Some are claiming that P. Diddy and Jay-Z (the world’s wealthiest Hip Hop artists) shouldn’t be the only ones who should be driving ferraris and living in large houses. Oxygen network’s “Preachers of L.A.,” features six high profile “Christian ministers” including Noel Jones, Deitrick Haddon, Clarence McClendon, Wayne Chaney, Ron M. Gibson, and Jay Haizlip.
The apostles Peter and Paul warned us of false shepherds who crept into the church teaching false doctrine for filthy lucre’s sake and not for the glory of Jesus Christ. “Not greedy for filthy lucre” are clear qualifications for church leadership (1 Peter 5:2; 1 Timothy 3:3,8; Titus 1:7).
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. (Titus 1:10,11)
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (1 Peter 2:1-3)
But John the Apostle said, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health” (3 John 1:2) This verse is quoted in the video above and Prosperity Gospel teachers carry this verse far beyond its context. They insist that God wants above all else that Christians will be healthy and wealthy. The Greek word eudoo for “prosper” literally means “to grant a prosperous and expeditious journey, to lead by a direct and easy way” as in Romans 1:10, “Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey 2137 by the will of God to come unto you.” This is not necessarily limited to financial prosperity as the Prosperity Gospel advocates always insist. John’s greatest joy was not that we would be physically healthy and wealthy, but he said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3 John 1:4)
Far from being an “evangelical tool,” this reality show will cause the world to speak evil of the Gospel because of the misconception these “holy roller” false pastor superstars will create. Speaking to pious yet hypocritical Jews, Paul said, “Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.” (Romans 2:23,24) Likewise, it is because of the blatant religious hypocrisy within professing Christianity that causes the world to blaspheme God. Peter directly relates this blasphemy and “evil-speaking” of the truth of the Gospel to these false prophets who “make merchandise of you!” (1 Peter 2:1-3) This Word of Faith, Name it-Claim it, Health & Wealth, Prosperity garbage causes the truth of the glorious Gospel of Jesus to be blasphemed in the world. This is not Christianity. While the true fruit of the Holy Spirit and godliness in a person’s life is contentment, these false pastors believe that gain is godliness as they boast of mansions, cars and prosperity. Of the which, Paul said,
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, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:3-6)
Peter the Apostle continues about these types of false shepherds:
Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. (2 Peter 2:15-20)
I conclude with a verse never quoted by Prosperity Gospel preachers which ought to make any rich Christian cringe unless they are also rich in good works toward God by becoming poor in distributing their wealth to poorer saints: “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.” (James 5:1)