For a good friend of mine: Materialism and the prosperity doctrine…(Matthew 6:24) No man can serve two masters…You can not serve God and Mammon (material wealth). The “prosperity doctrine” that pastors speak on serves us mammon by way of the misuse of the reality of the prosperity of Christ. From the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 we understand that the underlined foundation of Jesus’ teachings is poverty not possessions. He told the rich young ruler to give all that he had and come follow Him. Mark 10:17-23. The problem with obtaining riches without first seeking the Kingdom of God and all His righteousness is you’ll tend to worship the things over the Creator of the things. Remember you can not serve two masters.
The prosperity doctrine teaches how to get things instead of getting a relationship so that these things can be added. For example, in the church of the prosperity doctrine you’ll here often: take back what the devil stole…name it claim it…they speak on positive confessions…and getting your money now.
From Wikipedia (Prosperity Theology): Though the movement has drawn many followers from the middle class, it also has become popular among the poor, many of whom seek personal and social advancement.[21] In the United States, prosperity theology is most popular in exurbs and urban areas. It has seen significant growth in black and Hispanic churches and is particularly popular among immigrants to the United States.
Why? because what this “devils doctrine” does is get people who don’t have much on a gambling trip promising returns of a blessing that they won’t have room enough to receive. (Malachi 3…well the truth is, that whole chapter is talking about the leadership not the laymen, they were the ones stealing and robbing from God as they do now.) Yet they beat us down with Malachi 3:9 saying we’ll be cursed with a curse and reward our giving with Luke 6:38 which isn’t even talking about money. They convince us with 2 Corinthians 9:6-8. What about v.9 that illustrates our lack. Not lack of money, because I am NOT saying that God has called us to a lack of money. No, not at all. What He has called us to is a lack of the belief in us being self sufficient.
Now what does all this do? It causes the people of the Most High God to be materialistic. To have, as Dictionary.com put it (Materialism), a preoccupation with or emphasis on material objects, comforts, and considerations, with a disinterest in or rejection of spiritual, intellectual, or cultural values.
In conclusion, by having us focus on the material aspects of this world we miss the message of the cross entirely. The message that God desires obedience better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). That God is not concerned with our doing and that God is concerned with our being; that our doing must proceed from our being. He requires us to obey His voice before giving up our money. This devil’s doctrine will cause us to believe as I’ve stated before that if we only give of our finances then one, we can live any way we want because we gave and among other reasons two, that we can get our cars, clothes, food, houses, etc…the very things Jesus said the Gentiles worry about. (Matthew 6:32) It is this very materialistic doctrine that causes people, who already don’t have anything to give up but their light bill money for the expectation of God to “show up and show out” they tell us. The very reason why many have fallen away; a false expectation that God will bless mess in lieu of a holy character. It pains my heart and vexes me to a place of a Holy Anger with these unrighteous and profane men and women that offer up to the King of Glory a strange fire upon the altar. This culture here in America, the best country in the world so it is said, is a microwave culture. We want everything right now with little to no effort. I say, we are in danger of succumbing to the wooing of the Antichrist. I will go as far as to say that this prosperity doctrine, this doctrine of devils, is a key factor in setting the stage for the return and acceptance of the Antichrist.
Wake up dear brothers and sisters before it is too late. The day is far spent and the night approach, when no man can work. We must not think ourselves more highly that we ought. We must obey the voice of the Master and not listen to the voice of another.
Choose ye this day whom ye will serve!