Matthew 23:14 Widow's Houses

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation." [Matthew 23:14 NASB]

The Pharisees would move themselves and their attendants into the houses of these widows, commandeering the home. They would also use guile and deceit to become stewards of the home, and having gained full legal rights, they would sell the house out from under the widow, pocketing the prophet. This was all considered "good stewardship" in the name of religion. In the midst of their evil dealing, they would put on a holy front with their long prayers.

This is the same as some televangelists on TV who promise God's blessings if you will send your money to them. "The more you send, the bigger the blessing".

I once had a neighbor who was a widow. She didn't get out much, so she would sit at home and watch religious programming on the TV. She was particularly taken with one minister, and, being in a vulnerable state, sent him her savings. The only "blessing" she got back was a tax receipt. While she should have been able to live comfortably and independently for many more years, she lost everything, and depended on her children to take care of her every need.

I don't watch a lot of religious programming, having a low tolerance for showmanship in the pulpit, but I have seen enough to want to avoid it.

There are some preachers who have a broad popularity, not only in the Christian community, but also in the world. Think about why that is.

Jesus said, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you." [John 15:18 NASB] And Paul said, "but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness," [1 Corinthians 1:23 NASB]

If the world loves the message a preacher is preaching, How much of Jesus is in that message?

One of the world's most popular preachers these day is Joel Osteen. I even heard good things about him from someone I know who is generally antagonistic towards anything Christian. Curious, I tuned into his show. What I heard was a half hour commercial for his "ministry", an long appeal for money, and a promise of wealth for those who "sow their seeds". I did not once hear the name of Jesus.

The "prosperity doctrine" is popular because it promises wealth to the believers. But it seems like the only ones becoming wealthy are the prosperity preachers who prey on the weak and vulnerable. They point to there own wealth as proof of God's blessing, somehow equating wealth with holiness.

By that reasoning, Elon Musk should be about the holiest man in America, but I have never heard any evidence that He has any kind of relationship with God.

The Pharisees were wealthy, and put a great deal of money into the temple treasury. But it was the poor widow who received Jesus' praise.

Money isn't evil, although "the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." [1 Timothy 6:10 NASB]

If you have a good business sense, and can make money, that's fine. Use it for the glory of God, and to help others in need. But don't fall into the trap of thinking you have greater faith than the person who needs help.

The rewards you seek should be in heaven, and not in this life, "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." [Matthew 6:21 NASB]