What Do You Need?
By: M.E. Townsend

The early preachers and teachers of the faith shared the truth and revelation of God’ Word and His will, turning the world upside down, spreading the gospel throughout the known world.

How strange that the same is not happening today. The gospel shared today from many of our pulpits and television screens is far different than was taught then.

Today we hear -

“What do you need? Start creating it. Start speaking it into being. Speak to your wallet, Say: “You big, thick wallet full of money.” Speak to your checkbook. Say: “You’ve never been so prosperous since I’ve owned you.” You’re just jammed with money.”

“Repeat after me: “The wealth of the wicked is mine.” One more time – one more time.”

“I’m sick and tired of hearing about streets of gold. I do not need gold in heaven, I gotta have it now. I mean, when I get to glory, all my bills will be paid. I won’t have bills in glory.”

“Give $10 and receive $1000, give $1000 and receive $100,000 – give one house and get a hundred, or a house worth one hundred times as much. In short, Mark 10:30 is a very good deal.”

“You need to hear about money, because you ‘ain’t gonna’ have no love and joy and peace until you get some money.”

So, obviously, Peter, Paul, Matthew, even the LORD Himself had it wrong. They were, according to today’ televangelist, to have lived a life of affluence, dressed in the finest, eating the best food, drinking the best wine; but as Jesus the Christ Himself attested when speaking of John The Baptizer; “What did you go out into the wilderness to see - a reed shaken by the wind? What did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who are clothed in fine garments, in gorgeous apparel, living in luxury are in the king’s court.”

Does not the Word of God tell us -

"Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days." James 5:1-3

"For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world." 1 John 2:16

Paul had more revelation of the truth than any other disciple and yet, once he gave his life to Jesus, his life was neither glamorous, nor pleasant, nor prosperous!

These men of old labored tirelessly for the LORD, pouring out their lives for Him and, with the exception of John, all were eventually martyred.

Do the preachers and evangelist of today really believe they deserve such immense wealth, oppulant life styles - blessings and big salaries? Most prosperity teachers boast of their wealth saying God has blessed them – yet in reality, their wealth has come from the pockets and purses of many who can ill afford to give. Far too many give out of poverty hoping desperately for a better life.

They are not taught the principles of giving unto the LORD - they are taught - give to get.

Prosperity teachers tell you that you can expect a BIG return on your “donation” or your “seed faith offering.” They create a spirit of greed and discontentment within the body by saying that God wants you to be wealthy, that you will become wealthy if you will only give to their ministry and have faith. The Bible teaches the opposite -

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:2

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:19-20

If we will be faithful to dedicate ourselves to the reading of God’ Word, studying to show ourselves approved unto God – a workman that need not be ashamed – God will provide all we need – not all we greed. If we will seek His righteousness, living lives that bring glory to His Name, He guarantees there are treasures stored up for us in heaven – and, He Who has promised IS faithful – The Lamb of God.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

“Then Peter spoke saying:

“ Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have I give unto thee; in the Name of Jesus the Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” Acts 3:6