False Teachings About Money

Are you using your money to earn righteousness before God? Maybe you’ve been taught a false gospel!

I frequently encounter two extreme teachings about money and finances. One is the prosperity gospel which promotes living by certain rules and giving generously to a church or ministry of a teacher to bring financial blessing. In other words, if you do this, you’ll get that. Some teachers are complete con artists while others are sincere but sincerely wrong. They emphasize worldly wealth instead of the true riches of God. It’s a lie that takes advantage of many sincere followers.

In the other camp, and equally wrong, are teachers of the poverty gospel. They swing to the extreme opposite direction teaching that material possessions are evil, rich people are ungodly and that self-denial is a means to earn righteousness in God’s eyes.

Many in the world are enslaved by one of these extreme teachings. They don’t know that God is the owner and provider of all things and we are His stewards. We’re to be faithful with the little – or the abundance – he provides, characterized by what we give, not what we get.

Worldly wealth veils the true riches found in Christ.

“…those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:6-10)  

Let us agree with Proverbs 30: 8-9,“Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.”

If you need encouragement, wise counsel or simply prayer regarding your finances, we are standing by during office hours. Call the Crown Help Line at 800 722-1976 or visit Crown.org