Misunderstood - Prophetess says the Church often misinterprets the scripture on wealth – Part 1

But remember the LORD your God, for it is h e who gives you the ability to produce wealth.- Deuteronomy 8:18

Wealth is often demonised by some churches, leaving members to believe that becoming ‘rich’ is ‘unchristlike’.

The scripture which states ‘it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom’ is magnified by these institutions which, to some extent, will others into believing that poverty is a door to Heaven, and prosperity hell’s entrance.

But Shanika Sutton, who operates in the office of prophetess, believes that the context of the popular scripture in Matthew is often misunderstood.

She explained, “The rich man loved his possessions so much that he was sad when Jesus told him to sell what he had. Jesus was specifically addressing those who love their wealth more than Him, those who are unwilling to give up the things they love to serve Him.”

Continuing on her point of the popular misconception of the scripture, Sutton revealed that the Church often overlooks the following verses in the same passage which state, “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age.”

“Jesus makes a promise of wealth and restoration to those who are fully committed to Him, so much that they would give up all they have to follow Him. Jesus promised to restore a hundred times on Earth all they have given up to serve Him. The Church misunderstands the concept of wealth.

“God promises wealth to those who are committed to Him, those who have repented and those who have made sacrifices to serve Him,” said Sutton.

“Those who love wealth will lose their life, such as the rich man Jesus was referring to in Matthew 19:24, but those who love God and pursue His Kingdom will be rewarded with prosperity in this present age,” she clarified.

GAINING WEALTH

Touching on the demonising of wealth by the Church, Sutton told Family & Religion that she was taught that believers should not hope for wealth in this life.

“I believed this concept until I started studying the Bible for myself. Ironically, according to Deuteronomy 8:18, the Lord Himself gives the power to gain wealth. Proverbs 22:4 also highlights wealth as a reward to those who fear the Lord. These scriptures changed my mind on how wealth should be perceived among believers,” she said, adding that the scriptures also confirmed that wealth was created for Christians to enjoy.

The woman of God mentioned men of the Bible who were all notably rewarded with wealth for honouring God and committing to His purpose. Men like David, Joseph, Job, Abraham, and Isaac.

According to her, “God created wealth, so He clearly has no problem with us being in possession of it. What the Bible warns against is the love of money and gaining wealth at the expense of one’s soul. Unfortunately, the Church doesn’t appreciate this concept. Instead they demonise wealth and glorify poverty. Poverty is a spirit and a stronghold, its motive is to keep the body of Christ from prospering.”