THE GOSPEL OF GREED AND ITS HINDRANCE TO EVANGELISM
Word/Faith proponent and false teacher Joel Osteen states:
”And if people can ever really see how good our God is, they’ll come running to Him.” [Sermon: The Great Commission]
Though the Bible makes it clear that God is good, this was never the approach of Christ, His apostles, or the early church to sinners.
How does such a statement from Osteen reconcile with John 6, where those Jesus blessed with physical blessings (loaves and fishes), walked away from Him and followed Him no more when He told them they must partake of His sufferings? They saw Him in the flesh and tasted His goodness with their own taste buds, and walked away, never to follow Him again.
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” John 6:66
These who walked away saw God’s goodness – they tasted it in the mouths He gave them. They ate His multiplied fish and bread. When they abandoned Jesus their stomachs were full of the goodness of the LORD, but their hearts were filled with selfishness and unbelief. They wanted His material wealth, but not His spiritual wealth, which would non-negotiably require them to lay down their lives and follow Him. They are burning this very moment in the flaming prison of fire (hell). Not one second has or ever will tick from eternity’s time clock.
Wolves patty cake with you because they want your money and could care less about your eternal soul (Isaiah 30:9-10; 2 Timothy:2-4; 2 Peter 2:1-3).
Contrary to the fairy tale message Osteen communicates, seeing God’s goodness never guaranties men will repent and be saved. Nor, was/is there any such speech or posture intimated when Jesus gave the Great Commission. This patty cake, bubble gum gospel, communicating a cotton candy “Christianity”, will win no one to Christ, and certainly make no disciples of Jesus. Osteen is of the false Word/Faith movement. Among many other heresies, the Word/Faith movement erroneously espouses the lie that when the world around us sees the material prosperity of “blessed” Christians, they will come to Christ. So, they believe it is God’s will for them to be materially rich in order to win the lost. Is this how Jesus told us to reach the lost? Is this how Christ told us the unsaved would be saved? No such notion, much less instruction is hinted of or given in the New Testament record. The preaching of the cross/Gospel is what causes men to repent and be saved.
Jesus said “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15
Many today are being taught that material wealth or lack thereof, is a direct measurement of one’s status with the LORD. This is exactly what gives their hearts license to pursue material prosperity, in the face of divine truth which guaranties that not one “covetous man who is an idolater” will be in Heaven – regardless of whether or not he had a past relationship with the LORD.
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” Ephesians 5:5-7
What could be plainer? All who pursue money in lieu of Christ as their first love are covetous idolators and will spend eternity in the lake of fire.
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24
Money is not the root of all evil – the love of it is (1 Tim. 6:10). God loves all of His people, regardless of the wealth they have or don’t have in this life and at this time.
“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” James 2:5
Note here that there are those who are “the poor if this world” who are “rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom.”
Does material prosperity enhance our walk with the LORD Jesus? No. More money means more responsibility and privilege to fund the true Gospel, but will not enhance the hearts of men. Spiritual blessing only comes from the riches purchased by Christ who died and is risen again, seated at His Father’s right hand making intercession of of His saints (Eph. 1; Col. 2). Any sane Christian person would obviously rather have money than not to have it, but money has nothing to do with one’s standing with God and the love of it only proves that “the love of the Father is not in us.” (1 Jn. 2:15-17)
Loving money and the things of this world that money can buy (covetousness), is idolatry. Idolatry is soul-damning sin. Jesus commanded: “Ye shall love the LORD your God with all your heart…..” (Matt. 12:37-39)
Their GOAL is your GOLD, not your SOUL! Get a clue! Read 2 Peter 2:1-3; Philippians 3:18-19.
Antoinette Yeboah writes:
“Paul offended, Peter, James and John offended. All of God’s servants offended dark hearts. How could they not? The true Gospel of Christ, goes against all societal norms and stirs the ire of modern day Pharisees and their loyal followers, who wallow in idolatry. They preach lies, deception and heresy to keep their followers satisfied and hoodwinked, while they milk them like cows. Then they laugh and slap each other on the back, behind the scenes. God sees all and the guilty shall not go unpunished.”
In stark contrast to the greed gospel so prevalent today, our LORD and His apostles actually taught that material prosperity can cause a man to lose out with God, for eternity.
“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.” Mark 10:25
“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:9-10
If our financial status is a direct indication of our spiritual life, some of us are in big trouble 🙂 Paul warned of this deception and told us to flee such falsehood and those who teach or espouse it:
“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.” 1 Timothy 6:3-5
If you read a new version of the Bible, the most important instruction in this text has been purposely removed (like so many other things in the new versions – do you see the hoof prints?). “From such withdraw thyself” at the end of verse 5 is removed in most new versions (which are corrupt). This all-important phrase is in the original Greek of the Textus Receptus majority text manuscripts.
We should boast alone is the fact that He has found us and made the way for us to know Him. God’s kingdom is all about King Jesus, not man’s pitiful pennies, all to be stripped away from him at his last breath – to stand naked before His Maker to give account of what he did with Christ and every penny given as a gift to him in his earthly life.
“Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24
May our heavenly Father bless us today to rejoice alone in Jesus, our Treasure (Col. 2:3). And We are His “precious fruit of the earth” (James 5:7-9).
“The principal hindrance to the advancement of the kingdom of God is greed. It is the chief obstacle to heaven-sent revival. It seems that when the back of greed is broken, the human spirit soars into regions of unselfishness. I believe that it is safe to say there can be no continuous revival without ‘hilarious’ giving. And I fear no contradiction: wherever there is ‘hilarious’ giving there will soon be revival!” — O.S. Hawkins, USA pastor
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Abiding
What is our Highest Priority as we see Christ’s Return Nearing? [podcast]

What’s most important?
How do we want Christ to find us when He splits the eastern sky?
“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62
“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:38
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
“And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” Luke 2:49
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14
“Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.” John 4:35-38
In light of the end time events transpiring before our eyes we are keeping our:
- Eyes to Jesus (Luke 21:28; Colossians 3:1-4; Hebrews 12:1-3).
- Hand to the plough of His work (Luke 9:62).
“…Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13
“All we can do is not look left or right but keep our eyes on Jesus. He’s coming soon! This is becoming a time when people’s hearts will fail them for fear! Luke 21:26. Because our world is definitely being shaken. Our foundation needs to be built on Christ, not sinking sand (Matthew 7:24-27). Or we will fall. Building our house means not just hearing God’s Word but obeying Him. Build your life on the Word of God! Then when these things come to pass you will not fall.” Karen Cochran
“The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15
Here’s one of the responses given to this man in that conversation:
“Nothing of this offends me. Just iron sharpening iron concerning sound doctrine (Titus 2:1). ‘But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine’ (Titus 2:1). 2 Peter 1:3-4 informs us that ‘ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness’ are found in God’s Word, in His ‘exceeding great and precious promises.’ Why then do we resort to using extra biblical symbolism, especially that which is out of a known pagan, blasphemous religion? Certainly the Holy Spirit is not behind such. If we are truly in Christ’s service, we should use Christ’s Word and not something contrary to it (Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 3:15-17). Do we not mislead when we do such?
There is no such thing as a Christian psychologist. Such must be denounced, and will be, unless we are still walking in the flesh and not the Spirit. Jesus taught against using titles (Matthew 23:8-12). Nothing Christian about Psychology. Title Touters safeguardyoursoul.com
Paul denounced….
“For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Philippians 3:3-11
Salvation, ministry, is all about Jesus Christ, not us.
“That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:29-31
“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Asking the LORD to strip you and build you from the ground up – HIS way and no other. Ask Him to remove every trace, every iota of flesh, of deceit, of evil (2 Corinthians 7:1).
“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12
WHO continues to get stronger and stronger? – “from strength to strength” ….
“They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.’ Psalms 84:7
Those who appear, go before the LORD in private prayer will be increased in divine power!
The Return of Jesus | Lukewarm is Hell Bound | Fresh Start with God | What Church is Jesus Coming Back for? [podcast]
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Abiding
“But God, who is Rich in Mercy” [podcast]

Ephesians 2:1-10
“1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
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Articles
Dancing on Hell’s Grave: Why We Need not Fear Death: Resurrection Joy – Fearless in Death [podcast]

Resurrection Joy – Fearless in Death
– Dancing on Hell’s Grave
“But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33
Dancing on Fear’s Grave!
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55
Those who are ready to die and be with Jesus do not fear death (1 John 4:16-18).
Eternal perspective. Hope for eternal rest, glory with Christ and the Father.
In Christ, when we close our eyes in death, we awake to the resurrection bliss of eternal joy with Him who is “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
“For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.” 1 Corinthians 15:16-21
We are fully confident that the moment we pass, we breathe our last, we shall “be present with the Lord.”
“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:6-8
The death of a Christian is not a tragedy.
Death is our passport to glory.
Death without Jesus Christ is the tragedy.
What have we to fear other than the long wait till we meet Him?!
“I think it’s sad to see so many who claim to be Christians
acting all worried about dying… I get excited more each day
about getting to be with the Lord.
The good ole days are just ahead!
Happy New Years!” Kirk
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
For the one who is truly in Christ, “to die is gain.”
“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” Hebrews 13:14
Jesus Christ is “the resurrection and the life” and will soon raise up into eternal glory all who truly know Him.
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11:25
Jesus Christ is the “Exceeding Great Reward” of every true believer (Genesis 15:1). They seek nothing more than Him! He is truly their “first love” and all consuming passion (Revelation 2:4-5). He’s coming back soon and He promised that He’s going to reward every man according to his work which is the reflection of of what’s in a man’s heart.
“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:12
Because Jesus rose again, all who are born again in Him are raised up spiritually in this life to overcome all sin, satan, and the world and will be soon raised up into eternal glory with Him.
“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” Romans 1:4
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
Where O Where is it! Now, say these blessed, divinely-inspired words of our LORD Jesus Christ aloud prayerfully –“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)
GOT FEAR? – “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalms 34:4) So, what is the divine prescription for being delivered from all fear? Read the verse again and you will notice that seeking the face of the LORD is your deliverance.
Seeking the LORD is always the answer. Getting delivered from “ALL” fear:
“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalms 34:4
Notice here that one must seek the LORD for deliverance from fear.
Why do we fear?
“People fear because their faith is in self, not in God. Therefore they try and meet their own needs. Matt. 6:33 says when we make God’s kingdom and His righteousness a priority He will meet our needs.” Karen Cochran
All fear shall be dispelled as the regenerated disciple diligently seeks the LORD – the only One who “is love.”
“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:16-18
When someone close to us passes on to the next life, dies, we need not fear, namely if they were known of God (Isaiah 57:1-2).
Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection
Remember how Jesus’ disciples were “exceeding sorry” when He foretold of His own death, burial, and resurrection?
“And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: 23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.” Matthew 17:22-23
Of this passage, Shadrack Rotich notes: “They were saddened and forgot to be encouraged by the Word of Jesus that in 3 days He was raising again.”
Because our LORD Jesus was raised from the dead, so we have full hope and confidence that so shall all who are known of Him. We need not therefore fear or sorrow.

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (raise up, make alive) your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11
“The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. 2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.” Isaiah 57:1-2
Pray this: Father thank You so very much for sending Your only begotten Son for me! Thank You that the Son of God died and You raised Him again to justify me and that Your resurrection life and power indwells me today as I abide identified with and in the death and burial of Jesus! Glory to God Most High! Thank You LORD Jesus for Your resurrection power to victoriously overcome all sin, Satan, and this sinful world and to be fruitful in helping others know You. I now look for Your soon return LORD Jesus. Amen Jesus!
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