We live in a time when the line between ministry and business has become increasingly blurred. From lavish lifestyles to questionable financial practices, many ask, “Is this what Jesus intended when He called us to serve?”
An issue has raised eyebrows and sparked heated debates across congregations: the disturbing trend of so-called shepherds of the flock not serving in ministry for the right reasons.
Scripture warns us about the dangers of false teachers and unrepentant sin, emphasizing the importance of discernment and accountability within the body of Christ. Paul didnโt shy away from naming false teachers like Hymenaeus and Alexander in 1 Timothy 1:20, warning that their actions were shipwrecking the faith of others. He also called out Hymenaeus and Philetus in 2 Timothy 2:17 for spreading false teachings like a “gangrene.” In 2 Timothy 4:14-15, Paul warned and informed the church of the harm Alexander the coppersmith had caused him.
Similarly, in 3 John 1:9-10, the apostle John publicly identified Diotrephes, a leader in the church who was talking โwicked nonsenseโ and loved putting himself first instead of others.
These biblical examples make it clear that calling out sin isnโt about judgment or condemnation but about safeguarding the truth and protecting the spiritual integrity of Godโs people.
I once came across this headline: โFinancing a millionaire lifestyle: Pastors generate wealth from life, business coaching.โ The article highlights Pastor Keith Craft as one of Americaโs wealthiest pastors. He charges an annual fee of $84,000 to participate in his Life Mastery Mastermind.
When you go to Pastor Craftโs Life Mastery website, it states in red, โBecome a Master of every area of your life.โ His podcast lists him as a โthink coachโ and โleadership transformationalist.โ
What exactly does a โthink coachโ do, and why should Christians be concerned that some pastors are doing this and making a load of money? For starters, the Bible does not emphasize positive thinking and visualization. Many โthink coachesโ emphasize suppressing or reducing negative emotions and experiences, which they say prevent a person from thinking and achieving positivity.
Yes, the Scriptures do not encourage us to tap within ourselves to achieve a higher state of positive thinking that generates inner power to overcome negativity. We are to look to Jesus and place our faith in Him, who strengthens and gives us peace. Jeremiah 17:9 clearly states, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it?โ This verse serves as a potent reminder that depending only on our thoughts and desires can ultimately lead to confusion and deception.
Elsewhere, the apostle John cautions against the obsession with material desires, stating, “Do not love the world or the things in the world.ย If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.ย For all that is in the worldโthe desires of the flesh andย the desires of the eyes and pride of lifeโis not from the Father but is from the world.ย Andย the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides foreverโ (1 John 2:15-17).
The truth is, these sorts of โpositive thinkingโ or โmastermindโ courses are more aligned with what is referred to as New Thought than biblical Christianity. The New Thought movement is a belief system from the late 19th and early 20th centuries that focuses on the idea that our thoughts can shape our reality. The concept emphasizes that positive thinking and visualization can potentially lead to the manifestation of desired outcomes.
Phineas Quimby, a prominent figure in the New Thought movement, was a mesmerist and healer who strongly advocated that false beliefs caused illness and suffering. Quimbyโs teachings even influenced Mary Baker G. Eddy, the founder of Christian Science.
Prominent evangelical figures such as Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, and T.D. Jakes have been known to promote a concept often called “positive faith” or the โprosperity gospel.โ This belief emphasizes the power of optimistic thinking and affirmations and that God desires to bless His followers abundantly in all aspects of life, especially in finances.
While some view prosperity doctrine as uplifting, it has also sparked controversy within the Christian community. Critics argue that the prosperity doctrine, which equates financial prosperity with spiritual blessing, distorts biblical teachings and prioritizes earthly wealth over deeper spiritual truths. This blending of positive thinking with Christian doctrine has led to ongoing debates over whether it truly aligns with the core message of the Gospel.
What we see and ought to keep as our main priority as Christians (especially our pastors) is to preserve the Gospel, not taint it. Paul boldly writes, “I am astonished that you areย so quickly desertingย him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning toย a different gospelโnot that there is another one, butย there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.ย But even if we orย an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you,ย let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-8).
Paul emphasizes the crucial role of pastors and church leaders in safeguarding the integrity of the gospel message. This responsibility includes identifying and addressing any attempts to misrepresent or distort the message.
The Bible stresses the importance of exposing and correcting false teachings prioritizing personal wealth over serving God and caring for others. It’s crucial to stay vigilant against those who “in their greed will exploit you with false words” (2 Peter 2:3).
As followers of Christ, it’s our responsibility to uphold God’s truth, exercise discernment, and speak out against those who distort or pervert the teachings of Scripture.
