkey. One of them Cadillac Donkeys that had never been rode. You might want a car that has never been drove. You ever think about that?" (Jesse Duplantis, Share-A-Thon, September 15, 2004)
Echoing Duplantis, Fred Price states:
"The whole point is I'm trying to get you to see... to get you out this malaise of thinking that Jesus and the disciples were poor and then relating that to you... thinking that you as a child of God, have to follow Jesus. The Bible says that He has left us an example that we should follow His steps. That's the reason why I drive a Rolls Royce. I'm following Jesus' steps." (Fred Price, "Ever Increasing Faith," TBN, December 19, 1990)
John Avanzini boasts:
"Jesus had a nice house, a big house, big enough to have company stay the night with Him at the house." (John Avanzini, TBN, January 20, 1991)
Was Jesus rich as claimed by the Word-Faith camp? Yes, Jesus was rich, but not in the context erroneously stated by Word-Faith leaders. Because Jesus is God, He is wealthy beyond our comprehension. The Lord owns everything and possesses infinite power. Relatively, Jesus became poor when He left His throne and took the form of a suffering servant in the likeness of sinful mankind (Zech. 9:9; Phil. 2:7-8). Furthermore, not only was Jesus poor from a relative standpoint, but He was also poor during His time on earth.
Let's investigate the evidence.
1) Mary offered a sacrifice of two turtle doves. This type of sacrifice is indicative of someone poor. (Luke 2:22-24; Lev. 5:7; 12:2-8)
When the days of purification were over, the woman then either had to bring a lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or dove for a sin offering to the priests or, if she were poor, two doves or two young pigeons." (Baker Commentary on The Bible, By: Walter A. Elwell, Page 75)
2) If Jesus was rich, why did He have to cause a coin to appear in the mouth of a fish to pay the temple tax for Himself and Peter? If Jesus was wealthy, why didn't He pay the tax from all the money He possessed?
"Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you."
(Matt. 17:27)
3) If Jesus was rich, why did He have to receive support from His followers? And take note that Jesus received no tithes.
"Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities -- Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Johanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance." (Luke 8:1-3)
4) There are no scriptures in the Bible which state that Jesus had a "big house." Jesus says to a certain scribe in Matthew 8:20 that:
"Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." (Matt. 8:20)
5) Jesus borrowed a donkey and a colt.
"Saying to them, 'Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.'" (Matt. 21:2-3)
6) The tomb of Jesus was a borrowed one.
"Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away." (Matt. 27:59-60)
7) Archeological excavations of Nazareth from the 1950's attest a village tenanting in Jesus' day by poor people.”
(Jack Finegan, "The Archaeology of The New Testament," 1972, Pages 27-33)
In light of scripture coupled with archeological research, there is no evidence that Jesus came from a wealthy family or obtained wealth during His earthly ministry. And what do Word-Faith teachers have to say about this evidence? If they don't respond with unsound threats, they will argue that Jesus became poor so that Christians may become rich (referring to the latter part of verse nine). However, the word "rich" refers to spiritual riches, not material wealth. Because Christ became poor, those who believe in Him are enabled spiritual riches through His sacrifice and redeeming work on the cross. Let's observe the following scriptures for confirmation:
1)"I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation or our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 1:4-8)
Those who believe in Christ are enriched with spiritual gifts, as evidenced by this passage. See also 1 Cor. 12:1-11.
2) "As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." (2 Cor. 6:9-10)
The Second Book of Corinthians 6:9-10 illustrates that Paul was not materially wealthy but was spiritually rich. The passage also shows that Paul imparted his spiritual riches into the lives of his followers to enrich them (spiritually).
3) "And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory...." (Rom. 9:23)
Here, "riches" is speaking of God's grace and mercy, which are spiritual riches.
4) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ... In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace...." (Eph.1:3, 7)
Here, we have two verses that demonstrate spiritual riches (spiritual blessings and grace) attained as believers in Christ.
5) "To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man...." (Eph. 3:8, 16)
Here, "riches" refer to all of God's spiritual blessings.
6) "To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col. 1:27)
The above verse reveals spiritual riches as the indwelling of Christ.
These six points offer iron-clad proof that Jesus became poor so that believers in Him will be made spiritually rich. There is no evidence in the Bible expressing that Christ died on the cross so that Christians would possess large bank accounts, expensive homes, cars, jets, and other possessions.
Let's now read Ephesians 3:20.
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." (Eph. 3:20)
Many wealth proponents employ this verse in conjunction with John 14:13-14 to demonstrate that God will fulfill all our aspirations, pending if we have sufficient faith combined with a life free of unrepentant sin. No one disputes that God has infinite power to do whatever He wishes, but this verse does not parallel the Word-Faith teachers' prosperity gospel.
If we read Ephesians 3, beginning at verse 14, we will discover that this verse is part of Paul's prayer to the Ephesian church, a prayer that reflects a connotation of God's spiritual mission. The Lord is administering the riches of His glory to all believers through the work of God in Christ. With the power of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit working in us, this will lead to the fulfillment of God's designed plan for the Christians' growth and edification of the church collectively. While it is true that God has the power to give us "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask," the mature believer's request should always be according to His will... being mindful of His sovereignty.
Let's now view Philippians 4:19.
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:19)
This verse is another example of scripture that Word-Faith leaders use to fortify their prosperity doctrine. The same way they misconstrue other passages of scripture, they use this verse as a proposal that God will provide the entire range of our likings from the abundance of His riches in heaven, contingent upon an exercise of sufficient faith along with repentance of sins.
One does not require much biblical knowledge to understand that Philippians 4:19 does not suggest that God will supply us with every desire of our hearts. This verse indicates that God, from His infinite resources, will supply us with all our needs, not all of our desires. It should be evident that there is a distinction between a "desire" and a "need."
Unfortunately, where idolatry and mesmerism are in the midst, common sense becomes vacant. With this type of unhealthy admiration precipitated from willfully blind sheep, Word-Faith teachers continue to build their kingdoms, purchase expensive homes, cars, Lear jets, and other possessions that befits the uncontrolled lusts of their wildest fantasies. Then they cloak their deceit and craftiness behind such scriptures as Philippians 4:19 as well as other passages throughout the Bible.
Near the conclusion of this section, we will discover from God's Word the true and complete definition of worldly and spiritual wealth; and what it says about those who teach that godliness is a means to worldly riches. In the meantime, let's examine one more passage of Scripture that Word-Faith proponents avail themselves to champion their prosperity doctrine.
Next: An evaluation of 3 John 1:2.
