It is just quite amazing how wealthy
preachers and celebrity speakers always have a big following and how
they become even more wealthy. Why is that? Is it because God is
blessing them or are they making money from speakers fees, like the
politicians? Their followers buy their books, videos, tapes and
paraphernalia. They pay top dollar for a good seat
at their shows and seminars. They travel far and wide to listen to
them, to be touched by them. They pay large amounts of money to stand
in line to meet them, be baptized by them, or to have them lay hands
on them.
Many believe that they will reap godly wealth if they
sow into the pockets of these blessed speakers, and so the speakers
increase in wealth and stature, they become even richer and more
famous.
People like to listen to and associate with these rich and
famous preachers and speakers, who often build mega churches and draw
a huge following. These great names are the main attraction. They get
paid large amounts of money to appear and speak in churches and at
conferences. They are in demand, busy, always on the move. They keep
on writing more and publishing more books, and so they keep on
increasing their personal wealth and fame.
However, here is the
problem. Jesus said:”If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must
deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”Matthew
16:24. He said to the rich young ruler:”Go and sell your
possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in
heaven; and come, follow Me.” Matthew 19:21. The disciples of Jesus
were none of them rich. They gave up everything to follow
Jesus.
Jesus warned that “it is easier for a camel to
go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the
kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:24.
People like to run after rich
and famous people, celebrities, but they do not like to follow Jesus
or His servants because His followers do not treasure or accumulate
riches.
Here is another thing . Jesus said to His disciples:”You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”Mark 13:13. Jesus never said His followers will be admired and that they will become rich and famous.
What are these wealthy preachers and celebrity speakers? Are they followers of Jesus? Are they His disciples? Jesus said:”15“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.16“You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17“So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18“A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20“So then, you will know them by their fruits.
21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’Matthew 7:15-23.
Do these preachers teach you to deny yourself, stop sinning, be holy, be righteous, be baptized in water, be filled with the Holy Spirit, to follow and obey Jesus? Or do they teach you about grace, money, blessings and prosperity? Do they bring you to repentance and obedience to Jesus or do they make you feel, blessed, loved, deserving and favored by God? Do they make you feel good about yourself and justified in your sin?
The words of Jesus are the words of eternal life but they are harsh on unrepentant sinners and hypocrites. At one stage “many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. 67So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” 68Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.” John 6:66.
Are you listening to these false prophets? Do you watch their videos on Youtube and see they have hundreds of thousands of views? Do you turn on the TV and watch their programs? Do you admire their glamour and riches, their wealth and prosperity? Are you impressed by their sayings? Do you support them, buy their books and send them money, so that they can get even more rich and famous and take more souls to hell with them?
Who do you listen to, dear friend? Do you listen to Jesus and follow Him on the lonely narrow road, the road less traveled? Are you one of His sheep, do you know His voice, or do you listen to and follow after the false prophets?
May Jesus bless you.
finalcall07 