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Does that statement sound
strange? Not really. Not in this day and age. It's everywhere! Everything is
about profit and the Christian church does not seem to be exempt. Preachers
on every Christian television channel are exploiting the word of God in a
perverted way and manipulating people as to get their money.
You can be healed of
"anything" order that new book now for only $29.95. Or, For your "love
gift" of $10.00 or more, they'll send you a prayer cloth, prayed over by the
head honcho himself and dipped in the Jordan river.
Sound familiar? Actually,
for this to be more accurate, it should read: "Prayed over by "me" and the
other people Jesus threw out of the temple after he overturned our tables!"
You will be told, "but we
need your donations to reach the millions of people in Bongo, Bongo, with
our television ministry!" There's an old saying and it's still true. "Word
of mouth is the best advertisement". Did you ever hear of "Azusa Street?"
We need to pay for the new wing on
the church for the children's ministry. (just charge it) I'm
not sure God likes being put in debt!
If you can afford a 1 or 2
million dollar church, Wonderful! God has blessed you and has a
purpose for that building. If you have to finance a 1 or 2 million dollar
church, you have become a slave to "money" and put the Lord in debt!
Many rich and powerful
ministries have portrayed God as a beggar! Even the passing of the
offering plate is tacky and often times people are made to feel intimidated
if they don't add to it, for fear of wrath or punishment from God. Others
give only because they expect a return on their investment.
In the
temple there was a collection or offering "box" people would deposit their
money in discretion if they wished, not where everyone could see what they
do, or do not put in.
The moment a church has to
worry about paying the mortgage or making the payment, they are serving
"money" not God. If one would argue "That is Faith" I would say, use the
same Faith and wait for God to allow you to pay cash! Almost every lesson
God teaches you requires patience.
When the mortgage payment is due,
you can expect the monthly sermon about tithing and allot of guilt, if you
don't tithe. There will be the book or seminar that "YOU - ABSOLUTELY NEED"
if you are a Christian and want to be saved. (For a price) No
longer Gods free gift - You paid for it!!
The spirit of God should be so
strong in a church that people look forward to giving. "God loves the
hilarious giver" Give because you are so blown away that God loves you so
much, not because your afraid God will punish you if you don't. (He
won't)
Give what is in your heart
to give. Do not give out of guilt or the false promise that God will shower
you with riches if you do. Gods house should be used to worship together and
to hear the word of God.
There is nothing wrong with giving
generously to the Church, as long as they are spreading the true gospel of
Jesus Christ. Especially the message that you are "Set Free". Tithing is one
of the many things you were set free from! Give because your heart tells you
to give, not because anyone else told you to.
If the Church has a bake sale in
the foyer, then go buy a cake if it pays the Churches bills. However, don't
buy anything when it's advertised as "You Need This" if you want to be
saved, be healed, get a miracle, get closer to God, or anything similar.
"Those things" should be free!
If you are giving to a ministry
where the preacher is riding in an expensive car or even a limousine and
living in a mansion, you'd be better off finding a poor person to give your
money too in secret. (God will see it, and he will reward you)
God does not mind when a person who
preaches the gospel, makes their living off the gospel. However, when one
smooth talking person hoards millions of dollars, that could have gone to
help the poor, it's probable that neither the giver or receiver of the funds
will receive a reward from God!
If you buy the pie at the bake
sale, you don't buy it because it will heal you or make you rich. You do it
to support the Church. Similarly, don't purchase the book for that reason
either.
The bottom line is: If it
is for sale, It's probably not God selling it!
God Bless You
Dan Douglass
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