Should Christians learn about money from Jesus or Brian Houston?

Christians who don’t spend time in God’s Word, as in, open their Bible and read and study God’s Word for themselves, are not only ignorant of the truth but also easily deceived by those who distort the truth, including other Christians, especially those who have attained celebrity status.

Sounds like the truth isn’t the same as truth.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
John 14:6 (NASB)

Notice Jesus didn’t say He’s like a truth or similar to the truth or a version of the truth, He said He is THE truth, the absolute truth!

So then, why are so many Christians quick to believe mega pastors/televangelists/Christian celebrities who distort the truth?

Let’s take wealth or money as an example of a topic and highlight what I am addressing.

First and foremost, let’s look at what the Word of God says.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Matthew 6:19 (NASB)

 

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
Matthew 6:24 (NASB)

 

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Timothy 6:10 (NASB)

 

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NASB)

 

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5 (NASB)

Jesus made it clear that we either pursue God or money, we can’t do both. God says we can’t love money and warns that longing for it have led others from the faith. God says we should be rich in good works. God says we should be confident in Him being our helper.

Am I saying it’s wrong for Christians to have money? No. God can choose to bless someone with wealth/money because He has a purpose for them to accomplish with that blessing BUT if a Christian decides to pursue it because he or she thinks they can serve God better if they were successful in that sense, that contradicts what God says and wants for us!

So, if Jesus (who is God Himself) teaches us this important truth, would you not question and be critical of anyone who contradicts Him?

This is the cover of “You Need More Money”, written by Brian Houston, the senior pastor of Hillsong. Here’s an excerpt from the description of the book on Amazon: “Brian challenges you to look beyond yourself, live according to the principles of God and see His blessing on your life as you become a money magnet.” Money magnet? Seriously?

Some of you are not going to like me (and that’s your choice) after this because I have been chastised for bringing his name up in the past but instead of getting upset at me, consider the truth for yourself and not be starstruck.

Also, don’t try to spin it like Brian Houston isn’t contradicting Jesus but saying that if Christians had more money, we could do so much more for God, His Kingdom and reaching the lost. That sounds good but since when did the LORD God Almighty need our help? Are we so arrogant that instead of being led by Him, we need to take the lead? Doesn’t this kind of thinking about money contradict God’s Word on the matter (as we have seen earlier)?

Jesus (who is God) says Christians can’t pursue God and money. Brian Houston says Christians need more money.

Do you believe Jesus or Brian Houston?

Do you follow Jesus or Brian Houston?

The decision is obvious but it is astounding how many Christians are so quick to sing praises of Brian Houston and Hillsong (pun intended).

What about you?

Are you settling for half-truths because it makes you feel good, you like the people involved or the songs they sing stirs you emotionally, ignoring the fact that they’re not teaching and preaching the whole truth as is revealed by God in the Bible?

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NASB)

God has warned us that the time is coming (already here in my opinion) that people will ignore sound doctrine and instead surround themselves with teachers that teach things they like. If this doesn’t convince you that you should spend more time in God’s Word, God gives us more reasons in the Bible.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB)

 

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)

We who have placed our trust and faith in Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord, have the promised Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, residing in us.

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
John 16:13 (NASB)

How can the Holy Spirit “guide you into all the truth” if you don’t spend time in your Bible?

I pray you’ll spend more time in the Word of God by allowing the Holy Spirit to teach you from the Bible so that no one can deceive you.

God bless you.

Thank Sri 🙂