Who Get's God's blessings?

Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob.” (Psalm 24:3-6 NIV).


There is a dangerous theology being propagated by popular purveyors of deception today–prosperity theology. Listen to this doctrine of demons and you will come to believe that God wants His children (obedient or not) all to be healthy, wealthy and wise, and if you are not you either lack real faith or there is hidden sin in your life. As a pastor, I counsel people all the time who have been spiritually and emotionally scarred by this damnable doctrine.

Strong words. Have I left you with any doubt as to where I stand on this dangerous teaching? By the way I chose the word purveyor instead of preacher because the dictionary defines one who purveys as “to supply as a matter of business.” Look at those who teach this false doctrine–it certainly is good business for them–they’re driving around in expensive cars (some a different luxury car for every day of the week) while those who support their extravagant lifestyles are desperately planting their seed money in hopes of hitting the spiritual lottery winnings from God. Now, just for the what-it’s-worth department, my advise to you is the instant you hear some preacher mention the term “seed-money,” you turn off the television or excuse yourself from the service (guarding your wallet on the way out).

Look at our text above. The person who “will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior,” is not the person who demonstrates his or her faith by sending in sacrificial gifts as seed money to surfeiting (that means an overabundant excess; intemperate or immoderate indulgence) sermonizers, but those whose hands are clean, whose hearts are pure, “who does not lift up his soul to an idol,” (material possessions or otherwise), whose words are believable because they are truthful and who seek God with all their hearts!

Here is what I fear. In our western culture we are use to instant everything and so we’ve come to expect instant gratification. Some self-seeking individuals have discovered that they can get rich quick in the name of God by convincing God’s people that the way to blessing is not through obedience but through financial sacrifice. That is not true. God says plainly that He values obedience over sacrifice (See 1 Samuel 15:22).

Do you want God’s blessing today? You won’t receive it by sending a donation to my ministry. You will receive it by obeying God in your daily life.