Should we preach money or something else ?

I know that many prosperity preachers or radical grace preachers would be quick to reply, "No, we have never preached money and would never preach money ! BUT we are not ashamed to preach the power to create it. We preach the favour, the grace, the goodnews, and the gospel of prosperity to create it. We preach Jesus and Jesus is the power to help us to create more money, more wealth, more blessings, more bread, more prosperity, more riches, more favours, more jobs, more careers, more businesses, .. etc. We tell people how to think like the king or the prince and have success like them too.. Of course, if we want to be as successful as king Solomon or king David, we must think like the king and live like one.. Hence, if you think positive, you would become positive.. if you think rich, you would be rich too. So, what's wrong if we will just do that or preach that?"
I will tell them, Yes, you are right to say that you don't preach money. BUT your subsequent preaching or whatever that you said subsequently 'swallowed up' and nullify whatever you had said earlier. Why? You are still preaching money and, in fact, more money. In fact, preaching of more power or more lust to create money or wealth, is more materialistic and religious than the preaching of money itself. If every Sunday, you have to remind the people that you are right to do that (that is to preach more wealth or more money in the name of God or Jesus Christ to create bigger church, bigger building, bigger empire, or bigger 'bestseller', or bigger 'business'), it is hard to believe that you have the right focus on the gospel of Jesus Christ. That's why Jesus had to destroy the temple and the whole religious system of the Jews so that no one could use that excuse again to build their own religious lust, business, or empire. Isn't it still God's will for us to build an entirely new religious system, business, or revolution for Him under the New Testament today? We don't have to argue about it on the pulpit every Sunday because we know the answer. The Bible has shown us clearly that, in fact, someone had thought of doing it as a monetary investment, business, empire, or transaction in Act 8:12-24 under the New Testament too. In fact, he had the personal charisma, convincing capability, knowledge, and past experience to promote something and make it big. I will talk about him later.
Many prosperity preachers argued that they have always been persecuted or falsely accused. They said that they are not prosperity preachers; but they are health and wealth preachers, because Jesus was a health and wealth preacher too. I would say,

• **What's the difference?
• It is like Satan telling us that he is not Satan; but a 'better' devil, because he would never ask people to kill or steal; but to prosper and have better life only. Gen 3:4-5 KJV And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:  (5)  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Mat 4:3 KJV  And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
• It is also like the false prophets telling the Lord that they were not false prophets; but the preachers of God, because they preached like Him: Mat 7:15-23 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16) Ye shall know them by their fruits. .. (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  Luk 6:46-48 KJV  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?  (47)  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:  (48)  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood (false doctrine) arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Hence, Jesus said clearly that He would not just want us to have right believing, right faith, right miracles, right preaching, or right confession only; he wants us to have right doing with His words too, because right doing would prove that we are His true disciples on the rock of salvation.)

Of course, I am not saying that all the prosperity preachers are Satan or the devils. It is just a metaphor to show that some of them could argue like the devils. But the word of the Lord is very clear: The devils would argue that they are not the devils; so would the false prophets. They would argue that they could never be the false prophets, because they had been preaching God or Jesus. But I would tell them, Please think with your anointed brain, How can you be God's preachers if you preached your own lawless doctrine? You may even preach it as grace or the word of God in the name of Jesus. However, if you lie, twist, and turn, to deceive the people that the commandments of God and Jesus Christ have all become obsolete, how can you expect Jesus to give you special favour or radical grace (or a fictitious grace which is greater than all your past, present, and future sins and it makes God incapable of condemning you)? You may argue that you have been falsely accused or ungraciously judged by us; however, your argument will never change what the Lord will do. Your argument can only bring 'temporal' relief and comfort to those who have followed you.   

There is nothing wrong to work for money; but to preach for money? Hmmm..
We have to read the Bible to find out more. Some of them would say, "We preach only Jesus. Please don't falsely accuse us. Don't pretend. Don't you like riches, prosperity, money, and the power to create wealth? If you deny it, you are lying. If you don't love money and prosperity, why do you work hard? Why do you hope for promoting? Why were  happy when you won lucky draws? Why did you buy bigger houses and invested for more returns? Why.. It shows that you love money and prosperity too. Don't be hypocrites .."
I will ask them, What?

• Do you preach Jesus as a means to help you to create more money or more wealth ?
• Do you think that we can treat God or Jesus like a 'genie' in the bottle?

If this is the biblical principle, Judas Iscariot who used Jesus or considered Jesus as the means to help him to create more money would have praises from Jesus. Simon, the sorcerer in the Acts 8, would be praised by Peter too for using the Holy Spirit as a means to create fame and benefits for himself:

• Act 8:12-24 KJV But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:.. (13) Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done ... (20) But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  (21)  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. (22)  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.  (23)  For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.  (24)  Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

Of course, Peter did not just think that Simon was so naive that he would just buy the gift to prosper the church or the body of Christ. Peter knew that Simon was thinking of buying the gift for himself so that he could become some one great in the churches among his brethren. Peter rebuked Simon without reservation because he knew that Simon's thought was totally not acceptable in the eyes of God.


It is not the will of God to 'sell' or 'prosper'  through the gospel
Hence, based on many teaching from the Bible and the rebukes of the Lord against the Pharisees, we know that it is not the will of God for us to use the name of Jesus, the preaching of Jesus, the gospel of salvation, the favours of God, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, or the preaching of the Holy Spirit, to prosper ourselves or to prosper others. We must go back to the Bible and find out what is the primary purpose of preaching the gospel, the gift, the name, or the teaching of Jesus?  If our focus has shifted to something else, we could have made the gospel of Jesus Christ of none effect and become the false prophets.

• 2Ti 3:1-17 KJV  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  (6)  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  (7)  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. ..(13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  (14)  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;  (15)  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  (16)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
• Mat 7:15-24 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  (17)  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  (18)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  (19)  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  (24)  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
• Luk 6:46-48 KJV  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?  (47)  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:  (48)  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood (false doctrine) arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Hence, Jesus said clearly that He would not just want us to have right believing, right faith, right miracles, right preaching, or right confession only; he wants us to have right doing with His words too, because right doing would prove that we are His true disciples on the rock of salvation.)

How will God's preachers or the 'law preachers' become 'radical grace' preachers?
Lately I realised that there is a common pattern in the fall of God's preachers. They might have started as God's preachers who were diligent and sound in the doctrine, laws, and commandments of God. They were normally what the radical grace preachers would accuse as 'law preachers' or 'legalistic preachers'.
But when they lost their patience and became jealous or seduced by the success or prosperity of other preachers, they switched and became prosperity preachers:

• Rev 14:12 KJV  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

They could not keep God's commandments or could not have the conviction to keep God's commandments. They might not leave churches and depart into the world. But they would continue to preach the gospel and the faith of Jesus Christ. However, they would have to constantly battled against their inner guilt for departing from the laws and commandments of God. This explains why, in the long run, the fallen preachers whether they be God's preachers or prosperity preachers, will ultimately embrace the doctrine of radical grace to justify themselves for departing from God's words and principles. They could have gained too much popularity, prosperity, riches, or wealth - it became too much for them to handle. In order to maintain or to keep the same level of gain in their wealth or prosperity, they could be under the pressure to depart from more and more God's laws and commandments until, finally, they would just declare and conclude that God's laws, the laws, or any laws are just not for them and their congregations. They have not fallen from the law; they have fallen from grace because they have denied the Lord and taught others to follow their lawless conviction.

• Mat 13:22 KJV  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
• Luk 8:13-14 KJV  They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.  (14)  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

Have we asked, Why did Jesus say that the deceitfulness of riches will choke the word; but He did not say that the deceitfulness of other things eg. law, power, money, fame, sex, pleasures, or health, will choke the word? It's because the riches could be all of them or could buy all of them in this life. Hence, riches is, of course, something that is much more appealing than just the law, the power, the currency, sex, or pleasures. In another words, riches has more seductive power to get not only the lawless sinners but also lawless believers. In fact, it may get religious believers or spiritual believers, even God's elect:

• Mat 24:24-26 KJV  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  (25)  Behold, I have told you before.  (26)  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
• Mar 13:21-23 KJV  And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:  (22)  For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.  (23)  But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

Jesus is different from the god of fortune preached by the world, for the world, and to the world
Many preachers today, including the radical grace preachers, have preached Jesus as the god of wealth and health, god of favour, or god of prosperity, like the Chinese god of fortune and longevity. Most of the prosperity preachers today would argue, "No, we can never preach other gods or another god because we always ensure that we preach or mention the name of Jesus whenever we preach the God who prosper us or the God who is too good to be true.." I will tell them, No, by mentioning the name of Jesus repeatedly or convincing others that your God had been crucified on the cross, it does not necessarily mean that you are preaching Jesus or the gospel of Jesus Christ. Why? Of course, it is possible for the false prophets to preach their god of fortune and 'put it on the cross' to deceive the people too. They may preach many things to convince the people that they are preaching Jesus, but the Lord will tell them to depart from Him:

• Mat 7:15-23 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? .. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
• Luk 6:46-48 KJV  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?  (47)  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:  (48)  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood (false doctrine) arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Hence, Jesus said clearly that He would not just want us to have right believing, right faith, right miracles, right preaching, or right confession only; he wants us to have right doing with His words too, because right doing would prove that we are His true disciples on the rock of salvation.)

Hence, we know that there is something which we can differentiate between Jesus and the god of fortune. Of course, we don't differentiate by their names, by the way they dress or how well they can dress, or by how much they can prosper us; but it is by their words, teaching, doctrine, and commandments. I am not very sure what the gods of fortune would say apart from their 'too good to be true' promises and good fortune; but I am sure they have no doctrine, no law, and no commandments. Hence, when the radical grace preachers would only emphasize on grace, favour, fortune, prosperity, effortless riches, supernatural health, and longevity, by casting away all God's laws and commandments and confuse the people about God's doctrine, I know that they have rejected Christ and deliberately preached their gods or another god.

• Mat 6:29-33 KJV  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  (30)  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  (31)  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (32) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  (33)  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Many may argue that they have preached from the sermon of Jesus and insist that seek ye first the kingdom of God is to seek prosperity in the kingdom of God. They twist it to convince the people that Jesus was preaching the prosperity gospel. I will tell them:

1. Firstly, please recall what you have preached. Did you tell others that all the teaching of Jesus before His resurrection had become obsolete or not applicable to the believers under the New Covenant? If you had said so, please don't twist your words again to tell the people that we should believe you.
2. Secondly, if you are teaching the words of Jesus faithfully, please read the words of the Lord again at Mat 6:32 - For after all these things do the Gentiles seek. Do you know what it means? It means that the world would still seek for all these things or preach for all these things. But we are not from this world. Hence, how can we interpret that Jesus wants us to preach the gospel of prosperity or the things of the world ? No, Jesus would want us to focus on the kingdom of God and His righteousness instead of focusing on the the things of the world or the things which prosper us (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek). Hence, we don't have to focus, argue, think, confess, or preach like the world or the Gentiles. We know that all these things shall be added to us without us preaching it. Hence, instead of thinking, confessing, and teaching the doctrine for more prosperity radically, we would think, confess, and teach the doctrine for the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
   

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