Proverbs 11:4 says: “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.”

It’s obvious right from the Old Testament that riches, to whatever extent they interfere with righteousness, ought to be shunned.  We find abundant proof there that being driven by material gain and being faithful to the Lord are inconsistent with each other.  In spite of this, Prosperity Gospel preachers will often resort to the Old Testament to teach their demonic doctrine.  However, they have to twist Scripture in order to do this.  

Abraham, though rich, devalued riches in comparison to righteousness and was content to suffer loss in order to make righteous choices. We also see in Genesis chapter 13 that Lot’s own path to spiritual destruction began because he insisted on choosing to dwell in the place where his eyes told him was the best prospect for increasing his wealth.

The Prosperity Gospel preachers love to quote Deuteronomy 8:18: “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”

This verse in its context comes in relation to Israel being reminded of the sufficiency they had from God in the wilderness despite the hardship and limited resources available to them there.  They were being testified to of the certain judgment on those who forsake the true God while being warned that those who experience a notable increase in wealth are in especially danger of practically forsaking God by not keeping His commandments.  Deuteronomy 8:18 is actually a severe warning not to forsake God by setting the heart on wealth; and a reminder to be grateful for the wealth which comes in God’s will.  

The Old Testament even has much to say about covetous people becoming rich through wicked deeds while testifying that all people like this are surely cursed rather than blessed (see Psalm 10:2-3 and Jeremiah 5:23-31 for examples).  

The Old Testament leaves no doubt that many rich people are children of the devil who should not be admired nor followed nor praised.  One obvious example of this is Nabal (see 1 Samuel 25:2-3).  

The Old Testament doesn’t justify anyone’s covetousness.  Both the Old Testament and the New Testament were inspired by the same God whose moral principles never change.  Being rich and righteous at the same time has always been the exception rather than the rule.  

It has always been evil to stop one’s ears at the cry of the poor; and it has always been evil to covet becoming wealthy.  

The rich man in Luke chapter 16 who was being tormented in hell had already been warned by what was already written in the Old Testament about the ultimate judgment he would face if he did not repent of his love of his lavish lifestyle and his neglect of the needy.

Proverbs 21:13: “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.”

Proverbs 23:4-5: “Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.  Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?  for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”

Proverbs 28:22: “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.”

Aaron’s email is: [email protected]

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