AN OPEN LETTER TO
PROSPERITY TEACHERS AND PASTORS
Submitted by Clay Sikes
December 4th, 2004

The Body of Christ has suffered many distractions in its journey to Christ's return. One such distraction has swept through American churches like wildfire and occupies much of what is termed Christian Television. This false doctrine is now being taught in many foreign countries, as the hopeless, distraught, and downtrodden are being shown hope through a doctrine that promises much, but delivers little. The potential damage of this doctrine cannot be measured in words. The spirit of anti-Christ is rampant deceiving the very elect with false promises and appeals to our flesh (1 John 4:1-6). I offer this open letter to be judged, particularly by those who subscribe to the modern day prosperity message. I asked that those who read this take the liberty of God's spirit to pass it own to those who may benefit from what is written here.

Having been a disciple of "The Prosperity Message," having served in a Board capacity in one of these large ministries, and having given hundreds of thousands of dollars in adherence to these teachings, I initially felt I had an intimate understanding of this message, and yet later became mystified as I began to suffer a drastic financial demise. I had no known sin in my life and felt that I was following God's instruction with money, at least to the point of what I was being taught from this doctrine.

The emphasis of these teachings seemed always to relate to my giving, with little emphasis upon anything else. As things got worse financially we gave until it hurt; and if giving alone would suffice we would have survived with flying colors. We gave away everything but the kitchen sink in an effort to get God to move in our increasingly dire situation.

On the day of my final collapse, I clearly heard the Lord say I Samuel 6:1-13. During the years following, the Holy Spirit revealed that I could hear God for His general direction, but lacked patience to wait upon His 'how to' (the specifics within the scope of direction). Scripture tells us "…with wisdom, get understanding." Wisdom is God's 'direction;' understanding is His 'how to.' The prosperity message, with its single-minded instruction (GIVE) left me with little teaching to understand my dilemma. All efforts in counsel with my Spiritual mentors produced little in the way of explanation. Some theorized I was in some type sin, or simply lacked faith. The fact that the message (doctrine) could somehow be flawed didn't seem to register with any of them. Crisis produces reality and crisis I faced! The Word (instruction) I knew and applied was having little effect. True divine revelation, when applied, will always produce divine results. The fact that the word I depended upon in the midst of a crisis produced nothing, was my first signal of 'flawed doctrine.'

I was to further realize that while I had heard of God, I didn't really know Him (Job 42:5,6). During a time of meditation upon these scriptures I realized that my relationship with God lacked intimacy -I did not have a personal relationship that allowed me to go to God with any confidence. In the difficult years following, I was transformed from carnal Christian (seeing things in the natural), to spiritually discerning what God was doing in my life. I realized that what was going on inside of me was far greater than what was going on outside. I finally realized that what had happened, though extremely difficult on my flesh (going flat broke at 51 with a new baby), would eventually produce something new and exciting in my life - a relationship with my creator!

I also heard another phrase that was to impact me heavily; this from 90 year old Arthur Burt, a welsh minister. I heard Arthur say in a tape, "God was not about improving me; he was about removing me!" This was the beginning of an understanding that my salvation was not about me; it was and is about Him. When my focus went from my needs getting met, to hearing and obeying God that His needs be met in the earth, things began to happen in the natural world in which I live. What I gleaned has changed my life! When I meet His needs, by hearing and obeying, He meets mine, because the greater always includes the lesser (Matthew 6:33). When I stopped chasing money (Matthew 6:32), and began to seek His face, hear and obey, His favor began to find me. Why? The "why" can be found in another teaching from my old friend Arthur; THE GREATER ALWAYS INCLUDES THE LESSER. The greater (doing His will), always includes the lesser (my needs being met). I am realizing that the greatest gift I can ever give God is myself.

Since this difficult experience and my subsequent financial recovery, I believe what I experienced and learned is revelation of a much deeper truth. I offer this word to be judged. What surfaced through this occurrence was truth beyond what I knew as "the truth." I learned that true prosperity in God extends far past money, and in fact, includes all aspects of life. What I had ascribed to as 'the truth,' was in fact a perversion of truth - "Give generously and God will generously give to you." While this is "a truth," it is not necessarily "the truth." The simple 'give to get' part of "the truth," in my humble opinion, has been over emphasized by most prosperity teachers; particularly those who depend upon the Body of Christ for their living.

While many will not publicly acknowledge this, it is my heart that some at least will acknowledge the mistake of 'preaching and teaching to meet personal needs and ambitions.' Rousing sermons on 'giving' are often given during times of financial need. The manipulation and hype surrounding much of this is self-serving. It is not what we do that matters to God, but rather why we do it. If our motive is Holy Spirit inspired we are on the right track; if the motive is to simply serve self in some way, we are selfishly operating in the World's System. God is revealing His Kingdom (ways) in contrast to the World's way. These two systems are constantly competing for our affections, and the one we choose determines our ultimate outcome. A 'called man' cannot touch the World's System and find success, nor can he can fail following the Kingdom's Way (hearing God and obeying).

In concluding the points of the above paragraph, many feel their intellectual understanding and application will suffice - it will not in this hour! Seminary is no more a qualification before God than tending bar. In fact, the bartender may have a better shot at hearing God than those caught up in their own self-righteousness. Those prone to religion are least prone to relationship.

We are coming to a time of distinction in understanding the difference between 'good' and 'God.' Good works are often called "God's works," when in fact God has little to do with it. IF IT DOESN'T ORIGINATE BY THE SPIRIT, IT AIN'T GOD! Do not confuse intellectual assent with the Holy Spirit! The words "preachers and programs" go together like "horse and carriage." Like all preachers, all church programs and doctrine are not Spirit inspired. Those called to the end-time remnant will discern this difference.

The Body of Christ is constantly being pummeled for more money to build unnecessary buildings, purchase unnecessary airplanes, furnish lavish homes, establish more programs, more TV time, more, more, more! Many will have to give account to God for what amounts to selfish ambition and greed. While many are quick to recognize sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, and orgies as sins of the flesh, few recognize "SELFISH AMBITION." Our society accepts and even rewards ambitious people. The Word of God is crystal clear on this subject: It (selfish ambition) is an act of "the sinful nature" and "those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Please take the time to read Galatians 5:16-21. Selfish ambition is sin and many who represent themselves as Spiritual fathers move by their own ambitious desires. We should not be ignorant of Satan's devices used to gain advantage over humans. Any ambitious effort outside the leading of the Holy Spirit is sin for me, for you, or anyone else called of God. Let me confess to all who read this - I fight this daily in my own life so I can little point the finger, but hopefully this offers light!

My testimony, and what I say here match - I am not teaching scripture without first walking in the revelation. It is at this point that I offer a caution TO THOSE WHO CAN RECEIVE IT: Beware of those who teach beyond what they walk in. We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11). There is an anointing to covey truth based upon testimony that far exceeds any other form of spiritual man-to-man communication. Revelation isn't revelation until you hear it, believe it, walk it.

The next great move of God will be 'The Kingdom of God,' and those who are leading this move are "the Sons of God." True sons will only teach what they walk in. You will know them by the fruit of their life - their life is their testimony. If a man's teachings do not line up with his life, BEWARE! As stated, the anti-Christ spirit is deceiving many today, and much of this deception is being heaped upon the Body by men whose lives do not line up with what they teach and preach. I will not digress on this point, but should you have interest in further explanation please read 'Discerning The Spirit Of Anti-Christ' at http://www.lighthouseprophecy.com.

From my financial demise, and many other of life's difficulties, I discovered that God indeed does bless our giving, but only if we are moving under a direct unction from the Holy Spirit. Obedience to His Spirit, whether it is giving or some other directive, invokes the favor of God. At this point, God began to focus me on Romans 8:14, "because THOSE who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." I reasoned that if there are some "THOSES" who are led by the Spirit of God, then there must be some THEMS who are not. "Those" is a word that suggests separation from the rest of the pack.

I knew that I occasionally heard God for His general direction, but the Holy Spirit revealed that I was NOT being led of the Spirit in all I undertook. I am only now beginning to see the depth of my past carnality as a Christian. My traditional thought process calls for me to answer my own questions and supply my own needs. As I move deeper into God, I am seeing His great willingness to communicate with me in both general and specific areas, as well as provide for me. Now, when I move outside the boundaries of the Spirit I can feel it. When self jumps up in me, and it often does, God in His great mercy reveals my own greed and selfishness.

Much of the modern day prosperity message appeals to our greed (carnality). It often brings to mind some form of Christian lottery. The "giving to get" syndrome is rooted in a self-serving doctrine that points to self's ability to provide instead of the sovereignty of God - "You give, and God will have to give to you!" The very motive of this message is rooted in selfishness.

Once we get acquainted with our own greed, we then open ourselves up yet another lesson - Being our own provision! I heard the Holy Spirit say that a needy man can chase money just like a greedy man. In my hour of greatest need my search for money was intense, and at its height the Lord spoke Matthew 6:31,32 to me. "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them." Chasing money when our needs are great is a natural thing to do, but only the rest of God will produce the provision of God. As God once said to me, "When you stop, I start. When you start, I stop!" I was soon to learn that true rest in God (Hebrews 4) produces trust and obedience, and trust and obedience produces the provision of God. During this period I also got a John 5:30 revelation… "Of my own self, I can do nothing." For years everything I tried turned to manure until I simply quit trying and started obeying.

Another grave and carnal error by many in the Body of Christ is in following 'THE LAW' in tithes and offerings. When we engage the law as a lawful act instead of hearing the witness of the Spirit in our giving, we forfeit the grace to hear God for His specific instructions (Galatians 5:1-4). As I disengaged from the law (in my giving) I was released from the curse that the law brought upon me (Galatians 3:13,14). Amazingly, I began to hear God clearly with reference to giving. I also realized that God owned a 100% of every dime I am ever provided, not 10%. If He indeed owns it all, He is indeed willing and able to tell me what to do with it all. Once I learned that God owns it all, not the tenth I had been taught, my stewardship responsibilities took on new meaning. I entered into a new and deeper understanding of stewardship.

True stewardship is all encompassing; it involves all, not part, BUT ALL. As a brief conclusion to this point, let me say again that tithing, as a law will produce a curse upon your finances. Test this word. Try praying and hearing God in your giving and see God's hand in your life in new and exciting ways. Read and meditate the above-mentioned scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you. God intensely desires to commune with His people, but our traditions make the word of God to no effect (Matthew 15:6). What does this really mean? Our tradition or our way is to consult self, to depend upon self for answers; to be directed by our soul, when God desires that we hear from His Spirit within us. As amazing as this is, many of us know little of hearing His Spirit speak to us. Hence, we are bound by our own traditions. Often the unGodly counsel we take is from ourselves. Read Psalm 1 to understand why failure is so widespread amoung Christians.

Part of the false doctrine taught by many Word of Faith ministers is found in making the Bible God. The emphasis seems to always be upon reading the Word, with little emphasis upon getting before God, seeking His face, hearing and obeying. Meditating before God is an incredible missing link in the Body of Christ today! God's spoken word to us is masterfully confirmed by His written word, but when we do not first hear the Spirit on 'the Word,' we simply substitute our lack of an intimate relationship with Bible reading. This also contributes to the powerless state of the Church.

Intellectual assent is no substitute for an intimate relationship. Please understand that I am not saying the Bible is not the Word of God - it is! But what I am saying is that with a right relationship with God, "His sheep hear His voice," which is often His specific instruction to us apart from the logos. God desires to speak to us in specifics. In business, He will often give me specific direction relative to a real estate transaction. This type communication cannot always be found in the Bible, though often God will confirm specific instruction through His written Word.

I sense that we have gotten off base in our priorities. Instead of teaching the Body of Christ the prosperity message and good stewardship, we should first teach 'Sonship;' how to hear the Holy Spirit for ones self (Romans 8:14). Once intimacy is established, God and man can move in complete synchronization. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." It should not come as a shock that the Spirit does not lead every Christian?

We must lead the Body of Christ into hearing and obeying God. When enough individuals are hearing and obeying, an Army will arise whose commander and chief is God. The corporate Body will begin to operate in a power never seen before in this earth. Sonship will begin to dictate stewardship and every other aspect of our being. The emphasis will shift from 'doing' to 'being.' Individuals moving in synchronization with God's Spirit will connect to other parts of the Body to which they are called. As these parts unify, strength will come as properly connected parts begin to operate in the order and power of God - THE BODY OF CHRIST WILL ARISE!

God is beginning to birth His Church in preparation for His return. SONSHIP IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IN THE CHURCH TODAY!

What is God's purpose for the local church? To vest His corporate authority upon His Church; an authority that exudes the character, revelation, and power of God to all who come in contact with it. What is the believer's objective in the local church? To BECOME a Body/Church that is without spot or wrinkle - a work that is pleasing to the Father, which is totally controlled by the Holy Spirit. Every man must hear God as to his part in this work.

I think it fair to say that as this victorious assembly begins to emerge, the attacks of the anti-Christ spirit will continually test and expose true motives in the hearts of men. Prosperity or any other doctrine will NOT be permitted to come ahead of God's plan for His Body. As the Corporate Christ begins to come together as a remnant Body, the "called," will be separated from the "chosen" (Matthew 22:14).

If we are to be part of the promised seed of God we must distinguish between that which is blessed of God and that which is "chosen." There are many ministries today which are anointed and blessed but are still works of the flesh, having their origin in the minds and strivings of men, not in the heart of God. Like Saul, they may lead the church for a while but they will soon pass into oblivion. While Saul enjoyed the blessing and following of the people, David appeared cursed, and so it is until the appointed time (Galatians 4:1-7). Saul could not tolerate God's chosen heir to the throne just as Ishmael could not endure Isaac and taunted him. There is enmity between that which is born of the flesh and that which is born of the Spirit.

What then is the difference between the "called" and the "chosen?" The distinguishing feature between flesh and spirit is that the fear of the Lord (obedience) is greater than the fear of men or circumstances. One of the ultimate tests of being chosen is deciding who we fear the most, men and circumstances, or God. The spiritual nature of man must rule over the soulish nature. Spirit draws unto Spirit and soul draws unto soul (flesh). God's "chosen" always yield to that which is spirit. Those who love self-promotion and men's approval more than the things of the Spirit will always reject truth. The "chosen" of God are those who fear Him the most. Their emphasis is not prosperity or getting blessed, but obeying the living God and fulfilling their role and destiny in God's great plan for the age in which we now live.

As God separates us from the ways of men and those who practice such ways, we will soon find ourselves in a unique company of believers who share common beliefs in coming out of the Babylonian World's System (Revelation 18:4). It is in this unique company (assembly) that God will release His power. Let us not be sidetracked by the teachings of big name TV evangelist or pastors alike. Lord, grant us the wisdom the see this distraction for what it is, and have the courage to stand against it. Let us all ask the question, Is it prosperity or Sonship that we should be seeking? Is it prosperity or Sonship that we should be teaching? Judge this word!

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