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THERE IS A RIGHT AND A WRONG PROSPERITY MESSAGE – Ray E Horton
I have often seen Christians make an erroneous connection between Word of Faith preachers and a greedy “Prosperity Gospel.” I have seen materialistic preachers on TV with “give to me to get blessed” messages, but I have never heard it in Word of Faith churches, only Biblical messages of having faith to receive in order to be good stewards. if you disagree, read Kenneth E. Hagin’s “The Midas Touch.” Here, is a good message on the subject from a brother from Rhema Bible Training College (emphasis and subheads are mine – Ray):
Filthy Lucre – Guy Duininck
Scripture sometimes speaks of the getting of money as “being greedy of filthy lucre.” Does that mean money is Filthy? Or does that mean that money becomes Filthy when it is obtained in ways that are forbidden by Scripture? Does that mean money is Filthy? Or does that mean that money becomes Filthy when it is obtained by calculated means, using the position of ministry in the church.
Money becomes Filthy when it is obtained by calculated means, using the position of ministry in the church
I don’t believe money is Filthy or Unclean. And having money, even being rich, is never described by God as being Dirty or as a sin. There are, however, Godly ways and ungodly ways of obtaining money. If you steal money, you have broken God’s law. The money gotten from stealing isn’t Filthy Money; it’s Illegal Money. But when the ministry is used as a means to get money – to profit personally by the misuse of God’s people – then that money is Dirty Money. It is not God Blessed money; it is God Forbidden money.
Dirty Money > Dirty Hands
I believe that we have some modern-day ministers who have profited financially and personally in ways and at levels that are not endorsed by God. They have used their giftings, their charisma, and their positions to profit financially in ways beyond what would be acceptable to God. In other words, more money than what God would approve has come into their hands by the means of their ministries. That money, being gained by a misuse of ministry, is Dirty Money. And when that money touches their hands, they also have Dirty Hands.
The church – believers – must be aware of the important qualifications God has established for those who will be His ministers, including the important qualification of not being greedy for money. Believers should be careful what ministers they follow and should be careful where they give their money. They shouldn’t be too quick to give to those ministers who promise great returns on their giving or special connections with God because of their giving or breakthrough miracles from their giving.
Believers should look for true ministers of God who will serve the truth to them without condition and who are willing to care for them with a “ready mind” — whether it profits them or not.
