Jesus, Matthew 19:24
“Keep deception and lies far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, that I not be full and deny You saying, “Who is the LORD?” Or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the Name of my God.”
Proverbs 30:8-9
I had to write this.
I could've titled it, "My Least Popular Blogpost!" except I’m not here to be popular.
I was all set to write to you about something totally different, but I got the feeling that this is what I was supposed to write.
"Your Best Life Now".. Maybe you've heard of it.
It's a 'Christian' book that went to number one on the New York Times bestseller list in 2004, written by a guy named Joel Osteen. The book's stated purpose is to give us 7 principles for improving our lives. Mr. Osteen writes, "By following these principles I'm going to share with you, you will see how to have a happy and more fulfilling life, starting today!"
Wow! I'm ready, Joel!
Not so fast.
There's more.
Why do we need more?
This one book promises to do the trick, doesn't it?
I deserve to be both happy and fulfilled. I want that life today. Ok, great. Then this should do it!
Oh, but there is more.
A lot more.
His follow-up books include,
"Starting Your Best Life Now"
"Your Best Life Now for Moms"
(I’m a mom. I could use some help!)
"You Can, You Will--8 Undeniable Qualities of a Winner”
(Boy do I need this one!)
"It's Your Time—Finding Favor, Restoration and Abundance in Your Everyday Life"
(What he meant to say is it’s actually his time...His estimated net worth is around $40 million)
And my favorite, “Your Best Life Now--The Game"
(Seriously??)
Joel isn't the only Christian "pastor" promoting the health, prosperity, feel-good gospel, of course. In fact, it's become so widespread, I refer to it as Westernized-Christianity.
Americans have bought into this stuff like apple pie and Chevrolets.
Ever heard of Creflo Dollar? He's another preacher of the ‘good life gospel.’
He's written stuff like,
"8 Steps to Create the Life You Want"
...and my very best favorite~
"You're Supposed to Be Wealthy"
Ahem...Yes, that's actually the title.
(He’s calling Jesus a liar here, by the way)
“For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me.”
Jesus must mean only unbelievers will experience financial hardships. Yeah, that’s it.
It's no surprise to learn that Creflo’s estimated net worth is $27 million. And while he lives in a quaint 7,500 sq ft house, owns a private jet and drives a Rolls Royce, he also enjoys his own collection of exotic automobiles.
So, I hurried to purchase copies of all of his books too!
Then I booked a flight to Bolivia.
There’s a young mother with a disability living there in a cardboard lean-to, which is part of a camp on the side of a mud hill near the dump. She loves the LORD, and is doing her version of 'her best life now,’ raising her precious children on mud floors with little food or clean water.
Every afternoon she gathers her babies around her to teach them the one verse of Scripture she has memorized,
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son; that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life."
Hmmmmmmmmmm. Too simplistic. She needs these books...
Enough sarcasm. I‘m sure you get my point by now. So, does God have a problem with His people being wealthy?
The short answer is, it depends.
For one thing, leaders are held to higher standards. The Apostle Paul teaches us that the main thing false teachers have in common is their love for money.
1Timothy 6:3-10
The 1/2 brother of the LORD Jesus says this in James 3:1,
"...not many of you should be teachers in the church because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."
Jesus Himself was the one who warned us,
”Do not store up treasures here on earth for yourselves, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal."
(How well do you think that book title would sell?)
Why would He say that? Not because He hates wealthy people, my friends, but because He knows money can easily lead us away from Him.
Riches lead to idolatry, which God hates, which leads to envy and jealousy, which then lead to hatred and murder.
We’re surrounded by it.
”The root of all kinds of evil is the love of money.”
These charlatans only tell us what people want to hear. They promote books, games and other assorted products by distorting the Bible, making themselves wealthy.
I want to leave you with a thought. What if your best life isn't meant to be now at all?
If it is, we’re in trouble.
What is the message of Jesus then? Friends, it’s the cross! He calls sinners to repentance.
Matthew 4:17
Mark 1:15
Luke 24:47
Why repentance?
Because of the Bad News: All people are sinners. We commit crimes against God every day. We are guilty before Him. We all deserve hell.
He Brought the Good News: Christ died for sinners. He took the punishment we deserve. He was mocked, beaten, tortured, nailed to a criminal’s cross, dead, and buried. BUT, on the third day He rose victoriously—overcoming sin and death and hell for all who believe!
He is Messiah, the Anointed One, THE only Savior.
“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved!”
Saved from hell. Saved TO heaven.
Jesus said,
“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you (My people). And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may also be.” John 14:2
In Luke’s gospel, He describes His Fathers House as “Paradise.”
Now that’s the best life I can imagine!
He's written stuff like,
"8 Steps to Create the Life You Want"
...and my very best favorite~
"You're Supposed to Be Wealthy"
Ahem...Yes, that's actually the title.
(He’s calling Jesus a liar here, by the way)
“For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me.”
Jesus must mean only unbelievers will experience financial hardships. Yeah, that’s it.
It's no surprise to learn that Creflo’s estimated net worth is $27 million. And while he lives in a quaint 7,500 sq ft house, owns a private jet and drives a Rolls Royce, he also enjoys his own collection of exotic automobiles.
So, I hurried to purchase copies of all of his books too!
Then I booked a flight to Bolivia.
There’s a young mother with a disability living there in a cardboard lean-to, which is part of a camp on the side of a mud hill near the dump. She loves the LORD, and is doing her version of 'her best life now,’ raising her precious children on mud floors with little food or clean water.
Every afternoon she gathers her babies around her to teach them the one verse of Scripture she has memorized,
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son; that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life."
Hmmmmmmmmmm. Too simplistic. She needs these books...
Enough sarcasm. I‘m sure you get my point by now. So, does God have a problem with His people being wealthy?
The short answer is, it depends.
For one thing, leaders are held to higher standards. The Apostle Paul teaches us that the main thing false teachers have in common is their love for money.
1Timothy 6:3-10
The 1/2 brother of the LORD Jesus says this in James 3:1,
"...not many of you should be teachers in the church because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."
Jesus Himself was the one who warned us,
”Do not store up treasures here on earth for yourselves, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal."
(How well do you think that book title would sell?)
Why would He say that? Not because He hates wealthy people, my friends, but because He knows money can easily lead us away from Him.
Riches lead to idolatry, which God hates, which leads to envy and jealousy, which then lead to hatred and murder.
We’re surrounded by it.
”The root of all kinds of evil is the love of money.”
These charlatans only tell us what people want to hear. They promote books, games and other assorted products by distorting the Bible, making themselves wealthy.
I want to leave you with a thought. What if your best life isn't meant to be now at all?
If it is, we’re in trouble.
What is the message of Jesus then? Friends, it’s the cross! He calls sinners to repentance.
Matthew 4:17
Mark 1:15
Luke 24:47
Why repentance?
Because of the Bad News: All people are sinners. We commit crimes against God every day. We are guilty before Him. We all deserve hell.
He Brought the Good News: Christ died for sinners. He took the punishment we deserve. He was mocked, beaten, tortured, nailed to a criminal’s cross, dead, and buried. BUT, on the third day He rose victoriously—overcoming sin and death and hell for all who believe!
He is Messiah, the Anointed One, THE only Savior.
“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved!”
Saved from hell. Saved TO heaven.
Jesus said,
“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you (My people). And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may also be.” John 14:2
In Luke’s gospel, He describes His Fathers House as “Paradise.”
Now that’s the best life I can imagine!
Peace my friends xx
