Prosperity Gospel???

Portable-ize it: Make it RHYME (no WIN in COMPARISON), ALLITERATE it, make it ECHO (who are of infinite worth to the infinite God), use a METAPHORE (the Root of murder is anger...only God can uproot it from our hearts), or make it CONTRAST (a life devoted to self, leave you alone)

WELCOME

Good morning!!!

Happy Father’s Day!!!

My name is Ryan Hanson, and I have the honor of serving here at The Light KC as the lead pastor. I’m so glad you’re here with us.

‌Welcome to those joining us online. We hope you're doing well and hope to see you in person in the coming weeks.

And a special welcome to those joining us for the first time. We’re so glad you chose to be here.

ME/INTRO - Tension

So...

I was flipping through the HBO Max app a while ago and saw a show that caught my attention.

Have any of you heard of the show The Righteous Gemstones?

[Righteous Gemstone image]

HBO described the show as follows:

“Well into the second generation of a grand televangelist tradition, the world-famous Gemstone family is living proof that worship pays dividends in all sizes...As the family battles numerous threats to their renowned religious empire, they continue to spread the good word... and make a solid buck doing so.”

I watched the first few episodes, but had to stop. I had PTSD from the days of the basic cable televangelists of my youth.

Anyone remember cable televangelists?

I remember vividly a televangelist sermon on Matthew 13:1-23, the Parable of the Sower.

It was preached something like this...

Jesus taught the people of His day in parables. He used metaphors from every day life. Since most people in Jesus’ day were farmers, He taught one such parable about planting.

Matthew 13:3–9 NIV

3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

These televangelist preachers would go on to ask the crowd if they knew how farming works.

They explained that if you plant a tomato seed, you get a tomato. If you plant a corn seed, you get corn.

They extrapolated into their application by saying...

If you feel like your life is crazy and you need time, give God time by spending it with Him in His word.

If you feel like life is beating you down and you need comfort, give comfort to those suffering in your life.

If you feel like nobody cares about you and you need some solid friendships, care for others through service.

Then they’d pause, build the suspense...and they’d say...

AND if your budget is not balancing and more money is going out every month than is coming in, you need to give God the tithe He’s owed.

And just like Jesus’ Parable of the Sower, if you give money to God, He will bless you financially 30x, 60x, or 100x what you have given.

Then they’d pass the baskets in the auditorium they were in and put the phone number on the screen so everyone watching could give as well.

Some of these televangelists even went as far as to say that if you give to a certain level they will personally pray for you by name for the next 30 days.

This is known as the Prosperity Gospel. If you give to the church, God will give you orders of magnitude more than you give.

WE - Tension

Yet...is this the way God functions?

Is our relationship with God a simple “if / then” transactional arrangement?

If we give financially to the church or obey God’s commands, does God owe us?

Last week we looked at how the Bible pretty clearly states that God does have a quid-pro-quo (this for that) relationship with us with regards to justice and mercy. That God will judge us to the degree we judge others and show us the mercy that we extend to others.

But...does this apply across the board like the televangelists preach?

That is what we’re going to discuss to day as we answer our HOT ONE’s question of the week,

We are not at the 3rd of 6 heat levels. The wall has changed to orange.

“Is there any truth to the prosperity gospel? Does God reward our obedience?”

For the last two weeks we’ve been in a series based on the YouTube celebrity interview show HOT ONE’s where they answer questions while eating hot wings.

Over the last two weeks we’ve tackled questions on

“when the church is supposed to adapt to culture and when it should stand apart?”

“how we balance our desire for justice with Jesus’ call to be merciful?”.

If you missed the previous messages, please feel free go to our website, TheLightKC.org, to catch up.

As we begin, please turn with me to [Matthew 13]

We’ll have the scripture on the screen, but if you have a Bible with you, or Bible app on your phone, I’d encourage you to turn to the passage and follow along. There is nothing that replaces having God’s word in your hand.

AND... if you don’t have a Bible, we have Bibles under the seats. If you don’t have a bible and would like one, please come see me after the service and I’ll get you one you can keep.

Let's dive in.

GOD - Text

What I find truly sad about the televangelist’s presentation of the Parable of the Sower is that, with that parable in particular, later in the chapter, Jesus explains in detail exactly what He meant by it. There is no confusion. He explains to the disciples exactly what seeds are planted and what crop they will harvest from them.

In Matthew 13:18-23, Jesus explains.

Matthew 13:18–23 NIV

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

The seed in the Parable of the Sower is the planting of the word of God in your heart.

The crop of that planted seed is the fruits of the spirit in your life that God uses to minister to others.

The parable has nothing to do with money. Jesus even directly calls out the deceitfulness of wealth. It has to do with planting God’s word in your heart and becoming a person with the type of soil, or character, that God can use to grow His Kingdom.

But...even if the televangelists took some liberties with the Parable of the Sower we have to acknowledge that there are other verses that are used to promote the Prosperity Gospel.

Proverbs 3:9-10

Proverbs 3:9–10 NIV

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

or Malachi 3:8-10

Malachi 3:8–10 NIV

8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

I think the broad concept that God does bless us is clear, but

If you give financially, does God bless you financially? as the prosperity Gospel preaches.

To answer that, I think we need to take a step back. One good method of reading the Old Testament is to look in the New Testament and see if the concepts in the old testament are confirmed. Remember Jesus came to fulfill the law. So, let’s take a look at a few of the teachings in the New Testament on money.

Paul, in the book of Galatians speak directly to the concept of sowing and reaping. In Galatians 6:7-8, Paul writes...

Galatians 6:7–8 NIV

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Paul is not preaching a direct quid-pro-quo, transactional relationship with God. Paul is presenting a general warning about the direction our lives will go based on the priorities we set and the choices we make.

If we prioritize the flesh (wealth, pleasure, any selfish pursuit), we will reap spiritual destruction. If we choose to sin (act against the desires / commands of God) we are choosing to walk a path that leads to eternal destruction. A commentator wrote that, “Hell is just sin ripened.” Some people literally experience a type of Hell on earth, when their sin catches up to them.

Yet...if we prioritize the things of God (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control), we will reap eternal life. We are choosing to develop the character (or soil) God can use to build His Kingdom.

So the sowing and reaping is not a direct quid-pro-quo per Paul. It is a commentary on the general direction your life will go depending on the priorities you set and the subsequent choices you make.

So I ask you...

What are you sowing?

What priorities drive you life?

What choices are you making based on these priorities?

Will those priorities and choices lead you down the road to destruction or eternal life with God?

BUT...you’re probably thinking, that verse doesn’t speak to money at all.

Can I have right priorities and still be rich?

Or does that mean that all money is bad.

Are we all called to become monks that have no money and spend out days serving others under a vow of poverty?

Paul speak of this directly when he writes to his mentee, Timothy. In 1 Timothy 6:5-11, Paul writes:

1 Timothy 6:5–11 NIV

5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

Paul writes that godliness does not lead to financial gain.

We are not promised riches by God for believing the right things, obeying his commands, or giving financially to the church.

Paul writes that godliness with contentment is great gain, but says nothing about that gain being financial.

In fact, when you look up the word Paul used for Godliness we get an idea of what gain he’s talking about.

Godliness, eusebeia, as used here, can be defined as “the product of a life which is lived in the light of eternity.”

By being Godly we are setting our priorities to align with God’s and focusing on the eternal.

Which, Paul clearly says money is not eternal, as we cannot bring it with us when we die.

But, to be fair, Paul does not say that having money, or being wealthy is bad.

The problem is not having money. As Paul writes, the problem is loving money. Because when we love something we make it a priority above everything else. And when money is a priority, we easily get tempted to doing some terrible things to acquire more. The love of money tempts us to sin in all kinds of ways; lie, cheat, steal, selfishly hoard, refuse to give when called to by God, etc.

The problem is not money itself, again Paul makes the point that the problem is with our priorities and what motivates us.

So I ask you again...

What is the driving motivation in your life? What is your top priority?

Serving yourself by acquiring money, luxuries, and sense of security from a certain sized bank account

Serving others by allowing God to use all that you have, money included, to help those in need and spread the good news of Jesus to the lost.

So...if the Prosperity Gospel is not true, if we’re called to make God the priority in our lives and view money as a tool that God blesses us with to use to serve and bless others, how do we do that?

Jesus gave another teaching in Matthew 6 that sheds some light on the accumulation of wealth.

Jesus teaches...

Matthew 6:19–24 NIV

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

A commentator on this verse, writes:

“most all people who are able to save and invest experience the temptation drastically to overestimate their genuine needs and/or to try to secure their futures against all calamity. Meanwhile, the truly destitute of the world continue to grow poorer.”

Blomberg, NAC, Matthew

I think we’d agree that we do need some money.

Dave Ramsey suggests 6 months of expenses to be able to handle the unexpected catastrophies of life.

Saving for kids education seems responsible.

Savings for retirement seems responsible.

Some saving is responsible, but how much earthly wealth is enough?

How do we avoid putting our trust in the size of our bank accounts, and keep our trust in God’s provision?

And how do we store up for ourselves Treasures in Heaven?

We store up treasures in heaven by using our Treasure on Earth how God calls us to use it.

This could be

Spending money on education to better ourselves or grow our character (Proverbs 16:16, Proverbs 23:23)

To build relationships with others (Romans 12:13, 2 Corinthians 9:12)

To serve others (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2)

To bring others into a relationship with God (Luke 16:9, 2 Corinthians 9:13)

To support God’s church (Proverbs 3:9, Matthew 6:21, Job 22:24-25)

So how are you using the earthly wealth that God has blessed you with?

Are you storing it, putting your trust in it to guard against future calamity?

Are you using it as God calls you to, building your character, nurturing relationships, serving others, and bringing people into faith in Jesus?

YOU - Takeaway

I think, we can take one of two paths; following the example of John D. Rockefeller or John Wesley.

John D. Rockefeller Quote

John D. Rockefeller was an oil tycoon, started Standard Oil, controlled 90% of US oil in the 1800s, and was one of the richest people of all time. He was once asked “How much money is enough?” He replied, “Some more.”

On the other hand...

John Welsey Quote

Money never stays with me. It would burn me if it did. I throw it out of my hands as soon as possible, lest it should find its way into my heart.

John Welsey Quote

Get all you can without hurting your soul, your body, or your neighbor. Save all you can, cutting off every needless expense. Give all you can. Be glad to give, and ready to distribute; laying up in store for yourselves a good foundation against the time to come, that you may attain eternal life.

We can live a life with closed hands pursuing earthly riches, or live a life with an open hand allowing God to use the earthly riches we already have to bless those in need and build His Kingdom.

The choice is yours.

WE / JESUS - Redemptive Close - Call to Action

I want to end with one last parable Jesus taught on wealth.

In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus tells the Parable of the Rich Fool.

Luke 12:16–21 NIV

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Where is your heart right now?

Do you mainly think of yourself and securing a life of personal comfort?

Or...do you think of others, making all that you have available to God to use for whatever Kingdom purpose He determines?

I ran across a quote by one of the authors of the Wesleyan Bible Commentary.

George Kufeldt, Wesleyan Bible Commentary

Will any man give God “the best” of all his goods unless he is truly committed to the will of God, no matter what rewards are promised? Can any man claim to be truly and fully committed to God, to trust and fear God, and yet refuse to offer to God “the best” of those things that God has placed in his hands?

Are you truly committed to God?

Where are your priorities?

Do you serve God only for a reward?

OR...Do you obey God out of a deep love for Him and would continue to love and serve Him even if there was no reward?

If I was to answer today’s question, “Is there any truth to the prosperity gospel? Does God reward our obedience?” as succinctly as I could, this is how I would answer.

The prosperity gospel is not true. God does not owe us anything. Out of His love for us, He does bless us but often does not reward our financial gifts with monetary blessings. We owe God everything. Out of our love for Him, we should make everything we have available to God to use however He determines. God needs to be the top priority in our life, not the accumulation of wealth and personal comfort.

PRAYER

Will you join me in prayer...

SONG

As we enter into our final song, I want to open the steps up front as an altar to anyone who needs God this week. The steps are open for you to pray to the God who is with you, who loves you, you wants to give you His peace.

‌

You may feel a hand on your shoulder as I or one of the elders join you in prayer.

BENEDICTION

Philippians 4:19 NIV

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

This week...let’s all take a step back and evaluate our priorities. What is it that we are really trying to accomplish through our choices and actions.

Are we accumulating wealth for our personal comfort and for a sense of security?

Or...are we living obedient lives, holding all that we have with open hands, available to be used by God for whatever purpose He determines with no expectation for anything in return.

This week, what is one thing that you can do to make God your number one priority?

Quick reminder...

Rooted - Social Activity - Water Wednesday at the Pastor’s Pool - 6 PM Wednesday (hot dogs / chips provided, bring something if you want, or not)

Family Sunday - June 29th - Picnic at Strang park following - Hamburgers and Hot Dogs provided - bring a side

If you’re new, please stop by our info desk, or see me. We’d love to say “hi” and get you know you a bit better.

Father’s Day - Stop by the “Socks for Pop” wall and enjoy the gift the ladies group got for us

I hope you have a great week.

Go in peace.

You are dismissed.

DISCIPLESHIP QUESTIONS (download into APP)

What does Matthew 13:1-23 teach us about the nature of our hearts in relation to God's word?

How can we ensure that we have 'good soil' to receive the word of God in our lives?

In what practical ways can you make God the top priority in your life rather than wealth?

What are some specific choices you can make this week that reflect Godly priorities over worldly desires?

How does understanding the true meaning of the Parable of the Sower change your perspective on obedience to God?

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