2 Peter 2:3 KJV
[3] “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”
In this verse, Peter issues a stern warning against the false prophets of his day. He first identifies covetousness as the driving force behind false teaching. These individuals are not motivated by love for the truth or concern for God’s people, but by greed and personal gain. We see so much of that in the world today. We are no strangers to fake preachers who try to exploit the spirituality of others for financial gain. We know that these men are nothing more than salesmen who have a great desire for wealth and power, and they will say or do anything to get it.
Peter says that they will use “feigned words” to gain the ear of those they are speaking to. This phrase refers to deceptive, fabricated speech that is woven with enticing words. While their teaching may sound convincing, it is actually rooted in lies. They use manipulation to sway the listeners into thinking that they are being used by God.
We must be aware of these salesmen, because they even exist in our own ranks. It is easy to spot the TV evangelists who try to steal our money, but the ones who have crept in unawares are the most deadly. Do not be swayed by a preacher’s popularity or personality. Many have jumped on the bandwagon of a successful preacher, assuming that God was using him just because they saw results in his ministry. Remember, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, and many others were not popular, nor did they have impressive results in their ministries.
I believe a man of God should be taken care of, but he should never ask for money or try to fleece the people of God. If some preachers lost their paycheck, they would find another line of work within thirty days. True men of God are men of principle, and not profit. God may bless them, but they are more concerned about preaching than the purse. I have made it a practice not to immediately grab hold of the latest and greatest preacher or singer who appears to be impressing the people. It pays to wait and see, because time will reveal the truth. As believers, we must be discerning and not easily swayed by persuasive, unbiblical preaching or teaching. Charisma and personality may flourish for a season, but truth always prevails in the end. Those who misuse His Word for selfish gain will one day face God’s judgment. God will not be forgetful or careless when it comes to dealing with these salesmen.