If your “man of God” is wealthy, he is likely a false prophet

As a devout Christian, this is a topic close to my heart.

In recent years, a glaring phenomenon has taken root across the Christian landscape: church leaders living in obscene wealth.

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In Zimbabwe, this trend is particularly troubling. We witness self-styled “prophets” wallowing in extreme luxury while their congregants—from whose meager tithes, offerings, and donations this wealth largely emanates—endure grinding poverty. Even when these leaders claim their fortunes stem from shrewd business ventures, the contrast remains stark. What makes the situation in Zimbabwe even more disturbing is how openly some of these leaders are bankrolled by the country’s ruling elite, routinely showered with millions of dollars in cash and lavish vehicles.

This raises an uncomfortable question: are these gifts divine blessings, or are they a sign of something far more sinister? Do these displays of extravagance not identify these figures as the very “wolves in sheep’s clothing” Jesus Christ warned us about? We often cite the biblical standard that “you will know them by their fruits,” but Christ offered a far more revealing insight regarding false prophets. He declared that many would come to Him on judgment day saying, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?”

Yet He will reply, “I never knew you; depart from me.” This warning clarifies that performing supernatural acts, casting out demons, or accurately prophesying in Christ’s name is not the ultimate proof of genuine faith. Just as Pharaoh’s magicians replicated Moses’ signs, false prophets can mirror spiritual gifts. The true test lies deeper, in the spirit with which one serves God. Do these leaders worship Jehovah in truth and in spirit, or is the name of Jesus merely a profitable tool for deception?

A genuine relationship with God is revealed through the willingness to make the ultimate sacrifices required in following Christ. When a rich young man asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus instructed him to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor. The man went away grieved because he could not part with his wealth.

This was not a random demand; sharing wealth to eliminate poverty was a bedrock principle of the early church. Many modern church leaders deliberately avoid teaching the story of Ananias and Sapphira, or reduce it to a simple cautionary tale against lying. Yet their divine execution was tied directly to the early church’s communal standard: no believer was to hold onto individual riches while others suffered in want. Believers sold their assets and shared everything so that no one lacked.

Ananias and Sapphira fell dead because they secretly withheld a portion of their wealth while claiming they had surrendered all. In the early church, established by Christ’s original apostles, no leader or member was meant to accumulate personal riches above the rest. This is the teaching avoided in modern prosperity centers, because true selflessness is the exact fruit false prophets cannot bear.

A false prophet can easily fake a prophecy or a healing, but he will never sell his fortune to distribute it equally among his struggling followers. Not a single apostle of Jesus was recorded as wealthy. Even the Apostle Paul, who worked as a tentmaker, spoke of contentment in times of need rather than the accumulation of personal fortunes.

While modern preachers frequently point to the riches of David, Solomon, Job, or Abraham to justify their opulence, these figures were kings and patriarchs, not gospel ministers or Old Testament prophets. God’s prophets—like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Hosea—were never characterized by material riches. Furthermore, scripture’s promises of being made rich through Christ’s poverty point to spiritual abundance, and any material grace was still subject to the law of Christian stewardship and sharing.

Today, we see self-proclaimed “men of God” listed among the wealthiest individuals in the nation, flying in private jets and residing in magnificent mansions while their followers struggle for basic food, healthcare, and school fees. If these leaders were genuine, they would surrender their lavish fortunes to relieve the suffering of their own flocks. Their refusal proves they are no different from the young man who turned away from Jesus in grief. Scripture plainly reminds us that no one can serve two masters; you cannot serve both God and Mammon.

By choosing lavish luxury over sacrificial love, these leaders reveal who they truly serve. False prophets choose personal luxury over true Christian sacrifice every single time. As believers seeking truth, we must stop worshipping at the altars of personal enrichment and reject those who turn Christ’s gospel into a lucrative enterprise. When a spiritual leader hoards vast fortunes in the presence of suffering congregants, he has already abandoned the cross for the love of money. ​ A true servant of God builds His kingdom, not a personal financial empire.

***Tendai Ruben Mbofana is a social justice advocate and writer. Please feel free to contact him on +263715667700 or ***mbofana.tendairuben73@gmail.com

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