I know of a young woman who sincerely believes God wants her to be wealthy. At this point in life, however, she’s broke, debt-ridden and mad at God.

Unfortunately, she holds to a false teaching. Somewhere, someone convinced her that if she did everything right, God would bless her with the wealth she so desires. People who accept this can even quote a few verses in defense of their view. Unfortunately, reality smacks back.

Peter and the churches under his leadership dealt with false teachers as well. These guides brought vice and sexual immorality into the church, mirroring the society around them. As the result, the truth of the gospel fell into disrepute, and lives of the saints were ruined.

As Peter wrote, false teachers are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Contrast that to Jesus who told us, if anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

Following the false leads to emptiness. A disingenuous instructor uses religious language and symbols to appeal to our base desires. False teachers hold seminary degrees and quote verses. All the great heresies were spawned by theologians.

But if such a teacher leads you or me toward personal gratification and away from the broad teachings of the Bible, then take pause. Avoid careening toward a dry spring, away from the giver of deep and abundant wealth, which may or may not involve money.

2 Peter 2 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Viacheslav Bublyk