Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 2:3
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.

Reflection: The Apostle Peter with the eyes of the Spirit sees into the future and warns the church of the emergence of false prophets. He gives the church several signs that these false prophets will exhibit, one of which is making merchandise of people with feigned ( insincere) words. To merchandise means to be involved in buying and selling. The end result is to make money. When somebody cleverly makes money out of you, it stands out to mean that that person has made a merchandise out of you. A true man or woman of God does not make merchandise of people through cleverly premeditated ways according to the standards of the bible. Clearly the word of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit is not meant to be used as a means to merchandise people. Check out people you submit to for spiritual guidance. Are they cleverly making merchandise of you? Are they involved in buying and selling in the church? Is their focus always on money? You may have found yourself in the wrong hands or church. Remember the words of Peter and pray about spiritual leaders you submit to. Beware of men and women of God who cleverly make money out of you! They may be false prophets! Ask God to open your eyes!

Prayer: Oh Lord, open my eyes so that I will stay away from pastors who make money out of people using feigned words.

Confessions: I will not bring myself under the ministry of men and women of God whose aim is their belly. They will not make money out of me.