THE PROFITS OF GOT
THREAT
Modern day Ba'laamism: "The Rebellion of Greed"
In the book of Jude, while identifying character traits common amongst false teachers, Jude identifies 3 types of rebellion in verse 11. These three rebellions are typified in three persons:
Cain - "The Rebellion of Self-Righteousness"
Cain rejected God's methodology, (Gen 4:1-5).
Cain and Abel had been taught by their parents the principle that "without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin," (Heb 9:22). This is shown in that Adam and Eve had made their own coverings after their sin, (Gen 3:70), but these coverings weren't sufficient in the sight of God. So, for the first time ever, something had to die to provide a covering for Adam and Eve.1 This principle was obviously passed on to their children. Abel chose to obey the principle; Cain chose to bring his own best, instead of what God required.
New Thought teachers are guilty of Cain's rebellion in that they wantonly reject God's clearly recorded way of accomplishing what his followers are to accomplish, and have chosen instead to follow their own avarice. The injunction to "take up your cross" and follow the true Christ is considered to be negative. Instead, they redefine Christ to be as money hungry and materialistic as they are.
Korah - "The Rebellion of Insubordination"
Korah rejected God's hierarchy, (Num 16:1-33).
During the giving of the Law to Moses, and by extension, to the people of Israel, and just prior to the Israelite's being given the Promised Land; The Levite Korah attempted to carve himself out a position of authority in the soon to be possessed land. In an attempt to cover up his dire motives, Korah tried to sell Moses on the idea that he just wanted to help; just wanted to ease he and Aaron's workload. He rejected God's established author-ity structure as outlined in the Law.
Like Korah, Positive Confession peddlers exhibit an utter disdain for God's established authority structure, and this in spite of the fact that scripture is clear in it's instruction as to how the structure of the church is to be maintained. Paul instructed Timothy; "the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (II Tim 2:2) He instructed Titus, when choosing those for leadership, to choose men who were "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught." (Tit 1:9)
Positive Confession teachers reject adhering to the biblical method of discipleship, referring to it as "your tradition," and this after centuries of believers suffering, and even dying to uphold this truth. As with Korah, there is no respect for biblical leadership, or for the word of God it upholds.
Ba'laam - "The Rebellion of Greed"
Ba'laam sold God out for wealth, (Num 31:16).
During the time that Israel trekked through the wilderness to the Promised Land, and after the destruction of Korah for his rebellion, Israel encountered Ba'laam.
Ba'laam was a false prophet whom God chose to speak through. God chose to do this because Israel was passing near the Moabite kingdom, and their king, Balaak, wanted to attack the Israelites. (22:1) Before he would do that, and because he feared Israel's God and their military prowess, he sought to enlist the aid of his prophet Ba'laam. He did this to have a curse placed on Israel to tip the balance in his favor when he attacked them. (22:2-6) Knowing this, God told Ba'laam not to curse them, but rather, to bless them. (22:12; 23:20)
Even though Ba'laam wasn't one of God's prophets, he knew that to confront God's people was fruitless. Instead, Ba'laam, for a price, taught Balaak and his people how to infiltrate God's people, and then destroy them from the inside by gradually leading them to other gods. (25:1-18; 31:16; Rev 2:14)
Like Ba'laam, the modern Profits of Got are the end result of a massive infiltration effort by "he" who wants to stop us from accomplishing God's will, (Satan), but knows frontal confrontation is fruitless. The "Father of lies" first tried to peddle the lie of god-hood and a warped sense of self-empowerment in the Garden of Eden. Since that time he has at many times and in many ways sought to peddle these same lies. We are repeatedly warned in scripture to watch for the infiltration of his subtle agents. (Matt 7:15; 11:12-15) It is only with this current disdain for self-sacrifice, and the justification of greed that he has gained a measure of success in the camp. Believer's would do well to heed the words of the Apostle Peter, (as recorded in II Peter 2:1-3a), when he warned:
"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many shall follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up."
WHY SHOULD THE CHURCH BE CONCERNED?
Repeatedly when Individuals are warned that these types of teachings are infiltrating the Church, the prevailing attitude is that if it is not of God then it will fail. This is patently false! The scriptures are consistent in its revelation that as we get ever closer to the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Christian church will be infiltrated, and many will apostatize. Examples of this reality can be found in:
Amos 8:11,12 - "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it."
Acts 20:28-31 - "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath pur-chased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears."
John 16:1,2 - "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service."
II Thessalonians 2:1-3a - "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first."
I Timothy 4:1 - "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils."
I Timothy 6:3-10 - "If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such with-draw yourself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
II Timothy 3:1-8 - "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith."
II Timothy 4:1-4 - "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
II Peter 2:1-3a - "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you."
It is clear when reading these passages, that far from the rallying cries of revival, and fresh words from the Lord often heard from pulpits worldwide today, the scriptures provide an ominous warning for believers to be on their guard. The coming apostasy has arrived!
1. In verse 21 of this passage the Hebrew word translated "skins," (hor), denotes animal skins.
