Prosperity Gospel?

Is it ok to criticize a pastor?

Is it ok to criticize a pastor?

Luke Humphrey

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“Touch not the Lord’s anointed.” 

Have you ever heard that used to protect the ministry of a pastor or a church leader? Does this mean that it is wrong to criticize a pastor? Or is it ok to criticize a pastor? What should we think about this? 

The verse quoted comes from Psalm 105. It’s worth hearing it in full for the context: 

Psalm 105:12–15 (ESV) — 12 When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, 13 wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, 14 he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, 15 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”

This passage is not talking about pastors but actually about the nation of Israel who were set apart for God’s purpose. According to Psalm 105 God protected his covenant people in their wandering from nation to nation. It would be inappropriate to take this and apply it to pastors.

But does that mean that it is ok to criticize a pastor then? Yes and no. 

The Bible teaches that pastors are to be above reproach and that they are to be held in honor. For example 1 Timothy 5:17 says: 

1 Timothy 5:17 (ESV) — 17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

Faithful elders are worthy of honor, which means we should be slow to criticize and not criticize lightly. In fact, the normal pattern of Scripture is that elders are to be obeyed: 

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV) — 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

So, we should obey our pastors and submit to them in a way that allows for them to joyfully shepherd the flock. This means that there are certainly times when we shouldn’t criticize our pastors.

However, in Hebrews 13 we see that elders are not above accountability. In fact, the way elders shepherd the flock is “as those who will have to give an account.” This is an account to the Lord, but insofar as it is appropriate is also an account to man.

In fact, right after Paul tells Timothy that elders are to be held in honor, he writes this: 

1 Timothy 5:19–20 (ESV) — 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

This strikes the right balance between honor and accountability. We honor the elders by not allowing for one person’s criticism or charge to stand by itself. But there is an appropriate process to rightly criticize—bring a charge against—an elder on the evidence of two or three witnesses. And if this charge is demonstrated to be true and the elder is recognized as being in sin and continues without repentance, then Paul commands the church to “rebuke them [the elders in sin] in the presence of all [the church].” 

So, pastors are called to be honored, but only as far as they are faithful. The Bible allows and in fact commands appropriate criticism of pastors who are twisting the Scriptures or living in an unrepentantly sinful lifestyle. Unfaithful pastors can’t hide behind the verse to “not touch the Lord’s anointed.”

Why should I give money to the church?

Why should I give money to the church?

Hanni Moussa

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To many people, giving to the church is related to tithing. So, let me start with a side note on that. We are not under the Old Testament Law of Moses, so we are not required to tithe; that is, not required to give 10% of our income. I know that some say otherwise, and that tithing is still required of the Christian. But tithing was part of the Old Covenant and it functioned to sustain the tribe of Levite who had no portion in the land of Israel and were fully devoted to the service of the Tabernacle and, later, the Temple. None of that is in effect anymore. The author of the Hebrews says,

“In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” (Hebrews 8:13).

Paul also says in Galatians 3:24-25

“24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”

 So, if we’re not required to tithe like the Old Testament, are we still required to give? The clear short New Testament answer is, yes, we are.

The New Testament commands us to give for at least three purposes:

 Supporting Gospel Preachers

The preaching of the Gospel: In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul a number of word pictures to say that the Church must support those who preach the Gospel. He says,

“7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?”

They are soldiers, farmers and shepherds, and there is this expectation that they are to be sustained by the church for the work they do.

He then says goes on to say that you could see this in the Law, which says,

“8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.”

And he doesn’t stop there but add two more points to his argument, saying that there is an analogy between OT and NT ministry and, more importantly that our Lord Jesus commanded that the Church supports Gospel workers. He says,

“13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.”

So, that’s the first reason, God commands us to financially support those who preach the Gospel.

Supporting the Church Elders

If we turn to 1 Timothy 5, we find another command given to the church to support the elders or pastors to do the work of shepherding, preaching and teaching. We read,

“17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

And as he did in the case of evangelists, Paul quotes the same verses from the OT and the NT to remind us that it’s always been God’s way that the God’s people provide for those labor in the ministry.

 Relieving the needs of the saints

The third we read about is other believers who are in financial need either for a season because of an economic situation or elderly saints who have no other means of support.

In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, Paul exhorts the Church at Corinth to give generously to support the Jerusalem Church that was suffering because of a famine. Amazingly, he points out that the Macedonian churches, which were very poor churches, have given so generously, their giving overflowed. I encourage you to read 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 carefully. They are very revealing as to what a Christian’s heart should be like in giving.

So, whether it’s ministry work or relieving saints in need, the NT places an obligation of love and loyalty on God’s people to give to their churches so that His work on Earth is done.

Can Christians claim promises?

Can Christians claim promises?

John Norris

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Many times, teachers will encourage you to claim God’s promises. “Claiming” something is just saying, “that’s mine.” Now, anytime we take something and say, “that’s mine,” we should make sure it is in fact, ours. Claiming something that isn’t yours doesn’t work in our workplace; it doesn’t work among our neighbors, and it doesn’t work in prayer either. It won’t do to claim your neighbor’s car even if you really try to make yourself believe it belongs to you, and it won’t do to claim a promise that is not yours.  And if you have actually been promised something, you need to claim things that have been promised you in the right way and at the right time. If I promise that I’ll give you my car next year and you show up tomorrow to pick it up—you’ve misunderstood me. So, should we claim the promises God makes as though they are our own? Let’s look at a text:

2 Corinthians 1:20 –  20 For all the promises of God find their “Yes” in [Jesus]. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

These verses are clear that all of God’s promises are “yes” in Jesus! 

That means that everything God has promised has been or will be fulfilled for us in Jesus. So, what does it mean to claim them, and how do we know we are claiming them in the right way?

Do you know your Bible?

The issues, as I see them, as they relate to claiming promises start with this: Do you know how your Bible fits together? Do you know how the Old Testament and the New Testament relate to each other? If not, it’s very easy to read a verse in the Old Testament, think that it is about you, and claim it for yourself. But all you’re doing is parachuting down into a country that you’re not familiar with and claiming that land as your own. You need to understand how the promise you are reading relates to the rest of the Bible; And the reason is this: When Jesus came, it changed the way we receive what God has promised. God made promises to ancient Israel in the Old Testament. If they kept the law, He would do amazing things for them. But they could not keep the law and so they failed to receive the promises. But Jesus came and fulfilled the law beyond anyone’s expectations—far beyond what we could’ve thought. He fulfilled the law in our place—for us. And when he fulfilled the law for us, all that God promised became His. And just like Him fulfilling the law exceeded what we imagined, the way that you and I, who belong to him, receive the promises He secured exceeds what we had imagined. So, an example: God promised Abraham that the people of Israel would possess the promised land of Israel, and later Moses tells the people it will happen by them keeping the Law. Well guess what? Jesus kept the law for you and now the way that promise is fulfilled is not by Him giving you a strip of land in Palestine, but by giving you the entire New Heavens and New Earth. That’s clear in Romans 4:13. So, just as the law was fulfilled in a greater way than we imagined, all of God‘s promises will be fulfilled in a greater way than we imagined. If you just parachute into a promise in the Old Testament for yourself, you may have no idea what it is you are actually claiming. And that’s a bad idea

There are two more issues as I understand them as it relates to claiming promises: timing and worship.

Timing

Many of the things that we have been promised will not be given to us until we die or Jesus returns. That’s really important. God does promise you perfect health. God does promise you an abundance of riches… in the life to come. But if you don’t know your Bible and think, “These are mine now because I read some passage in the Old Testament that said they would be mine,” you don’t understand your Bible. All the promises of God are “yes” for you in Jesus, but the New Testament is clear that very many will not be fulfilled until the New Heavens and New Earth. Timing matters. Get that in your head. The other issue is worship. 

Worship

If you come to God mainly so that he can channel to you riches, health, and fame, then you are an idolater. In real worship, God is the thing that we want the most. A true worshiper of God wants their needs supplied, yes; a true worshiper of God wants health, yes; a true worshiper of God wants to be glorified, yes. But at the heart of a true worshiper is a willingness to forsake all riches, health, and glory in order to enjoy God more, because He is our greatest treasure. And for a true worshiper, to have riches, health, and glory and not have God is misery. 

Summary 

Can you claim the promises of God? Yes. In Jesus, they are all yes to you. But you need to understand how your Bible fits together. If you don’t, you will claim promises not understanding what you’re claiming; you will claim promises not understanding when they are promised to come to you (many of them in the life to come); and if you don’t know your Bible and you’re claiming promises because you love wealth and health more than you love God, then you are an idolater.

Does my suffering mean that God is unhappy with me?

Does my suffering mean that God is unhappy with me?

Luke Humphrey

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Does my suffering mean that God is unhappy with me? 

This is a tough question to answer, because the truth of the matter is that “it might.” 

God loves every Christian as an adopted son or daughter. And just with a human son or daughter, it is possible for God to be displeased with the way that a loved child is acting. Nothing that a Christian can do can make God love you more or God love you less. But he can be more or less pleased with your faithfulness towards him. 

For example, the Bible teaches that through our sinful living we can grieve the Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches that our sinful actions can lead to the Lord’s discipline: 

Hebrews 12:7, 10 (ESV) — 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ... 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

And in the case of the Corinthian church, some of the members were getting sick and even dying because of the sinful way in which they were treating the Lord’s Supper. 

So, it is possible that your suffering means that God unhappy with you due to sin in your life. And if that is the case then you should reflect upon areas of your life that might have unrepentant sin and turn in repentance and receive forgiveness through the grace of Jesus Christ. 

But often, our suffering is not a sign of God’s displeasure but of his pleasure in us. In fact, Christians are promised that they will suffer because we follow the suffering servant, the Lord Jesus Christ. And though this suffering leads to temporary pain, it leads to ultimate glory. Listen to Romans 8: 

Romans 8:16–17 (ESV) — 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

When the disciples were arrested and beaten for preaching the gospel, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer with Christ: 

Acts 5:41 (ESV) — 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

And James 1 calls us to count it all joy when we suffer because of what God does in our hearts and in our lives through the suffering: 

James 1:2–4 (ESV) — 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Our suffering may or may not be the Lord’s discipline for sin. But either way, our suffering is an opportunity for us to glorify God and to grow in our holiness, steadfastness, and love for God. When we suffer, we should reflect upon our lives to see if there is any unrepentant sin our lives. A good way to pray is Psalm 139:23–24

Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV) — 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

And when we suffer, Christians should trust that God is working all things for good in and through the suffering. He is working in the suffering to help us share in his holiness as we grow to treasure him more. And one day our suffering will end as God holds fast to us in Christ: 

Romans 8:38–39 (ESV) — 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Does God promise complete healing?

Does God promise complete healing?

Luke Humphrey

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Does God promise complete healing? 

Man, this is an important question to answer—and it’s a question that is incredibly misunderstood by Christians across the world today. 

There are many churches and pastors who preach that God does promise complete healing in this life. They would teach that if you believe by faith, then you will be healed. But this leads to a whole host of questions and confusion when Christians get sick or even die. Why would a Christian be sick or die if God promises to heal them? And what it often does is point the finger back at the sick or dead person (either explicitly or implicitly) and put the blame on them. They suffered because of a lack of faith—if they would only believe more, then they would have been healed. 

God doesn’t promise complete healing in this life. In fact, the overwhelming teaching of Scripture is that Christians will suffer, and this includes physical sickness and physical wounds. 

The Apostle Paul experienced a thorn in the flesh sent from Satan to afflict him. He pleaded with God for it to be removed and listen to what God said to him:

2 Corinthians 12:8–9 (ESV) — 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Paul’s coworker Timothy experienced frequent ailments in his gospel ministry, and Paul doesn’t rebuke him but offers medical advice.

Paul was eventually executed. The Apostle James was killed by Herod. The Apostle Peter was crucified by the Roman Empire. The Apostle John died in exile. 

But just because God doesn’t promise complete healing in this life doesn’t mean we are hopeless. In fact, the hope of Christianity is that death and disease have been ultimately conquered through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. One day, we will put off these natural bodies that experience sickness and pain and affliction and we will be clothed with immortal bodies that will be glorious. In this way, death is the pathway to glory. Our complete healing will be experienced in the resurrection and that is guaranteed through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

1 Corinthians 15:50–57 (ESV) — 50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Right now death is still an enemy. But because Jesus has risen from the dead it is a conquered enemy. Christians will experience sickness and suffering in this life—in fact we are promised that we will experience sickness and suffering and persecution. But one day we will stand in the presence of Christ completely freed from sickness and pain in glorified and resurrected bodies: 

Revelation 21:4 (ESV) — 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Does God want us to be wealthy?

Does God want us to be wealthy?

Luke Humphrey

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This is a great question and it’s one that Christians really need to think through. The world assumes that the answer is “Yes.” The world assumes that God wants us to be happy and then we assume that money will lead to happiness, therefore God wants us to be wealthy. 

But the actual answer is far more complicated. God does want us to be happy, but money cannot be the source of happiness. In fact the Bible says that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Going to money as the source of your happiness will not make you happy; it will make you evil. God does want us to be happy, but he is the one who knows what will lead to our joy—and that is himself. The Westminster Shorter Catechism says that:

“The chief end [that is, the chief purpose] of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” 

Our happiness—our joy—comes through glorifying God. So the primary thing that God wants for us is to glorify him and thereby be eternally happy. 

So, let’s come back to our question: does God want us to be wealthy? And the answer is not necessarily in this life. God has poured out eternal riches in Christ Jesus that are better than anything that we have in this life. The way Paul writes in Philippians 3 is helpful here: 

Philippians 3:7–8 (ESV) — 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ…

Paul is willing to count every earthly blessing that he has experienced as rubbish compared to the wealth of Christ. And it’s this perspective that allows for him to write later on in Philippians 4: 

Philippians 4:11–13 (ESV) — 11 ... I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Because of Christ’s surpassing worth Paul can be content in plenty and in hunger, in abundance and in need. His happiness is not based upon his wealth but upon glorifying and enjoying God. 

God is all powerful, all wise, and all good. In his sovereignty, he sometimes purposes that Christians would be entrusted with significant earthly wealth. They are called to not love money but to love God. In other instances, God purposes that Christians would be born in earthly poverty, raised in earthly poverty, and die in earthly poverty. These Christians are just as capable of experiencing happiness in God because of the surpassing worth of Christ. 

At the end of the day, earthly wealth—or the lack earthly wealth—is an opportunity to glorify God and serve other people. Ultimately, God wants us to be happy in him and he gives wealth and withholds wealth so that we would have eternal happiness in God.