Have you taken a look at some of the programming on so-called “Christian” cable TV channels lately? While these channels supposedly carry Christian programs 24 hours a day, much of what they air is anything but that. In fact, it has more of a potential for negative impact on one’s spiritual life than does some of the godless stuff often found on the other channels.
The problem is all of those preachers who claim that the Christian life is supposed to be one of earthly prosperity. In order to activate the prosperity that’s coming to them, these preachers claim, people must first send in (to these preachers) what is called “seed money.” This will supposedly guarantee that God will send those donors riches either directly or through other people.
Those who have been contributing money for years, but haven’t gotten their riches yet (we’re talking about millions of people here), are urged to continue giving until it happens for them. These preachers will beg, plead, cry, and even occasionally use veiled threats of punishment from God in order to coax viewers into calling toll-free numbers and making donations.
All of this, of course, is complete heresy. Very few notions could be more unbiblical. The Bible says the Christian life is not an easy one. It is a life of cross-bearing, service, and obedience. Furthermore, God does not promise anyone riches or success for supporting His work.
Even if some of these preachers are using the money they collect for all the right causes, their tactics are wrong. They might feel, as TV preachers, that this is the best way to motivate people to support their ministries. But that doesn’t make it right. If a given ministry were in the will of God, He would make sure that it survived. However, a ministry that must comprise its principles and lower itself to ungodly methods in order to stay afloat does not deserve to survive.
Keep in mind that many of these preachers live a life of luxury – with multiple mansions and private jets – while their credulous contributors consist mainly of the lower middle class and poor. One day, God is going to judge these pastors for exploiting so many people and deceiving them into handing over the precious little of this world’s goods that they had. I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes on Judgment Day.
You might want to look at Luke 6:38 and 3 John 2. God is in the prospering business. This is Bible, and certainly NOT heresy. Abraham certainly wasn't poor, neither was Jesus. After all, Roman soldiers gambled for his clothes just before his death. Would they gamble for something that wasn't worth anything? Seems to me that a lot of folks who speak against prosperity are actually exuding false humility and a poverty spirit -- two things that are NOT good to propagate. I believe the presentation above was simplistic at best and partial truth at worst.
Posted by: Scott | April 30, 2009 at 07:24 PM