50 Days of Wisdom

In Mark 12:38-40, Jesus cautions the people of Israel that their religious leaders are phony, corrupt hypocrites. He characterizes them, and all false teachers, as lovers of money who like to put on grandiose displays on the outside precisely because there is no true spirituality on the inside. Our Lord then condemns them: "These will receive greater condemnation." You know, there are people who think that if you're religious, you'll receive less condemnation. But, in fact, the hottest hell is reserved for religious false teachers because they are agents of Satan. They will receive a greater condemnation and more judgment. Listen to what Hebrews says: "How much greater judgment will the one feel who has trodden underfoot the Son of God and counted the blood of the covenant an unholy thing?" The idea is clear: those who are in the wrong religion will receive the far greater suffering and damnation because of that false religion and because they reject the true gospel and the true Christ. So don't be fooled by false religions, don't be drawn to them, and be warned—they are dangerous, and they will be condemned along with those who are associated with them. Then in verse 42, there's a seemingly strange turn. Jesus observed that "A poor widow came and dropped in a couple of coins." What is she in the story? She's a victim of their greedy system. Her outward action is simply evidence of what that system did to widows. The system says, "Do you want the blessing of God? Then give us your money." She's destitute; she's got two cents left, and she says to herself, "Either I take my two cents and buy my last meal, or I do what they tell me—send them the money, and God will bless me." Doesn't that sound like a TV preacher to you? That's the entire system: send me your money. If you're down to your last penny, send them your money to open the floodgates, and God will bless you. It's a den of robbers, and they were stealing it from the most destitute. Look, this isn't to teach us about attitudes in giving or amounts in giving; this is to teach us about corrupt religion. Beware of the false shepherds, the false teachers who take the last coins out of the widow's purse to fill their coffers, on the pretense that that kind of giving is the path to blessing. That's the prosperity gospel in a nutshell, and that's the real heartbeat of all false religion. If someone tells you that sending them money will bring blessings from God, it's a sign of a false teacher. Why? Because false leaders are always motivated by greed. Listen, Jesus said that any system of religion that misrepresents God and abuses people is coming down. All the robbers, all the thieves, all the fakes, all the phony teachers and preachers, and all the prosperity preachers who become rich on the gifts of desperate people looking for health and wealth—they will be severely judged. Therefore, this should be a warning passage to those contemporary TV preachers who prey on single older women who send them money. Jesus is saying, "Woe to you who sell miracle water and miracle rags, promising to heal the desperate in exchange for their money. Woe to you wealthy, self-indulgent TV preachers who become rich on the backs of the lonely, poor, disillusioned, diseased, and desperate. Woe to you who indulge in ten thousand dollar-a-night hotel rooms, claim revelations from God, and spend a hundred thousand dollars a month on your private jet, taking money for all of that from the most desperate people and doing it in the name of Christ. You will not escape judgment!" So our Lord cautions, characterizes, and condemns. Repent and believe! GTY.org (41-65) – Religion and Its Victims

Today's Wisdom

Day: 1047

October 2, 2026

woman in white sweater reading free ebook

About Us

The Mark Paul Ministry dedicates itself to providing free Christian eBooks that inform and empower readers. Discover and download free ebooks and articles compiled by the Mark Paul Ministry, as well as experience the power of faith through authoritative expository preaching.

Grace and peace,

My name is Mark Paul from Wauchula, Florida, and like the Apostle Peter said in 2 Peter 1:14, "I know that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent." Consequently, my goal is to leave a legacy that will continue to advance the kingdom of God long after I have departed. In other words, bear fruit for eternity. And by simply reading and sharing my free eBooks, you too become contributors to the advancement of His kingdom. Thank you for partaking in this endeavor, and I look forward to greeting you on heaven's shore.

The Truth in Love,

Mark Paul - Servant of God

Now grant, O Lord, that when the souls who read these books cast their eyes upon these lines, their minds may be illuminated and their consciences convinced and awakened, that they may see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and be converted so that You may heal them. Amen!