Have you seen and heard the fancy pancy Christians that claim great reward and prosperity available to all that pray a certain prayer, belong to a certain religion, or claim reward in order to receive it? It is a lie. God will not give you reward and prosperity for your accomplishments or wishes in this life. It is not going to happen.
So how do we address those Christian leaders that claim such lies? We call them false prophets and false teachers, and we get away from their mumble jumbo as fast as possible. Your righteousness, holiness, and life after death depends upon your choice of Christian leadership to follow. Don’t be tricked!
I have created a “False Teacher” (https://biblestudydata.com/moodle/mod/resource/view.php?id=127) and a “False Prophet” (https://biblestudydata.com/moodle/mod/resource/view.php?id=128) checklist to aid seeking unchurched Christians to find their leader that will shepherd them in the way of Christ and to prevent falling into the hands of the devil.
I know the popular messages on facebook from misguided Christians that encourage prosperity coming to them through prayer. Don’t waste your time. The Bible tells us differently:
“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” (Revelation 22:12)
The rewards of God come afterwards, when your life on this earth is ended and your works are completed. They never come to you when your works directed by God are unfinished. Reward never comes to any Christian for the stuff they do on this earth, until it is given by Jesus to you in His coming Judgment of your works:
“Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as holy fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)
The works I’m doing on this earth that are guided by God, the works you are doing on this earth that are guided by God, will be judged later, after our works are created and our lives are over on this earth. If any pretend Christian leader dares to tell you otherwise, tell him or her “Satan, get thee behind me!” and run like Hell is close at hand!
Now, don’t ever doubt the grace-filled Providences of the LORD God when you are given exactly what you need to accomplish His Works. When you are doing His extended works, He provides the tools, materials, and strength to accomplish it fully; He even sends people to help you with your job. If you run into a situation that you need more help, supplies, strength, or any other material need, your prayers to Him will alert your situation. He will then evaluate and provide the best solutions for your task at hand. Immediately. Supernaturally. Happens often in my life and many other Christian leaders lives as we do the things He wills. I’ve seen it happen in common Christian’s lives also, so it is not just restricted to the officers and leaders of His Kingdom.
Don’t expect prosperity or reward on earth. Money and materials coming your way from God’s Hands are restricted to the use towards His tasks, to the penny. Misspending and misappropriating His things can even result in death coming to you, should you misuse them in deliberate ways:
“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.” (Acts 5:1-11)
Do you see what I am saying? When you are doing works for the LORD God, take great care and consideration of all resources that come your way to the job He has given you. The natural life gifts of shelter, food, and livelihood that come to you from our Lord that is taking care of His flock, is much different for the materials and gains received from the LORD God for completion of works. In the first case of natural life gifts, praise the Lord often; it is nothing you did that merited such a gift! In the case of resources coming your way for the completion of His works, use them wisely! And, in the case of reward that will come to you and bring you exceedingly great prosperity, look for it when you are in the presence of the Lord and He rewards you for a job well done!