The Eye of the Needle: Discipleship and Wealth

The Eye of the Needle:

Discipleship and Wealth

Jim Reiher

Forewords by Tim Costello and John Smith

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2016 by Jim Reiher

All Rights Reserved.

This e-book should not be reproduced or resold to any third party in any format.

Table of Contents

Forewords by Tim Costello/John Smith

Introduction: There are Times When Even Good People are Wrong

Chapter 1 The Parable of the Talents

Chapter 2 The Misuse of Scripture

Chapter 3 Should a Christian Desire More Wealth?

Chapter 4 The Poverty Mentality-Play on Words

Chapter 5 Confusing the Old Covenant With the New

Chapter 6 Confusing the Old Covenant Blessings and Curses With New Covenant Lifestyle

Chapter 7 Pick a Proverb, any Proverb

Chapter 8 New Testament Verses not Usually Quoted by Prosperity Teachers. Part 1: Jesus

Chapter 9 Further New Testament Verses not Usually Quoted by Prosperity Teachers. Part 2: The Apostles

Chapter 10 New Testament Verses Used to try to Justify Prosperity Teaching – or – How to Misuse the Bible in Seven Easy Ways

Chapter 11 Do Christians Have to Tithe?

Chapter 12 Biblical Teaching on Generosity - 2 Corinthians 8-9

Chapter 13 Jesus is More Than Enough

Chapter 14 Rich Men and Camels

Appendix: Prosperity Teaching and the New Age Movement

Acknowledgements

Writing a book takes a considerable time. Over the journey of writing this particular book, there have been a number of people who have both inspired me to write and have given assistance in various ways. First and foremost was Julie – who has put up with her intense husband/author who has been passionately trying to say something in the best possible way. Julie encouraged me to write, and offered constructive criticism throughout. She read various parts of the draft, and suggested a sensible and gentle perspective on many occasions. My youngest two children, Timothy and Gabrielle (the teenagers in our house for much of the time it took to put this manuscript together – I worked on it for a long time!) should get a mention too. All too often I was at the computer, and their understanding and encouragement has been another factor in me finishing this work. Daniel, one of my older sons, also took the time to read a draft copy and offer his thoughts. Simon-Peter, the oldest son, also gave me on-going encouragement to write what he agreed ‘needed to be said.’

Tim Costello took time to read the draft, offer suggestions and write the foreword – thanks Tim! A busy man with many commitments, and so his help was greatly appreciated. The much loved John Smith also made time in the midst of a tight deadline for his foreword – thanks John. Mark Vainikka, previous editor of the Evangel NOW magazine, (the then official publication of the Assemblies of God in Australia), and now a Lutheran Minister, also helped me considerably. He not only read the draft, but he meticulously proof-read the whole thing, and so he should also be thanked! I could not believe how many small typo and style errors were in the draft (that I was sure was finished). Likewise thanks go to Robert McQuillan, also a previous editor of the Evangel NOW and now a minister. He did the second proof read of the book, spending many hours checking the text and offering numerous helpful suggestions. Others who read the draft, or parts of the draft, and who offered their constructive criticism included Barry Chant, founder of Tabor College Australia; Shane Varcoe, an author, pastor, and friend, and Fletcher Hulks, one of my past students. Thanks very much, gentlemen!

Then there was the wonderful help of the UNOH crew (Urban Neighbours of Hope) who helped put the original hard copy version of this book together. A lot of folk were involved: Ash Barker, Mike Lane, Nick Wright, Brett Gospell, and Vanessa Battersby and no doubt others who I have overlooked (apologies!). And to all those who put up with my speculations, thinking out loud, questions, concerns, and ravings – thanks for your patience and encouragement: Lynn, Greg, Tania and others - (better friends than money could buy! – but now I am pre-empting the content of this book).

I am a rich man: I have some of the greatest, and definitely not rich and famous, friends in the world for family, workmates, colleagues, students, and personal friends. I don’t need anything else.

Jim Reiher

Bible text used in this book: NIV unless otherwise stated.

Foreword – Tim Costello

It has been a pleasure to read Jim Reiher's timely contribution to the debate around wealth, faith and prosperity. This is not just a finely researched Biblical treatment, but it is also a prophetic note. Within his own circles, as within the wider Christian faith, prosperity teaching has been a stubborn and seductive doctrine. It fits the dominant culture's norm so perfectly and invisibly, that preachers, tele-evangelists and Bible teachers have passed off this noxious doctrine as the teaching of Jesus himself.

Of course, Jesus was crystal clear by speaking of one having to choose between God and mammon. This surprised the hearers of Jesus' time, as they knew no contemporary god called 'mammon'. Jesus suggested that mammon would have religious and idolatrous force and in that he anticipated our very culture.

I think this careful and reasoned treatment of what Scripture actually teaches about wealth is a welcome re-statement of the church's historic position, prophetically engaging our culture of affluence.

Tim Costello

Foreword – John Smith

Prosperity doctrine is so absurd in the face of Jesus’ teaching I first thought it was a kind of Monty Python send-up of the muddled-headed fringe of the church. I was wrong. As the church in the West has divorced itself from the great Reformation truth, sola scriptura, and married itself to market economics and the self-esteem movement, this ancient heresy of the Pharisees has spread like a mutating virus through the wings of the global information market and its subservient TV God Channels. Thank God someone has taken the time to pull together a comprehensive examination of this pernicious heresy.

When Constantine made Christianity the politically acceptable religion in 312 the prosperity doctrine so opposed to Jesus through the rich Pharisees moved from Judaism to mainstream Christianity. Bishops and clergy rejoiced in their new position, building themselves sumptuous mansions and villas, and strutting about in sumptuous robes. But a significant minority was aghast, urging the Church to recall the simplicity and generosity which Christ both preached and lived. (On Living Simply: The Golden Vocie of John Chrysostom, Liguori Publications 1996.)

Chrysostom, a rich lawyer gave his fortune to the poor and gave a lifetime to biblical teaching and challenging the heresy of prosperity teaching. He became the patriarch of the Eastern Church, greatly loved by the common people but murdered by the power elite of the church and state. He said: ‘We who are disciples of Christ claim that our purpose on earth is to lay up treasures in heaven. But our actions belie our words…[we] build for ourselves fine houses, lay out splendid gardens, and buy fields. It is small wonder then, that many pagans refuse to believe what we say. ‘If their eyes are set on mansions in heaven, why are they building mansions on earth?’ they ask.’

Lest in this critical hour of world history we (the Church) receive the divine charge of unfaithfulness and the world’s accusation of hypocrisy, we must give heed to the timely warning Jim has provided. His courage, gentleness and clarity breathe the spirit of Jesus and of John Chrysostom again.

John Smith

Introduction

There are Times When Even Good People are Wrong

Prosperity Teaching in the Church

Prosperity teaching has distressed me since I was first exposed to it about 30 years ago. I believed then and still do, that it is really bad Bible teaching. It is an erroneous doctrine. This book will demonstrate that the Bible does not teach such things. About 30 years ago, the big name teachers of this message were men such as Kenneth Copeland and Kenneth Hagin. Soon Jimmy Bakker became another outspoken advocate. Then there was John Avanzini, Benny Hinn and others. One thing they all had in common was that they were rich, successful North American ministers. Although distressed, I was consoled in that no major church leader in Australia taught what I intend to show in this book: a distortion of the gospel that goes under the title ‘prosperity doctrine.’ Admittedly, there were some individuals who taught this mistaken doctrine in Australia, but they were not prominent church leaders or colourful and well know Australian preachers. They were simply impressionable, unadvised people who grabbed hold of the American books and tapes, and taught the same things in Australia.

I considered writing a book about the issue all those years ago. In fact, the title Rich Men and Camels was impressed on my mind even then. But nothing came of the desire deep within me to do so.

But times have changed. Now we do have more local teaching on this topic. It is much more common to hear different preachers teach that God wants us all to be rich, and that we should desire that goal to help achieve God’s plans in this world. Finally, I am compelled to write.

I want to say from the outset that I believe that not all teachers of this mistaken doctrine are ‘false teachers’ or ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’ ‘evil deceivers’ (as some more hostile critics might say). There is a huge difference between a ‘false teacher’, and a sincere Christian who has misunderstood the scriptures and consequently passed on wrong teaching! Having said that, I trust that none of my readers will misunderstand my motives or my goals. I will seek to show that prosperity teaching is not the right kind of outlook and philosophy to have as we seek to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. Prosperity teaching is in error and needs to be corrected. This book aims to do just that.

The Tension of Leadership, and the Perception of Infallibility

If you have heard a preacher or minister teach prosperity doctrine, you may feel a tension that is really quite common. We might like that person. They may be doing some good things in their church or in the wider church community. They clearly do not get everything wrong. They do a lot of positive and sound things. And so it becomes difficult to actually say: ‘This part of your teaching or ministry is mistaken or in error’.

There is the reality that we want to believe everything our leaders say. We can fall into the mistake of treating every word from our leaders as if containing divine authority. If we are pressed to a corner we would say something like this: ‘Of course none of us are perfect in all we say and do, and yes, even our preacher can make mistakes, and could make some slips when speaking or writing,…but…’ We end up with a but because we don’t usually apply the statement we have just said. We feel it is disrespectful to even suggest that any of our leaders might not be completely right. To make such discernment might be seen as ‘not getting behind the leadership.’ It could be perceived as being ‘disloyal.’ It might be said to be ‘not following the movement’s vision given to us through our leaders.’ We want to, and even feel an obligation to, accept all our leaders say, and so we usually do.

But let us be honest with ourselves here. There are times when all of us make mistakes. We all say and do some things, or lots of things (hopefully not too many things too often), that are ill-informed or ill-advised or just plain wrong. We all need correction at times. Is there any church leader out there who does not believe that? And yet there are church leaders who act as if they don’t make any mistakes. There are some who have no structures in place to really allow anyone to speak into their lives. They surround themselves with like-minded people who will only agree with them, because they are so much like their leaders. They have elders and boards but such people are often hand picked and can be un-appointed if they fall out of favour with the leader. Our leaders will say that they have mentors who speak into their lives, but these mentors are often hand picked friends, who are very similar to them in philosophy and lifestyle.

Prosperity Teaching is spreading

Prosperity teaching is wrong. What it says is dangerous teaching that can lead to self-centredness, pride, envy, and greed.

And tragically, there is another new problem. Prosperity teaching is being exported to developing nations. Prosperity teachers are being so bold, insensitive and downright foolish as to take their mistaken views and try to teach them in less developed countries. It sounds almost impossible to believe, but it is true. I have been to Sri Lanka and heard stories from pastors first hand: Australian and American visiting preachers have even taught prosperity teaching to the poor church members of that nation. And a friend who has contacts in Nigeria tells me the same tragic story there. People are being fed the lie of prosperity teaching there as well. We might think that the poorer folk who hear this message in such countries would reject it and the speaker. But tragically, it strikes a chord of desperation and material desire in the hearts of many of the hearers.

Listen to the words of a pastor’s wife from Nigeria, in May 2000¹. She responded to an e-mail asking if it was true that there were great revival meetings of hundreds of thousands of people happening in Nigeria at that time. She writes: ‘It is true there are such gatherings. The black man is a very religious man. The church in this country is very materialistic. Most Pentecostal preachers are not doing the work of the kingdom the way the Master has commanded us. They are after money, fame and power. It will shock you to learn that some of the preachers consult black powers/magic so they could fake the manifestations of the spiritual gifts. These gifts draw or bring the crowd. A large crowd means large offerings…The missing factor is discipleship. Every Tom Dick and Harry is a born again Christian. The gospel is embellished so it will look very attractive to the listeners, hence you have a lot of people respond to the gospel because of what they can get – material prosperity. God is like a money doubler. A lot of people have given fat amounts of money not because God’s work is in need, but because they expect 100 fold to come back to them! Everyone wants to be a millionaire! What is going on is no revival. It is a supermarket for miracles. These brethren lack in character.…’.

Such a report is damning and deeply distressing. People are coming to the meetings but ‘this is no revival.’ These poorer folk are flocking out hoping to get some of the ‘cargo’ that the West has so much of. And western prosperity teachers are feeding them a lie that will only disappoint and hurt them in the long run. One has to wonder why western preachers of prosperity would bother going to these countries. Surely they could make more money staying in the West? I would suggest the prosperity teachers are doing this for a few reasons:

They have been accused by critics saying they should not teach something in the West that would not be able to be taught in poorer nations, and they are proving they can teach this in such countries.

They will also be able to advertise they have ‘ministered’ in a list of underdeveloped nations, giving them more credibility in the eyes of other westerners.

They may genuinely believe they have the answer for these poorer nations. Tragically they are mistaken.

Prosperity teaching actually contributes to people abandoning the faith when these simple formulas don’t work for them. This is especially so if they have given generously (even sacrificially) to their local church or other appeals, and then they struggle on with no significant financial change. People are being misled, badly taught, and left in confusion and carrying many hurts. A lot of sheep are wandering away from the flock when the simplistic promises of prosperity teachers are not fulfilled in their lives. They suffer unnecessary emotional, spiritual and economic hardship, because they try to implement the principles of prosperity, and are disappointed. For every anecdote that a prosperity teacher holds up as examples of ‘proof’ of his or her teachings, there are scores of disappointed and hurting people. There is a desperate pastoral problem that needs attention! We should be caring about hurting sheep and sheep that have decided to leave the flock. That concern alone, is cause enough for a book such as this.

What This Book Will Show the Reader

Interpreting and teaching the Bible is done badly when people pick and choose parts of verses and isolated sentences to prove their agenda.

How we interpret the Bible is vital, otherwise all sorts of errors will be taught.

The New Testament teaches some different things to the Old Testament – but that is acceptable because the Old Testament predicted things would change when the New Covenant came.

There are more than two positions a Christian can take when it comes to money and possessions. Eg. If a person is not teaching prosperity doctrine, it does not mean they are advocating a poverty lifestyle.

The scripture unambiguously tell us that Christians must not desire wealth – and to desire more money is in fact the same thing as loving money.

Some Christians are given the task by God of stewarding large sums of money and possessions. There will be Christian businessmen and women, and others who do have a lot of resources. That is a special responsibility from God.

Not all Christians are given that task.

If God puts a Christian in charge of wealth, however, it is a special responsibility from God for that person.

A Christian with that responsibility is teaching falsely if they tell all Christians to expect, or seek, to have that same responsibility.

All Christians are responsible to God for the little or the lot that is in their hands.

All Christians should be generous and willing givers.

Giving is a sacrifice and never an obligation.

Tithing is an Old Covenant teaching. It