“All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given,” said Jesus Christ in Matthew 19:11. And to whom has it been given by God to hear, that is to listen to, to understand, and to obey the words and teaching of Jesus Christ? “The sheep follow Him, for they know His voice” (See John 10:4). “Then said Jesus unto His disciples (His “sheep”), ‘Verily (truthfully) I say unto you that a rich man shall hardly (that is, with great difficulty) enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you (Jesus repeats himself for emphasis), 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 19:23-24). Of course it is utterly impossible for a camel to pass through the eye of a literal needle. It cannot be done PERIOD!
Jesus might have been making reference to a gate in the wall of Jerusalem known as “the needle’s eye.” This would have been a smaller gate cut into a larger gate that could be opened without opening the larger gate should a traveler seek to enter Jerusalem after the closing of the larger gates at dusk. This smaller gate was adequate for a man to pass through with ease, but should he have his camel with him and wish to bring the camel inside the city also, it would be quite difficult to get the camel through the gate. It would require removing all baggage from the camel then having the camel kneel and someone push from the rear while another pulled on the camel’s halter and, then with great difficulty, hopefully get the camel through the small opening.
Satan knows quite well that this was the plain and clear teaching of Jesus Christ – that wealth presented a formidable obstacle to one’s keeping their mind and heart firmly fixed on the kingdom of God and upon living a life of true godliness and devotion to the Savior. The “prosperity gospel,” a term coined by Satan Himself no doubt, is Satan’s clever device to lure unsuspecting, scripturally ignorant, men and women to adopt a lifestyle that, in all probability, would bar their entrance into the kingdom of God!
Early on in the history of the church, even in the First Century with some of the apostles still alive and on the scene, Paul warned “some are already turned aside after Satan” (See 1 Timothy 5:15). Paul then went on to write, “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing…men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain (wealth) is godliness (shows God’s favor upon that person), from such withdraw thyself (get away from that perverted mindset and teaching). But godliness with contentment (needing no added material abundance) is great gain (or true wealth). For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out, and having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich (buying into a “prosperity gospel” delusion) fall into temptation and a snare (the devil’s clever trap), and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in (spiritual) destruction and perdition (Greek, “ruin, loss, waste”). For the love of money is the (Greek, “a”) root of all evil, which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith (Jesus said, “Don’t go there”), and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, FLEE THESE THINGS, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (See I Timothy 6:3-11).
A true apostle, or spokesman of the Lord, warns believers to flee the pursuit of wealth. A false apostle, minister, preacher, teacher urges his sheep (they are definitely NOT Christ’s sheep as they spurn the voice of Christ) to seek riches, assuring them if they will sow their seed (give their money) to him and his ministry that God will make certain they reap a grand harvest of riches and wealth! (Such charlatans will say God spoke to them just prior to the broadcast and told them He would bless a hundred-fold those who would give a thousand dollars to their ministry that day, or some such foolishness directed toward the gullible).
How different was the true early church from the false Christianity embraced by so many today. In the 4th chapter of Acts, we are given this glimpse of the early church: “and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul (denominationalism had not yet raised its ugly head), neither said any of them that any of the things which he possessed was his own (God owns the cattle on a thousand hills – not the ranchers), but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus (God was able to move with great power amidst such devotion and self sacrifice), and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked (food or raiment – that with which we are to be content), for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them (obviously extra houses or property) and brought the prices of the things that were sold and laid them down at the apostles’ feet and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need” (See Acts 4, verses 31 to 35).
The “prosperity gospel” preacher wants you to lay your wealth at his feet, so to speak, so that he can buy himself a new Mercedes or BMW, or Lear Jet, or a million dollar home in Malibu! And, I guarantee you, he will have some satanically clever argument to deceive the hearts of the simple into believing wholeheartedly that such a preacher is God’s anointed man of the hour.
“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us (God’s true spokesmen) for an example, for many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly (their fleshly lusts that money can satiate), and whose glory is in their shame (their ungodly prosperity), who mind earthly things..” (See Philippians 3:17-19). If Paul wept at what he saw then, he would be reduced to sobbing uncontrollably should he channel surf and listen to some of the rantings of these “prosperity gospel” preachers today. Should he be taken on a tour of their palatial residences, I have no doubt he would shake his head and say, “Their end is destruction!”
Remember, Christ forewarned that “MANY (not a handful, but many) will say to me in that day (of judgment), ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied (preached) in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works?’ And then will I profess unto them, ‘I never knew you (you were false converts, false ministers), depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (See Matthew 7:22-23). Yes, some will say, “But, Lord, I built a mega-church with satellite assemblies. I held Holy Ghost revivals where many were healed and blessed….” And what is Christ’s answer in verse 24, “But you didn’t hear these sayings of mine and do them!” Their argument being, “Oh, Jesus Christ spoke only to the Jews of that era. He was a dispensationalist. Little, if anything, He said was meant for the church. We are in a different dispensation.”
“But know this that in the last days (our era) perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves (looking out for Number One), lovers of money, boasters, proud…” (See 2 Timothy 3:1-2). Boasting proudly, “I am a King’s kid. I should live like one, enjoying wealth and material prosperity!” Oh, yes, they do have clever arguments that the scripturally ignorant embrace wholeheartedly.
“Labor NOT to be rich. Cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings. They fly away as an eagle toward heaven” (Proverbs 23:4-5).
Jesus says, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal (and where charlatan money loving preachers talk you out of that wealth), but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust do corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal, for where your treasure is there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
“But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God…in needs…in labors…by purity, by knowledge…by the Holy Spirit…by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left…as poor (in material substance), yet making many rich (spiritually), as having nothing (in material, earthly possessions), yet possessing all things (of a spiritual nature)” (See 2 Corinthians 6:4-10).
Christ’s Aged Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley