|
"MODERN DAY MONEY CHANGERS -By David Ravenhill
"I'm convinced that the carnal, cunning, conniving, crooked crooks that Jesus drove out of the Temple are still among us today. These modern day moneychangers are forever devising new and deceptive doctrines to defraud God's people out of His/their money. These masters of deceit have now set up their changing tables throughout the "Christian" television industry.
I'm absolutely certain that if Jesus returned today He would walk into the vast majority of these television studios and overthrow the cameras, lights, monitors, and soundboards. He would unplug the microphones and scatter the makeup colors around as He went about destroying the stages and backdrops. Several years ago now, a nationally known prophetic voice was told by the Lord, "I'm sick and tired of the prosperity message." If that was true then, how much more today. As far back as 1986, the top seven media evangelists took in over 750 million Dollars. Now with the increased manipulation of 'seed faith teaching' that amount has no doubt been dwarfed by comparison.
Only a few days ago I was appalled as I watched and listened as Pastor Steve---------------- zealously twisted and distorted the Scriptures to his own advantage. This 'brother' dared to distort the most sacred truth of all Scripture. He used The Day Of Atonement, that day when Jesus Christ the Lamb of God shed His blood for the sins of the world, to teach that how we give financially determines how God will respond to us throughout the coming year. My blood boiled as I listened. This 'brother' had finally crossed the line and was now on the verge of blaspheming the atoning work of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, not to mention lining his own pockets with the proceeds. He might as well been selling indulgences by inferring that God's favor toward us was based on our giving rather than God's unmerited grace and forgiveness through the gift of His Son. What made matters worse was that this same 'charlatan' was the guest of one of the nation's best known charismatic personalities. Within a day or so he was teaching the same message on a local Christian telethon. Neither the evangelist nor the network sought to correct his aberrant teaching - after all, the show must go on and that takes money, so how you raise it doesn't seem to matter anymore.
Why does almost every single Christian program have to end with some type of 'seed faith teaching'? If these men and women of faith really believed what they taught, they would practice what they preach and teach; after all what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Imagine how shocked you would be if your favorite televangelist and covenant partner were to send you a check in their next mailing for the amount of $1000.00 with a personal note telling you he/she just wanted to sow into your life. Perhaps then I could believe that these men/women really believe and practice what they teach. Not only that, but they would never have to appeal for money again as God's return to them would result in a hundred-fold increase. At least that's what they would have us believe.
On a recent ministry trip to the Northwest, I was told by a pastor friend that his church had received a call from a well known and 'anointed' teacher in the Body of Christ. The caller was asking them for a contribution towards the purchase of a jet for their ministry. What a far cry from what the Apostle Paul taught when he prefaced his teaching on 'sowing, and reaping' with these words; "For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality." (2 Corinthians 8:13-14).
Many pastors measure their success in terms of numbers - the larger the church the more successful their ministry. Itinerant ministries, not being able to brag about size, seem to fall for the notion that having one's own jet is how success is determined. (Once it was the Rolex watch). By the way, if you love and appreciate this fine teacher, pray that he won't get the desires of his heart - it will only lead to the leanness of his soul.
This is one man's attempt to appeal to the Body of Christ. Stop pandering to these moneychangers. These men and women live like kings (and Queens), while spending your money to buy mansions and jets for themselves. They dine in the finest restaurants, wear the latest designer fashions and then have the audacity to tell you that you can live the same way as long as you give to their ministry.
I opened my Bible the other day to Zechariah's wonderful prophecy concerning the first coming of Jesus, our great and glorious King. Listen to his words; "Behold your King is coming to you; he is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt the foal of a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9) What a far cry from the televangelist who comes high and mighty and traveling on his own jet!
If you are as sick and tired as I am about this waste of God's money, then for heaven's sake STOP SUPPORTING THESE PEOPLE. Give money to your local church. There are tens of thousands of needy missionaries who barely have enough support to keep themselves alive. They are laboring long and hard under some of the most difficult and trying conditions. They would rejoice at the thought of an extra 10-30 dollars a month support. These are the real heroes of whom the world is not worthy. Help put these MONEY LOVING TELEVANGELISTS OUT OF BUSINESS and save another MISSIONARY FROM EXTINCTION. Together we can make it happen. Please, forward this to as many people as you know.
BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD..,JER.17:7.
RICHARD DIZIK OF NAE SAYS CHRISTIANS CAN VOTE FOR PRO-CHILD KILLING POLITICIANS
MEDIA ADVISORY, Dec. 3 /Christian Newswire/ - Richard Cizik, VP for Governmental Affairs at the National Association of Evangelicals appeared on the Fresh Air program on National Public Radio on Tuesday. When asked who he voted for in the election, Cizik announced he had voted for Barack Obama in the Virginia primary, and said that the vote should give some indication of how he voted in the general election. He went further and said that evangelicals could vote for a pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage politician even though they disagree on those issues.
Ingrid Schlueter, co-host of the nationally syndicated Crosstalk Radio Talk Show hit these statements head on today on the show. "The issue is not one of partisan politics. As Christians, the question when voting is never, 'Is the candidate a democrat or Republican?' The question for (true) Christians regarding candidates always involves first things. The role of government id to protect its citizens. What candidate will try to stop the bloodshed of the innocent children, 50 million of which have already died?" said Schlueter.
"Richard Cizik seems more concerned about impressing NPR's liberal audience with his broad-mindedness than being faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ. As and adoptive parent of two children given life by their birth mothers, I find it abhorrent that Mr. Cizik would sanction Christian support for the most radically pro-abortion President in the history of the nation. The moral anarchy in America worsens daily largely due to the refusal of "evangelical" Christians to stand for biblical truth in all areas of life. Those who are at war with God, the author of life, should be publicly confronted by evangelical Christians. Instead, they are aided and abetted in their evil by craven leaders like Cizik. Those pastors and churches that stand for the unchanging truth of God's Word and the sanctity of human life should resoundingly rebuke Mr. Cizik and Leith Anderson, the President of NAE for their abandonment of the pre-born today."
True Christans and Bible Students know that there are many false teachers and prophets roaming around on the earth. By their fruits you will know them!
|
|