The Error of Balaam
Jude 11 – “Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.”
Previously, we saw that some false teachers are like Cain; they teach a false doctrine regarding salvation. Other false teachers, however, are like Balaam. Jude tells us that they “run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward.” In order to identify these false teachers, let us examine the life of Balaam.
The Story of Balaam
We find the story of Balaam in the book of Numbers, chapter 22. In this chapter, Balak, the king of Moab, sent men to Balaam, the supposed prophet of God. They were sent to Balaam with a purpose. They had heard that Balaam was such a man that, whoever he blessed was blessed, and whoever he cursed was cursed. So, Balak sent men to him so that Balaam would curse Israel, that Moab might have a military victory over Israel.
Balaam, like Cain, is religious. As soon as the men show up, Balaam prays about whether or not he should go with these men.
Numbers 22:10-11 – “And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.”
As a result of Balaam’s prayer, God answers his prayer plainly and explicitly.
Numbers 22:12 – “And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.”
The answer could in no way be plainer. “Don’t go with the men,” and “don’t curse Israel.” The story of Balaam and Balak should have ended right here. There is never a need for a story to continue when we have a clear-cut answer from the Lord. Sadly, however, the story does not end here.
Balaam, in apparent obedience to the Lord, sent the men away. When they came to Balak, they told Balak, “Balaam refuses to come with us.” Balak, then has a plan.
Numbers 22:15 – “And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.”
Balak sent more princes to Balaam, and these princes had more honor than the first group that came to Balaam. Balaam, at first, seems to give them the right answer. He states that he cannot go beyond the word of the Lord. Since God told him not to go, he cannot go.
The story, however, does not end here. This is the point in the story where Balaam makes his first error. He decides to have another prayer meeting. He already had a definite answer from God, but the honorable position and the wealth that he could acquire began to tempt him.
Numbers 22:19 – “Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.”
He asked the men to tarry with him for the night, while he learns what else the Lord may say unto him. This was a terrible mistake. There was no need to hear anything else from the Lord. He had his answer. Yet, he prays again. The Lord, then, speaks to Balaam a second time. The Lord tells Balaam, “In the morning, if the men ask you to go with them, then go.” The morning came. The men speak nothing to Balaam. What does Balaam do? He goes with the men to Balak, although the men did not ask him to do so, thoroughly disobeying the word of God.
How Are False Teachers Like Balaam?
False teachers have greedily run after the error of Balaam in several ways. First, Balaam, like most false teachers, was religious. The first activity in which we see Balaam engaged is that of prayer. It becomes clear, then, that just because someone prays, that is not an indication of the degree of their spirituality.
Second, Balaam sought additional revelation than the word he had already received from God. Let me say plainly here, when the written word of God is not enough for an individual, that person is a false teacher. If a teacher must have additional revelation, then you do not need to hear anything else that person has to say; they are as false as Balaam. Balaam represents the teacher who is seeking more revelation than what he has in the scriptures. Balaam represents the teacher who places a higher value on visions, dreams, tongues, interpretation, prophecy, and voices than on the written word of God. If you are a teacher who thrives on these things more than on the written word of God, you are a modern-day Balaam.
A question must be asked. “Why did Balaam disobey God by going with the men?” We do not have an answer in the book of Numbers, but we do have an answer in the word of God.
II Peter 2:15 – “Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.”
Peter gives us great insight into the story of Balaam, stating that Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness. When the “more honorable” men came to Balaam, they appealed to Balaam’s love for money. This brings me to my next point.
Third, false teachers are like Balaam because they love money. The key word when studying Balaam is “money.” Some false teachers are like Cain in that they have a wrong teaching on salvation. Some, however, are like Balaam because they have a wrong teaching concerning money. If you hear someone teach or preach, and their entire ministry centers around you giving them money, then they are false teachers, according to the word of God. Listen to Paul’s stern warning:
I Timothy 6:3-5 – “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”
Paul plainly marks those who “teach otherwise.” He states that the man who teaches contrary to godliness is proud, knowing nothing. He then gives us the chief characteristic of the man who teaches contrary to godliness – “supposing that gain is godliness,” Paul says. False teachers, like Balaam, associate “gain” with “godliness.” “Gain” is material blessing. “Gain” is money, wealth, riches, houses, lands, cars, clothes, and other material goods that money can buy. Paul said that those who teach contrary to godliness are teaching that “gain is godliness.” False teachers, according to the apostle Paul, teach that how godly you are can be seen by how much “gain” you have. “If you are really godly,” they say, “you will be rich.” This false gospel is propagated throughout the media church of today – and everyone who preaches it is nothing more than a modern-day Balaam who should be avoided.
Those who preach this false prosperity gospel preach it this way: “Give to my ministry,” they say, “and God will bless you!” “Give me one dollar, and God will give you ten.” Or perhaps they say, “Call right now with your gift of $_________, I will send you a handkerchief with my sweat on it.” All types of nonsense go along with this perverted gospel. I have no doubt that prosperity preachers believe in prosperity, but one thing is certain – they believe in their prosperity much more than they believe in yours. While they take advantage of people’s ignorant gullibility, they are getting rich. Any man who makes money by using the gospel to take advantage of people is a false teacher, a modern-day Balaam. Look at what Peter says regarding false teachers such as these:
II 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.”
Peter says that these false teachers “with feigned words make merchandise of you.” The word “feigned” means “fake.” They are as fake as a nine-dollar bill, and using their feigned words, they “make merchandise,” or “make money” of you.
Now, I understand that it takes money to have a radio ministry. I understand that it takes money to have a television ministry. But I also understand that God promises to provide every need. If God really called these men, He would take care of the finances without them having to beg for it. If the majority of their ministry is begging you to send them money, then they are not of God. Spending most of their time begging for money is not the same as preaching the gospel. If one reader of mine spends one red cent on these clowns, then I must tell you with love that you are displeasing the Lord. What did Paul say about those who teach that “gain is godliness”? Look at it again:
I Timothy 6:5 – “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF.”
If they are preaching a prosperity gospel, Paul said, “Withdraw thyself!” Get away from them! Do not support them! The further away you stay from these extortioners, the better off you will be.
Modern-Day Balaams*
I could name so many examples of preachers and teachers who fall under the category of modern-day Balaams. The so-called “faith movement” is full of them. Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Oral Roberts, E.W. Kenyon, Charles Capps, Frederick K.C. Price, Paul and Jan Crouch, and many others just like these fit into the category perfectly. For the sake of time, I will give only a couple examples of modern-day Balaams.
On January 4, 1987, Oral Roberts launched his most notorious campaign. He told his “prayer partners” that if he did not raise a total of $8 million by March, God was going to take his life. Some time later, Richard Roberts (Oral Roberts’ son) sent out letters to their followers. Richard writes, “Without the additional $4,500,000, God will not extend Dad’s life.” He goes on to say, “Partner, we cannot let this man of God die. There is no reason for him to die.” Richard goes on to show that this is not an idle threat. “When he [Oral Roberts] says God speaks to him, he’s not bluffing.” A casual Bible reader can easily see that this was nothing more than a money-making hoax.
Then, we have the “hundredfold return” bunch. In Gloria Copeland’s book God’s Will is Prosperity, she states the following:
Give one house and receive one hundred houses or one house worth one hundred times as much. Give one airplane and receive one hundred times the value of the airplane. Give one car and the return would furnish you a lifetime of cars. In short, Mark 10:30 is a very good deal.**
There is so much wrong with this, it is difficult to know where to start, or if I even should start. For one thing, Mark 10:30 deals with those who give everything for the kingdom of God. It does not apply to the one who “gives ten dollars” or who “gives one car.” It is taken so grossly out of context. To Gloria Copeland’s credit, somebody did receive a “hundredfold return.” Copeland’s listeners gave, and Kenneth and Gloria Copeland received the “hundredfold return.”
Mark 10:30 is not the only place in scripture where the “hundredfold return” is mentioned. It is also mentioned in Matthew 13. Jesus tells a parable about a sower who sows seed. Some seed falls among thorns, some by the wayside, and some on stony ground. Some, however, falls on good ground and brings forth fruit. Some of the seed that falls on good ground brings forth thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, and some a hundredfold. The seed in this parable, however, is not money. The seed is the word of God. The hundredfold return, therefore, has nothing whatsoever to do with money. To preach it that way is to take it grossly out of context.
I could write so much more regarding modern-day Balaams. I could write concerning the “point of contact” hoax, the “seed-faith” hoax, and so many other ways that these teachers “make merchandise of you,” as the apostle Peter puts it. There is no doubt that many teachers have run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward.
*Some from this section taken from Christianity in Crisis by Hank Hanegraaff. Harvest House Publishers. Eugene, OR. ©1993.
**Copeland, Gloria. God’s Will is Prosperity. Harrison House. Tulsa, OK. ©1978. p. 54.
