Word-Faith Movement, page 8

CONFESSION AND WEALTH (continued)
__________________________________

In reference to Mark 6:37, Word-Faith proponents use this verse to argue that Jesus' disciples were rich. According to John Avanzini:

"You don't think these Apostles didn't walk around with money? I mean, they had money...Paul had the kind of money that people, that government officials would block up justice to try to get a bribe out of old Paul." (John Avanzini, TBN, January 20, 1991)

Since two-hundred denarii was equal to eight months pay, Avanzini and other Word-Faith leaders contend that the disciples "offer" to purchase 200 denarii worth of bread was indicative of their great wealth. Close examination of this verse, however, does not prove that the disciples were "mega" rich. In context, the disciples were not offering to purchase this amont of bread, but was actually indicating to Jesus that 200 denarii worth of bread was beyond their means. Since they did not possess the funds to feed 5,000 people, Jesus took five loaves of bread, two fish and induced a miracle that produced more than enough food to feed the multitudes (v 38-43).

While the Word-Faith teachers are contending that the disciples were rich, Peter is saying:

1) "Silver and gold I do not have..." (Acts 3:6)

2) Paul, the man who Avanzini claims had enough money to block up justice, says, "To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless..." (1 Cor. 4:11)

3) Paul also says, "But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: ....as poor, yet making many rich (spiritually); as having nothing, and yet possessing all things (spiritual riches)." (2 Cor. 6:4,10)

4) Again, Paul states: "I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone with food; I have been cold and naked." (2 Cor. 11:27)

5) He continues stating, "And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content." (1 Timothy 6:8)

6) The author of Hebrews states: "They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented -- of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth." (Heb. 11:37)

7) Furthermore, in Luke 22:36, Jesus says to the disciples: "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." If the disciples were rich, they would be able to purchase a sword rather than sell their clothes in order to buy one.

How anyone can read these passages, yet contest that the disciples were rich is nothing short of a convenient denial of reality to preserve an agenda. With militant vigilance, Word-Faith proponents blatantly defy doctrinal purity to shield their program of flock fleecing; confidently aware that the flock will gladly tolerate their false teachings. (2 Cor. 11:4,13-15)
______________________________________________________________________________________

Another ploy of the Word-Faith teachers' prosperity gospel involves the "hundredfold" principle. They refer to Mark 10:29-30 and use it as a guaranteed jackpot formula. To the discerning eye, "Word-Faith Teachers Gone Wild" can be viewed periodically on "The Blasphemy Network (TBN)" pushing their "hundredfold" doctrine to those who will "just go to the phone" with their credit cards and plant a "seed of faith." If you plant ten dollars or tithe on your income, God is obligated to reciprocate with a hundredfold return in the amount of one-thousand dollars or tenfold of your tithe respectively. The investment returns can also include cars, homes, divine health, etc. In her book, Gloria Copeland says:

"Give one house and receive one hundred houses or one house worth one hundred times as much. Give one airplane and receive one hundred times the value of the airplane. Give one car and the return would furnish you a lifetime of cars. In short, Mark 10:30 is a very good deal."
(Gloria Copeland, "God's Will Is Prosperity", Page 54)

So what is the correct interpretation of Mark 10:29-30? Using a metaphorical expression, Jesus was telling the people that if they will leave everything and follow Him, then they will receive a "hundredfold" return in a way that relates to inheriting an entire new household of believers. They would enter into the family of God and experience a compounding of close fellowship with others (Mark 3:31-35, Acts 2:41-47, 1 Timothy 5:1-2). The natural result of this new family would yield a sharing of "houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands..." If this passage was about acquiring money, purchasing new homes, cars, and obtaining divine health as professed by the Word-Faith teachers, then the rich young ruler would have followed Christ rather than go his own way (Mark 10:22).
______________________________________________________________________________________

In reference to Luke 6:38, wealth advocates teach that, "good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over", are code terms meaning an abundance of wealth and miracles. After citing this verse, Creflo Dollar encourages his followers to:

"Pray over your seed and expect an abundant harvest." (Creflo Dollar Ministries Website)

While it is true that God will bless those who give liberally, it is the misuse and abuse of this verse that promotes more scriptural revisionism. Not surprisingly, Word-Faith proponents have redefined the context of the verse; teaching an extreme viewpoint that contradicts the Word of God.

In proper context, "good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over" was simply another metaphorical expression that Jesus exerted to illustrate the rewards one is recompensed if he gives to those in need. Jesus used this metaphorical expression in a manner that could be identified with the food market. A salesperson, obliged for earlier generosity, is inclined to return generosity to his customers. So that a liberal amount of grain could be given, the salesperson would "press down" and "shake" it "together" to make room for more grain until it eventually overflowed. Although there were some men in the Bible who possessed an abundance of material wealth, this synopsis is a far cry from a blanket prescriptive policy for attaining worldly riches.

Wealth proponents incessantly refer to Acts 10:34 to argue that God is not a "respecter of persons." If He will make some men in the Bible wealthy, then it is assumed that it's His will for everyone to be rich in material possessions. This syllogism, however, contradicts scripture; and violates God's sovereignty. In Exodus 33:19 and Romans 9:15, God says, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion." These verses clearly indicates that God is not obligated to anyone; and He gives according to His sovereign discretion. Thus, in proper context, Acts 10:34 is pertaining to salvation. Anyone who accepts Jesus Christ will be saved (v 35-36).
______________________________________________________________________________________

With respect to John 14:13-14, Word-Faith teachers claim that every believer in Christ has the privilege of attaining the desires of his heart as long as he has enough faith for it and is living a life void of unrepentant sin. Asking in Jesus' name, having much faith coupled with holy living seems to gives any person the opportunity to request a blank check from God with His signature on it. With this check, one is free to purchase divine health, expensive homes, cars, and many other possessions.

Fortunately for our sakes, this is not how God operates. No more than an earthy father will give his children whatever they ask for, likewise, our heavenly Father does not grant our every request. God knows what is best for His children; and thus, there are times when He will say, "No", to a request made in prayer. When God denies a request, one can be assured that it was done on account that the petition was not according to His will. Word-Faith proponents, however, deny the fact that we should pray according to God's will. As reported by Word-Faith teachers:

"Never, ever, ever go to the Lord and say, 'If it be thy will...." Don't allow such faith-destroying words to be spoken from your mouth." (Benny Hinn, "Rise & Be Healed" Page 47)

"If you have to say, 'If it be thy will or Thy will be done' if you have to say that, then you're calling God a fool...." (Fred Price, "Ever Increasing Faith", TBN, November 16, 1990)

"It is unscriptural to pray, 'If it is the will of God.' " (Kenneth Hagin, "Exceeding Growing Faith", Page 10)

Here we have some of the most blasphemous statements imaginable spawned from the Word-Faith camp. And it is incredible how large numbers of gullible Christians have accepted this doctrine of heresy when the Word of God clearly states:

1) "He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, 'O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.'" (Matt. 26:39)

2) "But took leave of them saying, 'I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.'" (Acts 18:21)

3) "So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, 'The will of the Lord be done.' " (Acts 21:14)

4) "Making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you." (Rom. 1:10)

5) "Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (Rom. 8:27)

6) "That I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you."
(Romans 15:32)

7) "But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power." (1Cor. 4:19)

8) "And this we will do if God permits." (Heb. 6:3)

9) "Then I said, 'Behold I have come--In the volume of the book it is written of Me --To do Your will, O God.'" (Heb. 10:7)

10) "Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.'" (James 4:15)

11) "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." (1 John 5:14)

These eleven verses are among many others that overwhelmingly show that it is God's will that shall be done; not our own as taught by Word-Faith teachers. It is interesting how these false teachers will allege that it is God's will for believers to be wealthy, then contradict themselves when they dispute the sovereignty of God's will; attempting to reconstitute it as subservient to man's will. It is equally interesting to note, that according to Fred Price, Jesus, Paul and other saints of the Bible would be guilty of calling God a fool; since the scriptures clearly show that they prayed according to God's will.

In light of John 14:13 -- Since Jesus prayed according to God's will (Matt. 26:39), to ask in His name means that we ask according to His nature and character. Thus, when we pray with a request, we should submit our petition according to God's will (1 John 5:14). Taking this action illustrates that we are conforming to His wishes rather than our own. It is our affirmation that we have more trust in God's infinite wisdom than in our limited abilities.
______________________________________________________________________________________