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Does God Tell People to Buy Jets?
Does God Tell People to Buy Jets?
Jesse Duplantis, a Louisiana based televangelist, claims God told him to buy a $54 million Dassault Falcon 7X Jet. He has owned three jets. He says he needs a better one so he can travel anywhere on the globe with only one stop to refuel, in order to preach to more people. He expects his followers to foot the bill.
Clearly, Duplantis is confused about how God works. God never told him to buy a jet. Here are three reasons I reached that conclusion:
1. God Doesn’t Support False Doctrine.
Charismatic ministers like Duplantis preach the prosperity gospel. Their central message is, “Give us money, and God will give you much more money in return.” That concept is unscriptural and materialistic.
The N.T. warns against false teachers who peddle God’s word (2 Cor. 2:17) and adapt their message to please men (2 Tim. 4:3-4). We can safely conclude, therefore, that God didn’t tell a false teacher to buy a jet to spread false doctrine.
2. God Doesn’t Grant Greedy Desires.
Duplantis’ desire for a fourth private jet is likely motivated, at least in part, by greed and pride. Sure, he says he needs it for the gospel’s sake, but I wonder if he says the same thing about his 35,000 square foot mansion! I can’t judge his heart; I have every right, however, to question it.
Ultimately, we must question our own heart. When you pray for physical blessings, what is your motive: God’s provision or your pleasure? If it’s the latter, God will not grant your requests (Jas. 4:3).
3. God Doesn’t Speak Directly to Us Today.
Emotional impulses differ from person to person. When we’re driven by subjective feelings, we have no solid standard for what to believe and practice (Jer. 10:23). Don’t mistake your own fleeting thoughts for God’s voice.
In the Bible, God spoke directly to relatively few characters—men like Moses, Elijah, and Paul. You and I are not in their category. Neither is Jesse Duplantis.
Besides, the age of apostles and prophets has passed (cf. 1 Cor. 13:8-11). Today God speaks to us, not directly, but through His Word. He has fully revealed His will in Scripture, which makes us “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
We don’t need to hear God’s audible voice. We simply need to listen to what He says in the Bible, make application of His instructions in every aspect of our lives, and follow His Word as a lamp unto our feet (Psa. 119:105).
Does God tell people to buy jets? No—not unless you can find it somewhere in the Bible!
