$$$ The almighty Dollar $$$

They're out in full force tonight! On one channel is "Choose to be Rich," an infomercial designed to make you think that by buying this man's program you will get rich. One woman talked about how she is now worth $3 million and how her wealth has given her success and how she now has security and what she has always wanted. She is no longer a slave to debt and financial troubles. In fact, all of the people on the commercial claim to have been set free by this system. The system has you use other peoples' time and money to make your millions. All you have to do is think it, learn it, and do it, and for only $9.95 for 30 days!

I guess they have never read Luke 12:16-21. Jesus gives a parable saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many good laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' But God said to him [and to all those who trust in wealth, including those on the infomercial], 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Rather what they should "Sell [their] possessions and give to charity; make [themselves] money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing trearue in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destorys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -Luke 12:33-34

It does not matter if the system works. They may be free from debt, unless the market crashes, and perhaps they will live long lives, unless natural disaster strikes and destorys them and their possessions, or disease strikes, but they have no wealth in heaven. Their wealth is fleeting, it is vanity. They are still slaves to sin. They are like the rich man in Luke 16:19-31. Such people like this are, if nothing else, practical atheists.

On another channel, the notorious TBN, Benny Hinn relates his testimony of how God "blessed" him and God him out of financial troubles. This is apparently what led him to believe the system he now preaches.

Hinn is asking his viewing audience to call in and make a pledge. He promises that if they do, God will make them rich. What is Hinn's advice to get people to call in? Test God! Prove Him! Dr. Hinn, come-on, you know better! Perhaps Benny-boy feels that he is better than our Lord, Christ Jesus, who when He was told by Satan to cast Himself from the Temple so that God will prove Jesus to be His Son and God will prove Himself to be faithful responded with Scripture that "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test." -(Luke 4:9-12) It seems that as for Hinn and his TBN household, they will serve the God of wealth, who is happy to be tested.

Now, I do not say this because we are any better than they. Rather, I say this as a warning to all of you Christians as to the deceptions of wealth and the evils of riches. It is very hard for the rich to enter into life eternal (cf. Luke 18:25). Both of these are examples, and both of them are preaching a "gospel" (a false one) to get people to follow their system. Do not be deceived, for what you sow you will reap, but rather walk the straight and narrow path to life. Give to missions, give to the poor, and give sacrifically, anticipating your reward in heaven (which will last forever, not a mere 70 years).

And pray for those like the "teachers" on TBN and those who desire riches to the demise of their souls. Pray that God may reveal to them the truth. Soli Deo Gloria!
*How's that for only citing the book of Luke? That just shows how much Jesus had to say about money!