No — God does not promise material wealth to believers in the age of grace.
In the church age, the Church is a heavenly people with heavenly promises, and material reward is not attached to spiritual obedience. Les Feldick teaches that God does not guarantee rich living to believers, although He also does not require poverty. Believers can expect God's blessings and a satisfying life, regardless of whether they are rich or poor.
Deuteronomy 28:1 — Shows God's material promise to Israel was conditional on obedience, not an unconditional promise to all believers.
Romans 8:31 — The verse people often misuse to claim God's favor means earthly luxury; Les corrects this misunderstanding.
Scripture records an Old Testament promise in which God told Israel: "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth" (Deuteronomy 28:1). The word "if" makes this blessing conditional on Israel's obedience. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul asks, "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). Paul also writes that if any provide not for his own, especially those of his own house, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel (1 Timothy 5:8). These passages show that Old Testament material blessing was conditional, and New Testament teaching focuses on God's being for believers and on faithful provision for family.
Les Feldick is clear: "there are no material promises connected with the church age." He explains that the New Testament does not reward spiritual effort with physical and material things the way the Old Testament economy did. For Israel, obedience could bring earthly wealth — Abram, Jacob, Job, David, and Solomon are examples — but the Church is a heavenly people with heavenly promises. Les pushes back against the prosperity message on one side and the poverty message on the other. God does not mandate that believers be poor, but it is not in the cards for every believer to automatically become a millionaire. He says he cannot teach that giving, praying, and being obedient obligates God to make someone rich. Romans 8:31 does not mean that becoming a believer brings a bed of roses, two Cadillacs, or the biggest home in town. At the same time, wealth is not wrong if God sees fit to give it. Paul made clear that a person who does not provide for his family is worse than an infidel. What believers are promised is a satisfying life and heavenly blessings now, with a future of ruling in the heavenlies.
In the Old Testament, God's earthly promises to Israel included material prosperity. In Deuteronomy 28:1, the LORD told Israel that if they diligently obeyed His commandments, He would set them on high above all nations of the earth. Les uses this to show that material blessings under the old economy were tied to obedience, and he points to Abram, Jacob, Job, Isaac, David, and Solomon as wealthy men whom God blessed with earthly promises.
No. Les says, "Nowhere in our church-age doctrine are we promised that simply because we're obedient to God and we're faithful in all the things that God will reward us financially, materially." He rejects the teaching that believers will automatically become millionaires. God can bless financially if He sees fit, but it is not a guaranteed part of New Testament teaching.
When Paul writes, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Les says too many believers think this means everything will be a bed of roses — two Cadillacs in the garage and the biggest home in town. That is not what the verse means. The thing that really counts is the eternal realm of the Spirit. Even believers can face prison, famine, and affliction, but God is for us in the things that matter eternally.
Les makes clear that God does not mandate poverty for believers. If God sees fit to give wealth, that is fine. There is nothing wrong with establishing an estate and providing for children. Paul even says a person who does not provide for his family is worse than an infidel. The issue is not having wealth; it is making wealth the priority rather than trusting God's heavenly promises.
Old Testament Blessing Required Obedience
Les shows from Deuteronomy 28:1 that Israel's promise to be set on high above the nations was conditional on obedience to God's commandments.
No Material Promises for the Church
Les states directly that there are no material promises connected with the church age and the New Testament does not reward spiritual effort with physical things.
Both Extremes Rejected
Les says God does not mandate poverty for believers, but he also rejects the claim that believers will automatically become millionaires.
Obedience Does Not Guarantee Millionaire Status
Les refuses to teach that "if you are obedient, if you give, if you pray," God will make you a millionaire; blessings may come, but not always materially.
Romans 8:31 Misunderstood
Les corrects the idea that being a believer means a bed of roses, two Cadillacs, and the biggest home in town; that is not what Scripture has ever meant.
Heavenly Promises for the Church
Les contrasts the wealth of Israel's kings with the Church, whose promises are heavenly and whose future is ruling in the heavenlies.
Suffering Is Possible for Believers
Les reminds believers they may face prison or famine even though God is for us; the eternal and spiritual realm is what truly matters.
Wealth Is Not Prohibited
Les explains that church-age doctrine promises no material reward, but if God sees fit to grant wealth, it is fine, and providing for family is a biblical responsibility.
Deuteronomy 28:1: And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
Shows the Old Testament's material blessing to Israel was conditional on obedience.
Romans 8:31: What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
A verse Les uses to warn against expecting earthly luxury from God's favor.
1 Timothy 5:8: But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
The verse behind Les's reminder that providing for one's family is important, not a promise of riches.
No. Les says there are no material promises connected with the church age, and he cannot teach that obedience, giving, and prayer obligate God to make someone a millionaire.
No. Les says God does not mandate that believers be poor as paupers. God is not against wealth; He just does not promise it as a reward for spiritual faithfulness.
Believers can expect God's blessings and a satisfying life, but those blessings are not always material. The Church is promised heavenly things, and the future is ruling in the heavenlies.
No. Les says being a believer does not mean a bed of roses. Believers could face prison, famine, and affliction; what counts is the eternal and spiritual realm.
Watch the Teaching: Why God Commanded Israel to Destroy Entire Nations — Deuteronomy 7