A little leaven ferment the whole dough
Jesus warned His disciples to be cautious about the leaven of teachings of the Pharisees and scribes as they added a lot of bylaws to make themselves more honoured and richer. Even today religious people are emotionally and spiritually manipulated by the teachers and preachers of religion.
New Testament church is in the Dispensation of the age of Grace. We are saved and made righteous through faith in Christ Our punishment was borne by Jesus and we are made righteous through faith in Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. This is the ultimate Heavenly Transaction that we are purchased with the price of the life of the Son Of God.
The Gospel of Grace is very simple but false teachers and the interpreters of the Bible have been causing great damages to the church through centuries. They have distorted the doctrines for their own profits.
I have come across religious leaders teaching about the blessings of giving in order to become rich. They keep exploiting them. They call it a sort of Heavenly transaction. They call out to take the biggest currency note in their hands to offer in order to receive a hundred fold. They tell people that they would pray for the multiplication of money. They rebuke the spirit of poverty and invite prosperity to the giver of money. . .
This method appears convincing and authentic comparing it with the miracle of Five loaves of bread and two small fish which were put in the heavenly floor of transactions which brought a huge multiplication !! This is said to be doing business with heaven. This is trade which makes the leaders rich. So all those who listened to him would be asked to trade with heaven with whatever they could spare in order to receive lavishly, and to harvest abundantly. They were asked to pay on line if they couldn’t give on the spot. They quote the example of the widow who paid two mites ; whatever she had; and Jesus commending her sacrifice.
In this context , it is a call to give with an intention to receive and to become rich. This principle of trading is recommended for practice in order to become rich.
These manipulators quote Paul.
Let us see what St. Paul talks about this . “.But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
They quote Psalms where generosity to the needy is highlighted.
Psalms 112:9
He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor.
II Corinthians 9:6-8
Paul instructed to give for the poor saints in Jerusalem.
I didn’t find any occasion when Jesus taught that you can become rich with heavenly transactions of making payments into offering baskets of the clever pharisees and religious leaders. I haven’t read about Jesus rebuking the spirit of poverty in order to invoke the spirit of riches and wealth.
Yes, Deuteronomy 28 speaks about such blessings. it’s good to become rich for our self sufficiency and for giving and helping others. , Does The Word teach about acquiring wealth through giving? Who should you give to ? Give to the work of God; to evangelize. Give to the fellow believers who are in need. Give cheerfully to those who are the poor and the destitute. Give according to your ability. Be compassionate. The Bible says so. Give as the Holy Spirit prompts.
The church goers are duped by the so called teachers of the Bible. The person at the pulpit can easily convince the audience with false interpretations. And the people are often carried away by their tactics. . Who doesn’t want to be rich and lead comfortable lives.? , We become susceptible to the altar calls of becoming rich through their clever spiritual blackmailing methods,. The preacher is offering an easy way to become rich. He says, What money you put into the baskets and buckets will get multiplied for you as the loaves and fish. Almost all famous evangelists and charismatic preachers want to travel by self owned jets and planes as their time is precious. They want to own palaces and mansions as they should host many men of God, . Who should give money for their luxuries ? The believers who are duped into the idea of becoming rich , the easy way, which is called heavenly.
People are cheated by their clever tricks. They teach a few truths and add a little leaven into their teachings so cleverly that the listener won’t even realise the leaven of false teachings.
Wake up my fellow believers!. Your money is not to fatten them. Use discretion.
They say they can win more people into the kingdom by using your money. Don’t be carried away by their tricks. Sow your seeds in good grounds.
A true Church will teach the Word truly without mixing leaven. There are different types of leaven, which permeates into the dough , and ultimately puffs up the entire lot..
Study the Bible, search for eternal truths, not the sugary stuff.
What does the Lord say about amassing wealth? He cautions
about .the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches which choke the Word, making it unfruitful.
Matthew 13:22 NKJV
Jesus said to a jewish ruler “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Matthew 19:21, NKJV
This is not for the New Testament believer, who is saved by faith, that too by Grace.
Nowhere is it said that you ought to sow your money as seed before preachers and harvest abundance.
Check the context of the following verse and try to understand what the Lord says :
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:38 NKJV
Prayer
Loving Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us Your Son Jesus to save us from eternal damnation. Thank you for teaching us your Word which is lamp to our feet and light to our path. May the soldiers of the Army Of Jesus study and teach the Word and keep ourselves from the leaven of wrong teachings. Thank you for your enlightenment.
We pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Sol. Salomi Kurian.