1. Is the doctrine based in materialistic promises? In other words, are they promising that if you are "in-tune" with God that you will be rewarded with an abundance of wealth?

Are they teaching that your faith will manifest itself in the form of material blessings?

Are they telling you, your problems will be over and everything you desire will be provided, everything from a husband / wife to a new car or a bank account that will solve all of your problems?

THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND!
I am NOT saying that God WILL NOT or CANNOT do these things! I am asking --- is that the carrot that they are dangling before you? Is that the primary message? (I typed this in color because there will be somebody out there who will try to twist my meaning)

Material things are NOT the reason to become a Christian. God may or may not choose to provide an abundance of money or material things. These things may not be in your best interest. Or the time may not be right. This is quite evident when Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, The Lord's Prayer... Matthew, chapter 6.. beginning vs 8.
⁸"Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. ⁹In this manner, therefore, pray:
        Our Father in heaven,
        Hallowed be Your name.
        ¹⁰Your kingdom come.
        Your will be done
        On earth as it is in heaven.
        ¹¹Give us this day our daily bread.
        ¹²And forgive us our debts,
        As we forgive our debtors.
        ¹³And do not lead us into temptation,
        But deliver us from the evil one.
        For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Jesus said, "For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." In other words, you don't really know what to ask for. You'll notice in the prayer above Jesus taught us to ask for "Our Daily Bread" not an overabundance or riches galore. The "debts" referred to are "sins" not monetary obligations. "Forgive us for our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."

I hear it every day! Rich TV Preachers telling you how to have riches beyond your wildest dreams! They brag about their luxury jets and fabulous lifestyles. It makes me sick! These phoney pitch-men are filthy rich and you are buying into it! These people may or may not realize they are of Satan! The important thing is that YOU don't follow them! There is a lot of truth in their teachings but it is a 'twisting' of God's principles to wrongly use the methods.

As a true man-of-God I know I still have a lot to learn but I am far enough along to see through these phoney men-of-Satan preach a "feel good" false doctrine to bring you into their "club."

God Tests Us...

God has deliberately denied many material things to me to test me and to elevate my dependance upon Him. This requires faithful understanding. Do not buy into a faith that is based in material blessings. Many times material possessions are the reason for failure in the spiritual realm. Trust God not your own earthly desires. Of course it is perfectly fine to ask that your needs be met but not to accommodate a lavish lifestyle that is placed before God.

There was a long period of time that God withheld most all material things from me. Everything I did was successful but He wouldn't allow any money to come my way. It was amazing! I would make things happen and accomplish the task but NO MONEY! Every success I had resulted in poverty. At this writing I am still not well-off or out of the jungle. I still live day-by-day. I guess I had a lot to learn about humility and a superior attitude.

Until that period of time, when I was returning to God, I had never known how to fail! Everything I did was successful and making money and material things of this world came very easy.

However, in 1980 I backslid, I walked away from God and when I finally asked to come back into His favor, 10 years later, He taught me a few lessons. He gave me a spanking that lasted over a decade. I am still not allowed the material success that I am capable of. He keeps me humble and working for Him.

If this sounds bad, it is not! I have grown spiritually and all of this seeming failure in the materialistic world is an answer to prayer. I prayed for eternity with Him and He seems to be saying, "Material wealth will only come between me and my mission for Him." Perhaps someday I will be blessed financially once again but if not??? I'll trust Him. He is answering my prayer to be with Him in eternity and just because I don't understand how He achieves that, I will not question Him... Read the Book Of Job - It is almost my biography!

Learn From The Book Of Job...

Even though God allowed Satan to strip Job of all his material wealth, Job remained true to God. Satan's argument with God was, that if God removed Job's wealth he would curse God. Job was reduced to poverty and his health was severely impaired. Job could not understand why God would allow it. Never-the-less, Job withstood the test and passed with flying colors!

Sometimes, financial problems can be the catalyst that brings us to God or the test that elevates us in the Kingdom of God. Perhaps it comes as a health problem or a relationship with a loved one. Whatever the test, hang tough and trust God, even though the going gets tough!

Whatever you do, don't allow material blessings be the factor that determines your relationship with God. Don't fall into the trap of those materialistic preachers who teach the doctrine promising financial gain by belonging to their cult. It may seem to work but the blessing may be coming from Satan! I've seen it! You don't want it!