Money comes from doing, earning, and saving. Money wisdom comes only from God, and not from the financial wisdom of the church.
So, if the pastor of a church lives in an expensive house, drives a luxurious car, or even flies a private plane, the attendants of that church will probably be inundated with "secular truths" of money, rather than the holy truths of the Bible.
An Illustration
The "prosperity gospel" (also known as the "health and wealth gospel") rewards those with an increase in faith with their increase in health and wealth. But that's a perversion of the gospel of Jesus, who said, "You cannot serve both God and money."
The "prosperity gospel" has increased its popularity among many American Christians because it teaches that God blesses those whom God favors most with "material wealth" and "good health."
Joel Osteen, the head of the Lakewood Church in Houston, has a tv ministry that reaches more than seven-million viewers. His 2004 book Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Best Potential has sold millions of copies. Osteen's message is: "God wants us to prosper financially, to have plenty of money, to have the destiny He has laid out for us."
The "prosperity gospel" focuses on "storing up treasures on Earth as a primary goal of faithful living" and "God will make you rich if praying the right way."
Living by faith, you remain a true believer, and you let go of many misconceptions of money and live a life of humility.
Stephen Lau
Living By Faith Is Living In Miracles
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