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by PastorD from Heavens Gate

Last Post 4 days, 16 hours Ago


What Does The Bible Say About The Prosperity Gospel?
Dec 11, 2007 | 7:19 AM
Category: News
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Several  "Mega Church"  leaders have recently been in the news and are under investigation regarding possible outrageous expenditures.  Among them are Paula and Randy White,  TD Jakes, Joyce Myers, Dr. C. Dollar in Atlanta, and Kenneth Copeland.

I am glad that the US Senate Committee on Finance are finally after these people.  These people give good pastors a bad name!  While most churches sruggle to give their pastors a decent cost of living raise, these money grubbers who evidently realize their reward won't be in Heaven, so they're trying to collect here, and as fast as they can rake it in!  The White's should consider renaming their church "Without Souls",  instead of "Without Walls".

So what does the Bible say about the prosperity gospel?  I'm providing some Biblical answers...

First let me say, that God does want his people to be blessed and prosper. While it's generally true obedience and faithful stewardship lead to prosperity, the truth is, it just dosen't always work out that way...  If one examines Proverbs, which is a collection of wisdom sayings, observations about how God's world works.  In other words, the Proverbs are principles (how things normally go) rather than promises.  John 16:33A clearly warns of troubles.

In "Word Faith" religion the believer is told to use God,  whereas the truth of Biblical Christianity is just the opposite.  God uses the believer.  Word Faith or prosperity theology sees the Holy Spirit as a power to put to use for WHATEVER the believer wills.  The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is a person who enables the believer to do God's will.  The movement CLOSELY resembles some of the destructive greed sects that inflitrated the early church. Paul and the other apostles were NOT accomodating to or conciliatory with the false teachers who propagted such heresy.  They identified them as dangerous false teachers and urges Christians to avoid them!

Paul warned Timothy about "constant friction between men of depraved  mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perserverance and gentleness.  (1 Timothy 6:5, 9-11).

It is not my intent to bash anyones ministry.  The people I have mentioned do support a lot of ministries...  However, if you look at Paula White's web page, you will see a box that states, "Donate Now, Sow A Seed With Your Online Gift".  She can definately preach a powerful message. I just find myself questioning if HER message is a "Pull for God" or a "Pull for Purse strings"?????

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RandyLoo read my blog view my photos
Dec 11, 2007 | 11:45 AM

Pull for purse string...end of story..
and hypocrite I might add.
RandyLoo read my blog view my photos
Dec 11, 2007 | 12:18 PM

The White's gave TD Jakes a Bentley as a gift.
Tell me, does he get to drive it to heaven? These People are the biggest scam artists of all.
Vittorio read my blog view my photos
Dec 11, 2007 | 4:13 PM

"It is not my intent to bash anyones ministry."


I'll do it for you if you wish. My wife and I tried six churches in the Inverness area before finding one that suited us. Some were too informal with folks eating and drinking during the service. The other extreme was a Pastor who told us that unless we gave ten percent of our earnings to the church we would go to hell.

We now try to attend Church weekly and are proud to lend our time, energy and support. Not bad for an old Pagan, is it? All gods are one God.
PastorD read my blog view my photos
Dec 11, 2007 | 5:49 PM

I have always warned people about these types of ministies..... To me, any church, that pushes people to "Sow a Seed" to be blessed, and encourages them to do it by a charge card are UNETHICAL!

I think the White's are going to end up with their plastic surgery melting.... And Jakes better enjoy the ride now, because his Bently will never make it up the road to heaven. He will end up seeing a sign marked "Road Closed"!

It's just a shame that people get sucked into these types of churches.... There are lots of good preachers, who run ethical churches and are not ruled by greed.

I suppose these people get my "Black Eye On America" Award!

Vitt, I commend you on your search for a good church. Many people would have given up all together. I suppose that it proves some people will continue to seek God. With the "Crappy" examples people get to witness on the news, I consider THAT a blessing.

Thanks for your thoughts....
yellowdog read my blog view my photos
Dec 11, 2007 | 6:50 PM

The "seed sowers" are numerous and since it works, you see more moderate preachers using the hook.

The obvious frauds, Tilton, the Whites and the guy with the slick hair, all prey on the weak and desperate. Same can be said for many "healing" ministries....( I believe in laying on of hands and have felt the healing powers of the Holy Ghost personaly, so I do not dispute it is real when used appropriately). Lots of tent revival "healers" have been proven to be frauds and even communicate with their cohearts via hidden microphones and ear pieces.

The seed stuff works of enrich the frauds, but the judgement for these "false prophets" is waiting. When Saint Peter opens the pearly gates it will only be to put these devils onto the elevator to hades.
For_The_People read my blog
Dec 11, 2007 | 7:54 PM

After my fathers death, my mom started sending checks to the 700 Club. It took us quite a while and mom sending several thousand dollars for the family to convince her that her money would be put to better use elsewhere! IMHO all this religous organizations that ask you to send them money are a scam! Did Jesus and the 12 ask for money? Preach because you want to spread the word, not because you want to make money!
For_The_People read my blog
Dec 11, 2007 | 7:57 PM

Vit...I take it you attend church in a "of sound mind state" without having partaken of the herbs before? LMAO

Just wondering how intense it would be to hear a sermon stoned?
For_The_People read my blog
Dec 11, 2007 | 8:12 PM

Typo= these
PastorD read my blog view my photos
Dec 12, 2007 | 7:07 AM

YD, Benny Hinn is one of the ones who really make me mad when it comes to "Healing Ministries". This guy is the biggest fraud out there. The Bible says in Deut that you will know a false prophet when that which they speak, does NOT come to pass. Deut 18: 21-22 - (20) But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or speaks in the name of other gods that prophet shall die. (21) And if you say in heart, how shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken? (22) When the prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing Does Not come happen or come to pass....
PastorD read my blog view my photos
Dec 12, 2007 | 7:18 AM

This creep gets away with it because he goes from place to place. He spews all kinds of stuff and people get roped into the "excitement" of it all. The fact is none of them remember what he SAYS, so they don't realize it NEVER comes to pass. He has preached all kinds of stuff that was suppose to happen by a certain date....

I am not saying all healing ministries are frauds, but MOST are. We recently had a women who was healed of cancer with documented proof.

I call him "Side Show Benny". His jet comes in, he sets up his planted people in the house, rakes in the cash from poor and ill people and then flies out quicker then he came in. Hope he enjoys his cars and mansions now, because there will be no room for him in God's MANSION!
Vittorio read my blog view my photos
Dec 12, 2007 | 7:50 AM

For FTP: Everything is more intense when you're stoned. Funerals are a bummer.
RandyLoo read my blog view my photos
Dec 12, 2007 | 8:21 AM

Can you imagine if all the organized religions took only half of what wealth they have amassed and put that to caring for the sick, poor, widows, and orphans? Can you imagine? There probably would not be so great a need for the government to be in the business of charity. The government should not have to do what the church and its followers were commanded to do. That goes for all faiths not just Judaism or Christianity.
Vittorio read my blog view my photos
Dec 12, 2007 | 4:07 PM

Randy, you have one hell of a fantasy life. It's a shame what organized religions get away with and they've been doing it for 5000 years. When the Pope dies, I'm getting in the employment line. First thing I'll order is a change in Papal fashion.
RandyLoo read my blog view my photos
Dec 12, 2007 | 5:37 PM

You are right Vit. But if the one giving the alms do not question where it goes or who is helped with it..then why do they give? I could never figure that one out. I know there are small churches that are barely supporting a pastor and the building in which they worship I know they struggle just to keep the doors open. I do not berate them in the least. But the mega church buildings, huge cathedrals, vast fortunes, the pastors running around bedecked with jewels and investment portfolios and real Estate holdings up their whazoo...why would anyone even drop a penny in those coffers?
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PastorD

I would consider myself a conservative republican, who gets annoyed with double standard positions. I am a childrens pastor so I am governed by a moral compass. I feel the world would be a better place if all people would be more mindful of implementing and acting in a moral way.

Member Since: 4/16/2007


 

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