The Strand Study Bible

PROVERBS

973

PROVERBS

Being poor is a sin… 1 Unfortunately, somebody forgot to tell King Solomon what this enthusiast believes because Solomon said in Proverbs 16:16: How much better is it to get wisdom than gold… According to the Bible, it’s not a sin to be poor (I Tim 6:6-11), but it is a sin to tell others that being poor is a sin. God has always been interested in his people being wise, not wealthy, in being lowly, not loaded. Proverbs 16:19 says: Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. God has always been interested in his people experiencing peace, not prosperity. Proverbs 17:1 says: Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. According to the bible, “health and wealth” is never a substitute for wisdom, humility, and peace. Another Word of Faith Movement enthusiast was quoted as saying: Get the spirit-man renewed…when he’s strong, he’ll hold off sickness…you want to prosper? Money will be falling on you from left, right and center. God will begin to prosper you, for money always follows righteousness … 2 Unfortunately, somebody forgot to tell King David what this enthusiast believes because the sweet Psalmist of Israel, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said in Psalm 37:16: A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. Somebody also forgot to tell the Apostle Paul. He said in Philippians 3:8:

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

God is and always has been interested in his people being righteous, not righteous and rich. Most of the “few” verses that are used to support the “health and wealth philosophy” are found in the Old Testament and point to promises made to the people of God (the nation of Israel), not the children of God (Christians) (Deut 8:17-18 & Eccl 5:18-19 & Mal 3:10). The Apostle Paul warned Pastor Timothy in I Timothy 6:6-11:

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 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. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

According to the bible, “health and wealth” is never a substitute for righteousness. Paul admonished church leaders to flee these things (the health and wealth philosophy), not “fleece things.” He taught Christians to be content with change, not cash. The “health and wealth” crowd has done a great disservice not only to the body of Christ, but also to those who happen to look to Christianity for the answers to life. Peter also warned believers concerning the “health and wealth philosophy” and those who preach it when he said in II Peter 2:3: And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: Curtis Crenshaw in Man as God: The Word of Faith Movement notes: They do it by intimidation, trickery, lies and most powerfully of all, teaching that appeals to the common lusts of humanity. After all, who would not like to believe that health, money, affluence, and success are ours for the claiming? In a culture that is selfish, materialistic, and proud, the Health and Wealth message is bound to be popular. People with itching ears heap to themselves teachers who make the promises they want to hear. Meanwhile, the tolerance for sound doctrine is dangerously low. 3 No Christian should ever measure his self-worth by his “net worth.” Contrary to popular belief, God is not a celestial ATM machine. THE ADAGE IS TRUE: Our goal as Christians ought to be ‘what’s right,’ not ‘what’s in it for me’ ( Mt 10:16 a ) Brennan Manning in The Signature of Jesus notes: In this closing decade of the twentieth century, what separates the committed from the uncommitted is the depth and quality of our love for Jesus Christ. The superficial build bigger barns in the euphoria of the prosperity gospel; the trendy follow the latest fad and try to hum their way to heaven; the defeated are haunted by ghosts from the past. And the victorious minority, unintimidated by the cultural patterns of the lock-stepping majority, celebrate as though he were near, near in time, near in place, the witness of our motives, our speech, our behavior. As indeed he is. 4 1 “ The Price of Success .” Let Us Reason Ministries. (2008). 13 Jan 2008 . 2 Jewel van der Merwe. Joel’s Army . Discernment Ministries. 3 Crenshaw, Curtis I. Th. D. Man as God: The Word of Faith Movement . Spring, TX: Footstool Publications. 1994. Print. 4 Manning, Brennan. The Signature of Jesus, Sisters , OR, Multnomah Books, 1988. Print.